The Smyrnean Church Age

Intro

Text - Revelation 2.8-11

Revelation 2:8–11 NASB 2020

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: 9 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the slander by those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’

Title - The Smyrnean Church Age

Background

Smyrna, the city

Ancient city on the west coast of Asia Minor, situated at the head of the gulf into which the Hermus River flows. Smyrna was located 40 miles north of Ephesus on the border between Aeolis to the north and Ionia to the south (Yamauchi, New Testament, 55). The site of ancient Smyrna is the present-day Turkish city of Izmir.

Smyrna, the local church

Eerdmans Bible Dictionary SMYRNA

The Christian community in Smyrna may have begun from Paul’s work in Ephesus (Acts 19:9–10). The letter to the church in Smyrna (Rev 2:8–11) suggests that this group of Christians was poor, that it came into conflicts with the Jewish community of the city (v. 9), and was likely to experience some form of official persecution (v. 10). Continued Jewish-Christian animosity underlies the account of the A.D. 156 martyrdom of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna.

Smyrna, the church age

Roy Gingrich - a.d. 100 - 313

Clarence Larkin - a.d. 170 - 312

William Branham - a.d. 170 - 312

the star messenger - Ireneaus

The Salutation - Rev 2.8

Revelation 2:8 NASB 2020

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:

Jesus introduces Himself to the church as -

the First and the Last

this is self designation of God to Israel - Isaiah 44.6

Isaiah 44:6 NASB 2020

6 “This is what the Lord says, He who is the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of armies: ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.

Isaiah 48:12 NASB 2020

12 “Listen to Me, Jacob, Israel whom I called; I am He, I am the first, I am also the last.

this title means “the only One to all eternity”

Jesus claims the same title - Rev 1.17

Revelation 1:17 NASB 2020

17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,

Jesus was identifying Himself as God Himself -

Revelation 1:8 NASB 2020

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 22:12–13 NASB 2020

12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

alpha and omega - “from A to Z” He is everything

first and last - the only One

beginning and end - the One who started it all in creation, and the One who will bring it all together

He who was dead, and has come to life

Jesus was identifying as the Son of God the was made flesh

Jesus reminds the church of His victory over sin and death

this introduction has something to do with Smyrna’s condition

Commendation - Rev 2.9

Revelation 2:9 NASB 2020

9 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the slander by those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Smyrna’s tribulation - the persecutions she suffered in the hands of Caesars and the so-called Jews

Smyrna’s poverty - the church was poor economically, but rich in faith

in contrast with Laodicea - “rich but poor”

Imperial Persecutions during this age -

began with Nero in AD 64 and ended with Diocletian in AD 303 and lasted 10 years until AD 313

the reason for persecutions - personal, political reasons

extent and nature of persecution

64 - 250 - mostly local and moderate

250-313 - widespread and violent

10 imperial persecutions

under Nero - AD 64/67

under Domitian - AD 81

under Trajan - AD 108

under Marcus Aurelius - AD 162

under Severus - AD 192

under maximus - AD 235

under Valerian - AD 257

under Aurelian - AD 274

under Diocletian - AD 303

in the west - 303 - 306

in the east - 303 - 313

Diocletian was determined to eradicate Christians in order to unite the mepire

The slander of the so-called Jews

The claim to be “Jews” -

one who claims to be obedient to the laws of God

one who claims to have true knowledge of the word of God

one who claims to be a worshiper of God

Romans 2:17–23 NASB 2020

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and distinguish the things that matter, being instructed from the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to people who are blind, a light to those in darkness, 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, possessing in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth— 21 you, therefore, who teach someone else, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one is not to steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one is not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who loathe idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?

Romans 2:28–29 NASB 2020

28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God.

The synagogue of Satan

what is a synagogue

a synagogue is a place where people gather for religious purpose

a synagogue is the congregation that come together in one place to read and listen to the Word of God

synagogue of Satan -

false gathering, false worshippers

their worship is not for God, but for Satan and by Satan

Revelation 3:9 NASB 2020

9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.

God will put them to shame before the true believers of God

The synagogue of Satan are the so-called Christian congregations that are no longer obedient to the apostolic faith.

