The Persecuted Church
Notes
Transcript
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write…
The Destination
The Destination
The church of Smyrna is mentioned nowhere else in Scripture outside of Revelation 1-2. All we know from Scripture is what we see here before us. It is presumed that this church was started during Paul’s missionary journey through the region by either himself or some of his disciples.
The Greek word translated “Smyrna” was used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew word for myrrh, a resinous substance used as a perfume for the living (
The representation of myrrh is perfect to describe this church. Myrrh came from a plant. It wonderful smell only came about when one took it and crushed it. It was in its crushing that it gave off such a wonderful aroma. We read here about how Smyrna was persecuted heavily, but Christ commends them for suffering well. It was during their crushing that they put off the most pleasant aroma.
Myrrh was used when embalming an individual at death. This too speaks to the countless number of Christians who were persecuted and killed at Smyrna during this time.
Some have speculated that it was during this time the symbol of the fish came about (explain in detail).
The Description
The Description
8 “… ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
Jesus reiterates the description that He had given to John in Rev. 1:17-18:
17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore…
This description is fitting, seeing that these people are facing death on a regular basis. Death is the ultimate price to pay to prove one’s faith in something. It is also the ultimate test to see if one is genuine. Jesus is reassuring the people of this church that He understands their predicament...literally. He has been where they are. He too laid down His life for the sake of truth and righteousness. But He wants them to know that death is not the end. It is the end of the body, but the spirit goes on to be with God. Death is but the last thing that must be defeated before one can experience true glory. Death is feared by most, but when one has the assurance of eternal life, death is no longer to be feared. So Jesus says, “These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life.” Death is not the end.
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
The Discernment
The Discernment
9 “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.
Smyrna was a hotbed for Roman worship. They had long been established as one of the most faithful and dedicated cities to Rome in the ancient world.
In fact, its citizens were so infatuated with Rome that in 195 B.C. they built a temple in which Rome was worshiped. A century later the Roman general Sulla’s ill-clad army faced bitter winter weather. When the Roman soldiers’ plight was announced in a general assembly of Smyrna’s citizens, they reportedly took off their own clothes to send to them. Rome rewarded Smyrna’s loyalty by choosing it above all other applicants as the site of a new temple dedicated to the Emperor Tiberius (A.D. 26). And when an earthquake destroyed the city late in the second century, the Emperor Marcus Aurelius rebuilt it.
Although Ephesus and Pergamum equaled or surpassed it in political and economic importance, Smyrna was said to be the most beautiful city in Asia. It was located on a gulf of the Aegean Sea and, unlike Ephesus, was blessed with an excellent harbor. Smyrna also profited from its location at the western end of the road that ran through the rich Hermus River valley. In addition to the natural beauty of its surroundings, the city itself was well designed. It stretched from the bay up the slopes of the Pagos, a large hill covered with temples and other public buildings. The streets were well laid out, with the outlying ones lined with groves of trees. Smyrna’s most famous street, the “Street of Gold,” curved around the slopes of the Pagos. At one end was the temple of Cybele, and at the other the temple of Zeus. In between were the temples of Apollo, Asklepios, and Aphrodite.
Understanding this helps to add some context to why the church at Smyrna was facing such horrible persecution. On one hand, they were bent towards polytheism. They had several different temples dedicated to worshiping their many gods. This means that pagan worship was a large part of their everyday lives. It would have been noticed if someone refused to offer worship to these gods consistently.
They were also heavy supporters of Rome. This means that the Roman officials, even up to the emperors, would have made regular appearances in this city. It is said that Domitian, who would have been the emperor at this time, made it mandatory to offer yearly sacrifices for Rome. Anyone who refused to participate was punished with death. Thousands of Christians were executed during this time because of that.
Jesus tells them, “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty”.
Their poverty would have been a direct result of their refusal to worship the pagan gods or Rome. They would have been outcasts. They would have been the social pariah's of the day. No one would do business with them. They could not buy, sell, or trade in the marketplaces, etc. These people were truly suffering.
But notice that there is a parenthetical statement inputted here, “(but you are rich);”.
Jesus reiterates the fact that regardless of what the world takes from you, they cannot take your salvation, and that is worth far more than anything this world has to offer.
He goes to say, “… and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but a are a synagogue of Satan.”
Apparently, there was a group of Jews in this region who claimed to be followers of Christ, but really weren’t. Jesus calls this group, whoever they were, out and says that He knows the truth. Just because they call themselves something doesn’t actually make them what they say they are.
Some have said that this group was known as the Judaizers, and that they claimed to believe in Jesus but did not believe in salvation by grace alone. They taught that salvation came by faith in Jesus and works.
John MacArthur says that it could have been a different group:
Revelation 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Commendation
Unbelieving Jews commonly accused Christians of cannibalism (based on a misunderstanding of the Lord’s Supper), immorality (based on a perversion of the holy kiss with which believers greeted each other; cf.
The Demand
The Demand
10 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. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Jesus confirms that their suffering is not over. Matter of fact, He tells them it is just beginning. He warns them the devil is about to make a move. Some of them are going to be thrown “into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.”
Some believe this is a literal ten days and say that there is really no way to know what this ten days is a reference to.
The number “TEN” in Scripture is used to represent completeness. So some say that those thrown into prison will never get out. They will spend the rest of their lives in prison and then die from there.
Others have said that this ten is allegorical, representing the ten most evil emperors of Rome that would rule over the next few centuries. These emperors would execute thousands of Christians, including Paul, Peter, and Polycarp (a 1st Century Church Leader). They would exile John to the island of Patmos. Christians were crucified, thrown into pits with wild animals, dipped in oil and set on fire, beheaded, and a host of other things.
Jesus’s instructions to them is this, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Endure unto the end. That is the mandate.
13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
That seems like a lot to ask, doesn’t it? Be faithful until the end. But let me say that Jesus is not asking us to do anything that He has not already done Himself.
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
Do not lose hope, do not give up, persevere all the way through. That is the instruction. For those who do, Christ will personally give unto them the crown of life.
25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
12 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.
There are six crowns mentioned in the New Testament. Five of those crowns are said to be given to those who persevere and remain faithful unto the end. But our crowns are only possible because of the first crown that was worn: the crown of thorns. Jesus paved the way for each of us to receive crowns by wearing a crown of His own.
The Declaration
The Declaration
11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’
The final word from Christ to the church at Smyrna was that all who overcomes, “shall not be hurt by the second death.”
The phrase “second death” is only found here in Revelation. It is a reference to final death, where all things evil are cast into the lake of fire.
14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
