Mail Call: Smyrna
Revelation 2:8-12
February 26, 2023
Have you ever felt life just isn’t fair? Now, I’m not talking about what we deem unjust or unfair and undeserved illnesses and sudden deaths. That’s an entirely different discussion and sermon.
I’m talking about a time when you stood up for what was right; and you became the victim. Maybe you proclaimed the message of Christ, and you lost your family and friends. That partially happened to me. That was the risk for saying YES to Jesus. Telling my parents was one of the most fear-filled moments of my life.
What if after becoming a Christ follower, your employer said, if you want to keep your job, you can’t talk about Jesus at all, or you’re fired. What if the government sent people to see who came to church on Sunday mornings and watched online, and your taxes went up because you attend worship.
What if the government gave you a token, which meant you were in good standing with them, and you could keep your store open, you could buy, sell and trade with others. But, without the token, your store would close and you couldn’t shop in the market. What if because of your faith, others were telling malicious lies about you?
What if you were considering becoming a Christian and you saw this happening to friends? As a Christian, if you saw this happening in the church, what would you think about God? Would you keep the faith? Would you run from God? Would you compromise your faith to survive?
Those are pretty heavy and dark questions. Maybe we think there are far fetched. And I’m not talking politics, but if you look at other countries, they’re already there.
Last week we began talking about mail which was delivered to 7 churches in Revelation 2-3. Letters sent from John, dictated to him by Jesus. Last week we looked at Ephesus.
If you travel about 40 miles north of Ephesus, you come to the city of Smyrna. Today Smyrna is called Izmir, a leading city in Turkey. Because of its beauty, Smyrna was known as the “Ornament of Asia.” In 26 AD, a competition was held to determine which city would win the right to build a temple for Caesar-worship. Smyrna won that contest and took great pride in its loyalty to Rome. There were also temples to various pagan gods. And over time a number of Jews migrated to Smyrna and became an important part of the business scene.
Because of the prevailing paganism and the worship of the emperor, Christians in Smyrna found themselves under unrelenting pressure. The people of Smyrna were extremely loyal, and would publicly declare, “Caesar is Lord.” Christians wouldn’t do this, so the early believers found themselves in a difficult situation.
My friends, welcome to the church in Smyrna. This church was experiencing a great deal of suffering. Are you ready to join?
One last note before we jump in, Smyrna was one of only two churches in Revelation 2-3 in which Jesus didn’t have a criticism. Their suffering made them strong. It had stripped them of everything - - - except Jesus.
In Revelation 2:8, Jesus said - - -
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 back to life.
Firstly, the Jewish Christians would’ve clearly understood this because of what Isaiah 44:6 wrote about God. Listen to these words - - -
6 This is what the LORD says — Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God.
That’s pretty clear, God is the beginning and the end. He bookends all of life. Jesus was also telling His followers He’s been there, He’s gone through the fires of life. He’s suffered and He knows what that’s like and He’s experienced death. But the good news is the fact that death couldn’t contain Him. He defeated death.
It’s similar to what the writer of Hebrews wrote in Hebrews 4:14-16 - - -
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
The writer wants whoever is questioning, whoever is suffering to know and believe and to trust that according to the Jewish worship system, Jesus is the great high priest. There is nobody above Him. And because of this, hold fast to your beliefs in who He is.
Also, we have this great high priest, Jesus, who can sympathize with our pains in life, because He’s been tempted just as we’ve been tempted and He’s experienced the pain of living life, as we have, YET HE’S WITHOUT SIN - - - which would lead us to what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:21 - - - -
21 For our sake God made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God.
So, Jesus is without sin, He didn’t give in to the temptations. And because of being the perfect sacrifice, through Jesus and only Jesus, we are now viewed by God as righteous. Forgiven, saved and redeemed. So, as a result, Hebrews 4:16 tells us - - -
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
So, there’s the offer for us, again confidently, but more than that, the Greek gives us the image of a bold confidence, not arrogant, but you’re super confident in the promises of Jesus. So, you draw near, notice who’s doing the drawing near!! YOU ARE . . . God’s already there!
