Smyrna - Week 3

Intro: The Destination of the Letter

RECAP:

Rev1: John’s vision of Jesus. Let to Eph… Re-ignite first love (simple trust in X, independent from works)!

TODAY: Smyrna.

Smyrna was an Outreach from Ephesus

1/2 nothing negative to say about it

Major export - Myrrh (gets its name)

City that had died, and lives again

“The first City of Asia,” “The Glory of Asia;” known for the “The Crown” hill

Revelation 2:8-11 ““To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.”

Re: vv.8… “These are the words of...”

NET "This is the solemn pronouncement of" || oT: "Thus saith the LORD." // LXX: tade legei = ~350x

Declaration of the very Words of the LORD.

The Diagnosis of their Suffering

Pressure

vv.9a “Know your affliction...”

“Affliction” = θλῖψις [thlipsis] - a pressing together, pressing, pressure, tribulation/trouble

Considered Disloyal to Rome

Like Ephesus, were plagued with pressure to call Caesar Lord.

FLSB: "It was the home of a temple to the Roman emperor Tiberius and was a center of the Roman imperial religion."

Poverty

vv.9b “Your poverty...”

Robbed of money, pushed out of the city, not welcome in the agora, pariah in the market

“When cities had large concentrations of artisans and craftsmen, trade guilds or unions were established. These guilds often required their members to participate in certain pagan activities. The believers’ unwillingness to participate in these activities resulted in exclusion from the guilds and financial hardship.” - FLSB

Starving to death for your faith…

Outside of the potential richness of the big city, the Xians were struggling.

Persecution

vv.9c “slander.... [by] jews [who] are not”

False Jews: “synagogue of satan” &, of course, Romans

“Satan” = opposer; supreme opposer - against everything that is good, everything that is GOD’s good order/plan.

Synagogue was a gathering place for the teaching of Torah (ways of YHWH, God)… flipped! Gathering to oppose Him!

Not only facing GENTILE, but JEWISH persec., too.

Most common sticking pt./divide in early church. See: Saul/Paul

“about to suffer.... 10 days”; [θλῖψις]

Yet… unlike Eph; X has NOTHING neg. to say!!

Had eyes on the promise! Eyes on first love - Jesus.

In letter, X makes these promises of His supremacy…

Reminder for us! True today…

Jesus Reigns Supreme!

Christ’s Reputation was Better than Rome’s

vv.8 "First & the Last… who died & rose again”

[Died & rose] Same thing Smyrna known for.

However, human effort and wealth source of their ‘resur’.

X’s death and resurrection an eternal promise! Not just of his availability (still around), but for THEIR future as well! Promised SAME kind of resurrection.

[First and Last] Reputation of Smyrna was nothing compared to Christ

Jesus was the one who was ALWAYS there.

Well before Smy was there, Christ/logos IS. // After Smy will be gone, Christ/logos IS.

Christ’s Recognition was Better than Rome’s

“I Know…” - He’s been there

Once again, X is THERE with them, in midst of lampstand.

While Rome overlooked (championed) church’s thlipsis, X knows (initimate, close, involved) what they’re going thru…

Not only is X present NOW in suffering (YOURS), he has Been-There-Done-That…

Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”

Jesus can relate. The Godhead can relate to your migrane, betrayal, sorrow, anxiety, overwhelmedness… And he feels for us in our frailty; promises reward —>

Christ’s Riches were Better than Rome’s

“You are rich!” (In a spiritual sense)

Apocalypse, uncovering…

Reality all around them: poor, needy, downtrodden

X’s good news: Spiritually wealthy, communally wealthy, have much reward!

Matthew 6:19-21 ““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Any needs they have will be taken care of. (not nec. ‘wants’…)

Christ’s Reckoning of Time was Better than Rome’s

“about to suffer.... 10 days”; [θλῖψις]

NOT literal 10 days… but has end date. finite!

#10, perfect number - used of finality

Time is in God’s hands

Suffering may seem like an eternity, but it’s small in comparison with the might of eternity

There is an end! It is only temporary

NOTICE… didn’t promise deliverance. Actually promised or foretold pers. [Death was deliverance!] Let that mess w. Am. theology of comfort!

Christ’s Offered Rewards were Better than Rome’s

“The Crown of life” || “Crown of Asia”

Roman victor's crown / “stefanos” - one who overcame obstacles/opponents

Olympic games, reward

ESV: "crown that IS life”... Crown? Life? - Metaphor! Crown that symbolizes life. Life is the reward.

Escape the “second death”

Everyone will face one death, but the second 1 to be feared…

An eternal death will be bypassed… life rewarded! Reserved for others.

With all of this in mind — Jesus’ superiority in the face of trial & difficulty (Timing, Nearness, Rewards, Providence); how can they keep this in mind?? Live it out??

Have Faith!

Revelation 2:10 “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”

Cmd: Be Fearless

“Do not Fear!” helpful? After preview of all they were to suffer, how could they NOT fear?

Their eyes set on JESUS! Things above!

THEOLOGY IMPORTANT - study/unders. of God…

If what we believe about Jesus is REALLY true, and we REALLY believe it… we be bold for the sake of gospel!

Doesn’t always mean foolish-looking methods.

DOES NOT mean harming others in wake! SOMEtimes offensive (not trying to be).

Means instead asking, “What’s the risk?” Ask: “What will I miss [by not]?”

Drop the fear and live like Jesus is bigger than the threats of this world!

Romans 8:35-39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

If we can act in line w/ community and still be connected to the vine, stand for truth… go and do it. BUT when being loving gospel witness intrudes on community’s standards, community loses out. Gospel message, spiritual growth needs to happen!

Xians could face the peril that was to come with boldness, confidence.

Cmd: Be Faithful

“Until the end…”

pistis, “Faith/ful”

“The way to lose Fear is the gain Faith”

Trust in Jesus; that He is Lord of your life & this world, any persecution we can face.

Depend on him and put your life in the palm of His hands - loving others and seeking to live in peace as you do.

Rely on His Spirit to empower you, His hand of protection to uphold you, and His example as Jesus to guide you!

DO NOT FEAR, HAVE FAITH… until the end!

How do you receive the crown of life? Have faith ‘til the end!