The Seven Churches - 2
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Church of Smyrna
Church of Smyrna
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
“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.
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.
“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.” ’
Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
We propose that the book of Revelation unfolds in three sections
The things John saw 1:1-20; The things which are Rev 2:1-4:1; Then the things that “will be” or literally “after these things -metetalta”
We proposed that the seven churches while actual represented periods of the “time of the Gentiles” that is the church age, as a pause in Daniel’s 70 weeks, 69 0f which have been completed.
The church of Ephesus showed the cooling off of intensity toward the Gospel and a returning back to works from obligation instead of acts motivated by love
It was the end of the first century and the beginning of the introduction of cultish practices and false religion
We faintly see the introduction of the establishment of a “religious system” by which man would be separated from God by other men
The church of Smyrna:
We enter now the 2nd period of church history the 2nd and 3rd century
Similar to Ephesus, which was only 40 miles to the south, Smyrna had many visitors. Boasting an excellent harbor and the beginning of a well-traveled road to the interior, Smyrna regularly had travelers passing through it. This great trading city, founded by Alexander the Great, continues to this day as the modern Turkish city of Izmir with a population of approximately 2.8 million
“In Roman times, Smyrna was considered the most brilliant city of Asia Minor, successfully rivaling Pergamos and Ephesus. Its streets were wide and paved. Its system of coinage was old, and now about the city coins of every period are found. It was celebrated for its schools of science and medicine, and for its handsome buildings. Among them was the Homerium, for Smyrna was one of several places which claimed to be the birthplace of the poet.
On the slope of Mt. Pagus was a theater which seated 20,000 spectators. In the 23 AD year a temple was built in honor of Tiberius and his mother Julia, and the Golden Street, connecting the temples of Zeus and Cybele, is said to have been the best in any ancient city
It was a bloody time of martyrdom and suffering
We will find the message to them is one of hope, encouragement and comfort
We know historically from Ignatius and Irenaeus that Polycarp, Bishop of the city (thought to be a disciple or John) and Polycrates lived and were martyred in Smyrna
The Christians there were caught in a three-way battle; Rome - emperor worship; Jews - Blasphemers; and other Christians from the church at Rome; celebration of Easter instead of Passover!
“And Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumeneia, who fell asleep in Smyrna. Why need I mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead? All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith.
It is against this backdrop that Jesus encourages His people!
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
A reminder to the suffering servants that there is hope in the future
He was the firstborn from the dead!
who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
If you remember I spoke about the importance for the believer to know the truth that He will greet us on the other side once we pass that journey!
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.
Look at the words of encouragement from our Savior:
Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
The message is ever so pertinent today - are we prepared for the days ahead?
The Word fro the Lord 2 weeks ago - “these are just the days of preparation9!
We are not alone or unseen by the heavenly court!
“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.
Works - useful activity - be about His work! Productive or the Kingdom
Tribulation - to press, squash, hem in, to pressure, to afflict, harass, oppress
The reality is that the world hates the light!
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
Paul’s testimony before Agrippa
to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
But if your light is shining brightly - which we have been challenged to do, the darkness will attack! For they are of the synagog of Satan!
Jesus identifies them when he spoke to the Pharisees!
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
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.
They represent the unbelieving world!
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
The issue is the heart!
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.
“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.” ’
Testes! Not an exciting future
No one looks forward to a test!
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Be faithful unto death an I will give you the crown of life - not harmed by the second death!
The final judgement of God upon sinful man
Notice as we end there is no rebuke for the saint! They were holding fast until the end
May God dive us the grace and power to be the lights of this world