And the expectation is when you need it, it’s always there for you and you experience His grace and mercy.
Revelation 2:8 is also telling us, Jesus is the author of life, He was there at the beginning of time, and He will be there at the end of time. There’s no defeating Jesus. That’s great news.
Let me add this, when someone is giving you comfort and encouragement, it helps to know they’ve experienced some of what you’re going through. When someone beats cancer, when they’ve endured the punch cancer throws, their encouragement takes on life, because they’ve been through the storm. Jesus is reminding us, I’ve overcome, I’ve been through it, and so can you. Stick with me! Trust me!
Now in verse 9 - Jesus describes their problems, saying - - -
9 I know your afflictions and your poverty – yet you are rich . . .
The word “afflictions” doesn’t describe the ordinary troubles of life. It’s really more of a doomsday affliction. Literally it means - - -
A narrow place that "hems someone in;” tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel restricted, without options, feeling there is no way of escape.
It was used to describe what happened when people were making wine and they crushed the grapes. There’s no escape for the grapes. And these early believers were feeling crushed, helpless, trampled on with no way of escape. Jesus is reminding them, ‘I see what’s happening, I’m not oblivious to it all . . . and I’m with you.’
Now, Jesus acknowledges their poverty. The Greek word used here literally means totally destitute or a beggar. They didn’t have enough money to buy the basics of life. Jesus knows this.
In order to do business in Smyrna, you needed to have a little token which you would receive from the government each year for proclaiming that Caesar is lord. Since the Christians didn’t proclaim Caesar as lord, they didn’t receive this token, which meant they couldn’t shop at most stores, or own a store.
Yet, Jesus tells them --- even though they’re dirt poor, in His eyes they’re rich. The word Jesus used for “rich” has the idea of being in a position of power and authority because of wealth. That may sound strange, but to Jesus, His followers were in a position of authority because of the treasures they were storing up in heaven. They were rich in the sight of God. They were physically poor, but spiritually they were wealthy!
For many people this is the breaking point. We value our prosperity. We value the fact we can afford many of the luxuries, on top of the necessities of life.
I was sitting at Starbucks writing this and all around me are people who have laptops and cell phones and tablets. Think about how many of us have computers, tablets, phones, smart watches and more.
It’s remarkable to think of the impact a man like Steve Jobs had. He helped change the world. While we may confess our indebtedness to Jobs, he had to leave it all behind. He’s not using a Mac, iPhones do him no good, the money he earned is not with him, it’s nothing to God. He’s passed from this life where he was revered into another realm where he must answer to the God who created him.
Whatever happened to him and wherever he is, it has nothing to do with his great wealth while he was on the earth. His earthly wealth can protect him no more.
How foolish we are to think that the little bit we accumulate in this life matters in eternity. Will the God who made the universe be impressed by a 75-foot yacht? Will he be blown away by a mansion or two, or three? Will he be impressed by a fleet of cars? He laughs at all of our desires to be materially wealthy. Let me also add, there’s nothing wrong with being wealthy, there’s nothing wrong with money and possessions, but if they become your god, you’re driving force, then there’s a problem. But that’s another series, too.
Jesus knows your poverty - and He knows your riches too. He sees your faith lived out. He notes the prayers you pray through your tears. He hears your desperate cries for help.
Oddly enough, those hated Christians in Smyrna were the richest people in town. I read this - - -
You’ll never know if Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.
When Jesus is all you have, then you discover Jesus is all you need.
Most of us have a hard time figuring this out. Because the Christians at Smyrna were so poor, they learned early on that Jesus is really all you need. That’s why Jesus says, “you’re rich!” No person is poor when they’ve learned to depend and trust in Christ alone.
Jesus also knows our enemies. At the end of vs. 9, Jesus said ---
9 . . . I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of satan.