Dead, formal worship

A History of the Christian Church Section VIII: Gentile Christianity of the Second Century

Christians looked upon themselves as a separated people, a new race, the true Israel, whose citizenship was no longer in the Roman Empire, though they prayed for its welfare and that of its ruler, but in the heavenly Jerusalem. They are the church “which was created before the sun and moon,” “and for her sake the world was framed.”3

A History of the Christian Church Section VIII: Gentile Christianity of the Second Century

Christian life was ascetic and legalistic. Wednesday and Friday were fasts, which were called “stations,” as of soldiers of Christ on guard. The Lord’s Prayer was repeated thrice daily.8 “Fasting is better than prayer, but almsgiving than both.” Second marriage was discouraged.10 Simple repentance is not sufficient for forgiveness, there must be satisfaction. A Christian can even do more than God demands—works of supererogation—and will receive a corresponding reward.

these are the beginnings of dead, formal worship, centered on the celebration of the mass (communion)

Church authority was centered on the Bishop

According to Ignatius - the bishop is to be obeyed just as Jesus obeyed the Father

According to Clement - the bishop of Rome is by apostolic succession

The “Old Catholic Church” was formed around 150 and 160 AD

this was in part the result of the rise of Gnosticism and Montanism

first to organize around theauthority of bishop

first to have credal standard

first possess authoritative canon of Scripture

A History of the Christian Church Section IV: The Catholic Church

The word “Catholic” is first used of the church by Ignatius, who employed it in the wholly untechnical sense of “universal.” It is next to be found in the letter of the Church of Smyrna, describing the martyrdom of Polycarp (156), where it is difficult to decide whether the use is technical or not. Its employment as a technically descriptive adjective gradually became common, so that the strongly consolidated church that came out of the Gnostic and Montanist crises is now usually described as the “Old Catholic.

A History of the Christian Church Section IV: The Catholic Church

This Old Catholic Church developed its distinguishing characteristics between 160 and 190. The hitherto relatively independent congregations were now knit into an effective union. The power of the bishops was greatly strengthened, a collection of authoritative New Testament Scripture recognized, and a creed formulated. Comparatively loosely organized Christianity now became a rigid corporate body, having recognized official leaders and capable not merely of defining its faith, but of shutting out from its communion all who did not accept its creed or its officers.

Additionally -

churches acquired property to build houses of worship

sacred festival began to be observed

Easter

Ascension Day

Pentecost

Epiphany a

Christmas

Religious pictures and emblems appeared in churches

Baptism and the Lord’s supper became more elaborate and mysterious rituals

baptism was conducted only after the new convert has received full instruction

confirmation became a separate occasion from baptism

The Complaint - none

Surprisingly, Jesus had no complaint with the church in Smyrnean age .

The Warning - Rev 2.10

Revelation 2:10 NASB 2020

10 ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Christ’s warning is connected with the persecutions that the age was going through

the 10 days of tribulation probably points to the 10 years of violent persecution under Diocletian

Be faithful to the end

the saints were ready to die for Christ and for their faith

just like the OT saints - Hebrews 11.13

Hebrews 11:13 NASB 2020

13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

The Promise - Rev 2.11

Revelation 2:11 NASB 2020

11 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’

Victory comes in different forms - even death !

the Second Death is the lake of fire

Revelation 20:14–15 NASB 2020

14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

natural death can never change the believer's destination

The overcomers of the age are delivered from having to stand before the great white throne judgment!

Conclusion

What our takeaway in this part of church history?

If you are going through tribulation becausefor your faith -

face your tribulation with courage - Rev 2.10 “10 ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Don’t let your poverty hinder you in becoming rich in good works! Even when you don’t have much -

be a giver, be a helper

find someone to help

invest in the life of others

Smyrna was poor but rich!

Make sure you are a true believer, a real worshiper of God

don’t be a synagogue of Satan

make sure of your calling and election

get the proofs

keep them

and display them

SONG - I WILL OVERCOME

I will triumph in the trials

I will glory in the cross

I will stand upon the mountain

walk through the fire untouched

Though the world may rise against me

My strength is in the Lord

I will be an overcomer

For He has overcome the world