Christ's Letter to Smyrna
Notes
Transcript
Intro: Some subjects are easier than others to talk about. I like talking about being strong in doctrine, strong in good works, and things like that.
Among my least favourite topics is spiritual opposition. I know it is real. I have seen it, experienced it and have counselled many who are dealing with it.
Today we look at a church who was facing strong persecution and oppression from demonic origins. We know this because Jesus tells us so. As we study this passage, we may be feeling the oppression too, or God may just be giving us information for something we will face in the future. Whatever the case, we know that:
Theme: The Lord knows what is going on and where we need to be as a church.
Theme: The Lord knows what is going on and where we need to be as a church.
Christ revealed
Christ revealed
Jesus continues to tell us things about himself.
First and last 1.7
First and last 1.7
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
Nothing was before He existed and nothing will outlast Him!
Dead and now alive. 1.18
Dead and now alive. 1.18
Most often the other way around.
Sets up that He understands persecution to the point of death.
Great verse for JW’s, Muslims and others
Background
Background
Smyrna means “Bitter” or “myrrh”
located a 70k north of Ephesus
Home of Polycarp who was martyred in 168AD who served as pastor there.
a wealthy city that rivalled Ephesus in beauty and commerce.
It had well-planned harbours and a beautifully farmed countryside surrounded by seven hills.
It was filled with the pagan temples of Apollo, Aphrodite, Emperor Tiberius, and Zeus and others.
It was a free city.
Smyrna was famous for its world-leading school of medicine.
The church is thought to be a church plant from Ephesus.
Pleasing to Christ
Pleasing to Christ
Jesus knows! He can see what is happening and because of his time on earth can relate.
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
They bear with tribulation
They bear with tribulation
they were fed to lions, crucified, killed by wild dogs, tarred, burned at the stake, and boiled in oil. The famous Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, was burned at the stake in the arena at Rome. It was nonChristian religious people who prosecuted him in the courts and then personally carried the wood to light the fires.
persecution perspectives
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
Satan is behind the persecution!
The persecution for 10 days may refer to the 10 great persecutions the early church endured (not my preferred view), or the 10 more years of the current Roman Emperor, or possibly a literal 10 days from when they receive the letter. Scripture does not tell us.
For those who think about numerology - 10 is the number for world power in Scripture.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Jesus never tries to hide the fact that life lived for Him may be very hard. He says we should expect hardship; not a prosperity gospel.
They live with poverty well
They live with poverty well
They suffered abject poverty as a result of their uncompromising commitment to Christ. History shows they were likely denied employment, Christian shop owners were boycotted, and their homes robbed and vandalised.
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
It has been said manny times, “There are both poor rich people and rich poor people in God’s sight.” Trench
They stand on separation.
They stand on separation.
Separation has 2 forms.
1. We seperate from the ways of the world as God’s people and citizens of heaven.
2. We seperate from those who are constantly teach us a wrong view of God and faith in Him. Here it is Jews that are leading the persecution.
Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;
Unpleasing to Christ
Unpleasing to Christ
There is no direct criticism in this text. Criticism during persecution would be a double blow.
They saw themselves poor when Christ saw them as rich.
They saw themselves poor when Christ saw them as rich.
Revelation 2:9 (NKJV)
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); ...
It is hard to see ourselves the way Christ sees us! Often, out of humility, we see ourselves as poor when He sees us as rich.
What is the church “To Do”?
What is the church “To Do”?
Do not fear people.
Do not fear people.
Revelation 2:10 (NKJV)
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. . .
Fear makes them question if they should be faithful to death
Be faithful even if it means death.
Be faithful even if it means death.
Revelation 2:10 (NKJV)
. . . Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Promises from Christ
Promises from Christ
Revelation 2:10 (ESV)
... and I will give you the crown of life.
The Crown of Life
Often called the martyr's crown, given to those who are "faithful till the moment of death".
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
A crown is the mark of a conqueror
No second death
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Not by ANY MEANS, will they be hurt!
Augustine said, “The life of the damned is death.” How horrible to live a life of death, and then die - not to annihilation or eternal sleep, but to torment for your lifelong rejection of God and His ways
Smyrna (meaning myrrh) yielded its sweet perfume in being bruised even to death. Myrrh was used in embalming dead bodies (Jn 19:39
Conclusion: The Lord knows what is going on and where we need to be as a church.
Conclusion: The Lord knows what is going on and where we need to be as a church.
POLYCARP’S noble words to his heathen judges who wished him to recant, are well known: “Fourscore and six years have I served the Lord, and He never wronged me, how then can I blaspheme my King and Saviour?”
Wiersbe says, “ The Church has always been the purest and most fragrant when it was going through times of suffering.”
The Christians in Smyrna underwent crushing per-secution, but throughout their experience they emitted the fragrance of Christ. Poor though they were, they were rich in spiritual blessings. Because of their faithful commitment to Christ, this church lived a victorious life. Christians today who are undergoing trials for their faith can glean encouragement, strength, and comfort from the testimony of this church. Lawson, Steven J., Final Call (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1994),
Q1. Are you rich or are you poor from God’s perspective?
Q2. When times are hard, do we buy the lie that God does not know what is happening in our life?
Q3. Are we fully convinced that the crown of life is worth it’s cost?