Terrible malicious lies were being told about the people in the church. It was an all-out offensive to destroy the people. Ever have anyone tell lies about you? Ever wonder if it hurts? If it can kill your reputation? Maybe it gets you fired, or at the minimum, you didn’t get the job or promotion because of lies. This was the daily situation in Smyrna. Emails, text messages, facebook comments and tweets.
And who were the culprits? They were called a “synagogue of satan?” It was their own people. It’s an in your face description of the Jewish people who banded together with the pagans in order to accuse the Jewish - Christians of treason against Rome. This was like taking sides against Jesus Himself. God doesn’t take lightly those who attack his children.
Because Christians were despised and marginalized, they seemed like a virus, a disease that needed to be removed. Think about when someone is hacking and coughing nowadays. Do we not move a little further away from them. We don’t want to be around anyone who we think may have a virus. These so-called Jews who attacked them were not really Jews at all. They were Jews in name only.
Too many times, religion itself, gets in the way. It can blind a person of their need of God because they think they can contribute something to their own salvation. Millions of people have a religion based on superstition.
Or they believe they can work their way in by doing good deeds, and doing good is great, but that doesn’t get you the ultimate reward. It’s faith!
Some trust in inherited religion: “Daddy was a deacon. Momma was a Sunday School teacher.” They act as if salvation is inherited like you inherit the color of your eyes. It doesn’t work that way. No one else can believe for you. You have to believe for yourself.
Don’t be surprised when religious people hate you. They hated Jesus, and they crucified Him.
So, Jesus tries to calm their fears and expectations. He tells them in verse 10 - - -
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.
Remember Jesus has perfect knowledge about what’s going on. He knows what has, what is, and what will happen. What surprises us - - - does not surprise Him.
How did the devil put some of the believers in jail? He stirred up the Jews to work with the pagans to stir up animosity so that the Christians ended up in jail, having no way to refute the false accusations.
Jesus also said some will be in prison to test them, and they will suffer for 10 days. Some say the 10 days is a metaphor for a short period of time, others say it’s a real 10 days. I take Jesus at His word, the persecution, would last 10 days. We may think that’s not so bad. I can endure 10 bad days. But there will be that constant pressure, that hemmed in feeling with no way of escape. Feeling persecuted and stuck with no way out.
Some of you have been in the furnace of affliction far longer than ten days. For some it’s more like ten years. For others it seems like a lifetime.
I can’t explain why some people seem to suffer more than others. While it’s true that “into each life some rain must fall,” some folks seem to have a perpetual monsoon pouring down.
But let us take comfort in this - - - if Jesus said you will suffer for ten days, no force on earth can make it last 11 days! It won’t end early, but it won’t go longer. The time limit on our trials has been determined by the Lord.
That’s why he says, “Fear not.” The Lord knows what He’s doing. He will accomplish His purpose concerning us.
Now, Jesus says - - -
11 Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
There is one important fact we must not miss. Jesus never promises to remove the trials of life. He never said, “Just believe in me and everything will get better.”
“Believe in me and I’ll give you an easy life.”
He said, “Be faithful, and I will give you the crown of life.”
No doubt many of the believers in Smyrna paid the ultimate price for their faith. Having followed Jesus in life, they now follow Him in death.
To the victor would go the crown of life, it’s the crown which goes to the victor in a race. Paul mentioned it when he was facing his death. All who call on Jesus will receive the crown of righteousness, the crown of victory!
He concludes - - -
12 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
He reminded the faithful, that while the first death is a physical death. The second death is what those who do not belong to Jesus will be subject to. It’s the hell. It’s what will happen to the devil, his angels and followers. It’s eternal damnation.
Jesus promises that those who are faithful to Him will not experience this death, but will have eternal life with Him!
Jesus wants to encourage the church in what they are doing. Jesus wants them to know that He’s with them and is faithful. He will do what He promises. It may look like He’s not there, but He is.
When you’re facing difficulties in life, rest assured, Jesus is there with you. He knows what you’re going through. Jesus also offers an eternal reward when you hold to Him!
Friends, be encouraged, don’t run from the troubles of life, embrace Jesus all the more . . . He’s here with us, with you, you are richer than you think.
