The Suffering Church
The 7 Churches of Revelation
January 22nd & 23rd
Today we continue our series on the 7 Churches of Revelation. Let’s look at Christ’s message to the church at Smyrna.
Background:
The Smyrna church was 40 miles north of Ephesus. It was called a city of rare beauty located on a bay. It was on the direct trade route from India to Rome. It was known for its schools of science and medicine. The Church in Smyrna would be found in modern day Izmir, Turkey. Current population is 2.5 million.
No one knows for sure how Christianity spread to Smyrna but it is believed it was through the teaching of the Apostle Paul.
This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. Acts 19:10
Verse 8
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.
Verse 8 is again talking about Jesus. Revelation 1:17-18
Verses 9 & 10
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.
I. JESUS ENCOURAGES THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA
A. Jesus praises the Church of Smyrna for enduring poverty for his sake.
- Many had been rich at one time but had lost their wealth when they became Christians and were cast out.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20
Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6:10
-They were financially poor but spiritually rich. We know they endured poverty.
B. The Church in Smyrna suffered persecution
I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Verse 9
-Smyrna means “suffering”
- Jesus is referring to a group of Jews who have gone astray and follow after Satan and not after the ways of their spiritual father Abraham.
-Satan means accuser and Devil means slanderer- we see both happening here
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. Revelation 12:10
-What happens when Satan works his way into the church? He accuses and he slanders and it tears a church down.
-We must understand that part of being a Christian is that we will suffer.
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Philippians 1:29
-Jesus sees how they are suffering and offers them comfort.
Illustration: John Wesley Story on Persecution
John Wesley was riding along a road one day when it dawned on him that three days had passed in which he had suffered without persecution. Not a brick or an egg had been thrown at him for three days.
Alarmed, he stopped his horse, and said, “Can it be that I have sinned, and am backslidden?”
Jumping off his horse, Wesley went down on his knees and began begging God to show him where, if any, there had been a fault.
A rough fellow, on the other side of the hedge, hearing the prayer, looked across and recognized the preacher. “I’ll fix that Methodist preacher,” he said, picking up a brick and tossing it over at him. It missed its mark, and fell harmlessly beside John. John Wesley jumped to his feet joyfully exclaiming, “Thank God, it’s all right. I still have His presence.”
- The church in America, Peters Creek Church has never really experienced persecution like churches around the world we suffer from: apathy, busyness…
Transition
II. JESUS CHALLENGES THE CHURCH
A. Jesus challenges the church to be fearless
-Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer
- Things are going to get worse but don’t give up he will not win
B. Jesus challenges the church to be faithful
Be faithful even to the point of death Verse 10
- Even if it costs you your life
- Book of Martyr stories- people stand up
C. Jesus said if you do these things I will give you the victors crown Verse 10
- Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
-What is this crown? It is the reward of eternity in heaven- Salvation through Jesus
Transition:
III. JESUS OFFERS A PROMISE
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelation 2:11
-What is an over comer? Someone who has placed their trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
-What is the second death? When God judges those who have rejected Him.
-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.” Revelation 20:6
Polycarp, was a pastor at the church in Smyrna, He was martyred on Saturday, 23rdFebruary, AD 155. It was the time of the public games; the city was crowded; and the crowds were excited. Suddenly the shout went up: “Away with the atheists; let Polycarp be searched for.” No doubt Polycarp could have escaped; but already he had had a dream in which he saw the pillow under his head burning with fire and he had awakened to tell his disciples: “I must be burnt alive.”
His whereabouts was betrayed by a slave who collapsed under torture. They came to arrest him. He ordered that they should be given a meal and provided with all they wished, while he asked for himself the privilege of one last hour in prayer. Not even the police captain wished to see Polycarp die. On the brief journey to the city, he pled with the old man: “What harm is it to say, ‘Caesar is Lord’ and to offer sacrifice and be saved?” But Polycarp was adamant that for him only Jesus Christ was Lord.
When he entered the arena he heard a voice from heaven telling him to “Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man.” The proconsul gave him the choice of cursing the name of Christ and making sacrifice to Caesar; or death.
“Eighty and six years have I served him,” said Polycarp, “and he has done me no wrong. How can I turn on my King who saved me?” The proconsul threatened him with burning, and Polycarp replied “You threaten me with the fire that burns for a time, and is quickly quenched, for you do not know the fire which awaits the wicked in the judgment to come and in everlasting punishment. Why are you waiting? Come, do what you will.”
So the crowds came flocking with wood from the workshops and from the baths, and the Jews, even though they were breaking the Sabbath law by carrying such burdens, were foremost in bringing wood for the fire. They were going to bind him to the stake. “Leave me as I am,” he said, “for he who gives me power to endure the fire, will grant me to remain in the flames unmoved even without the security you will give by the nails.” So they left him loosely bound in the flames, and Polycarp prayed his great prayer:
O Lord God Almighty, the Father of your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of You, the God of angels and powers, and of every creature, and of the whole race of the righteous who live before you, I give You thanks that You have counted me, worthy of this day and this hour, that I should have a part in the number of Your martyrs, in the cup of your Christ, to the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and body, through the incorruption [imparted] by the Holy Ghost. Among whom may I be accepted this day before You as a acceptable sacrifice, according as You, the ever-truthful God, have foreordained, have revealed beforehand to me, and now have fulfilled. Wherefore also I praise You for all things, I bless You, I glorify You, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, with whom, to You, and the Holy Ghost, be glory both now and to all coming ages. Amen.
With that he was put to death
Conclusion:
-Friends let us be thankful for God’s mercy and grace that he has spared us the hardships and persecution that so many other brothers and sisters face all around the world this day. Let us pray.
