We are excited to be here as we are continuing our sermon series this morning on the seven churches found in the book of Revelations.
Last week, we talked about the background of the church in Ephesus and we learned that they were a hard working church that were patient and did not stand for evil. They did not stand for false prophets and people trying to take advantage of others. Yet, in the midst of their battle, they came to a place to forget their first love.
This morning we are looking at our second church in Revelation located in Smyrna. This church was under great persecution. Now I understand that while we may be persecuted in the media and ridiculed by others because of our faith here in America, the fact is that persecution is going on against the church with great intensity in other parts of the world. We enjoy a tremendous amount of religious liberties here in America. However, when we look at this from another perspective, to me, the church has been persecuted and this shows up in a lot of different ways when we look at the low level holiness in the church, we look at those that lack passion for worship, we have people talking and playing games during worship, when you look at the lack of biblical knowledge of believers.
If you could turn with me to Revelation 2:8-11 NKJV 8 “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: 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. 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. 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.”
I. The church under pressure
A. Tough
a. This church in Smyrna was one of the churches that were dealing with some of the harshest conditions of persecution.
b. While most of the churches receive a rebuke from the Lord, this church does not. Not even a hint.
c. In fact, two of the churches do not receive a rebuke that is Smyrna and one we will be discussing later Philadelphia.
d. While all the churches were under a degree of persecution, this church was extremely under pressure.
Map shown: Tech Team
B. The church and city
a. As you can see Smyrna was located about 30-35 miles north of Ephesus and was situation on a great harbor.
b. During times of war, the harbor could be completely enclosed in order to provide a strong defense.
c. Alexander the Great had rebuilt the city to make sure that it had a strong defense.
d. This city was a major commercial producer of Myrrh along with vintage wines.
e. The city was known for its beauty, and interesting enough, home of the poet Homer.
C. Counselor
a. Let’s go back to verse 8 “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
b. The Lord is really drawing their attention back to the cross where the most intense pain and suffering of the Lord is present.
c. The Lord wants the believers at Smyrna to know that He experienced the suffering that led to death.
D. Commendation
a. Let’s go to verse Revelation 2:9 NKJV9 “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 [a]synagogue of Satan.
b. This really is a tremendous commendation that the Lord was giving these believers.
c. Jesus is very clear about the necessity of works and that there is a reward that is associated with them.
E. Why persecuted
a. This city of Smyrna was considered to be one the greatest city’s that worshipped Caesar.
b. Caesar was the leader of Rome and many looked at him like a god.
c. At the time, Caesar Domitian despised Christians and did everything he could to destroy them. Domitian was a blood thirsty tyrant that would do anything to maintain his political position.
F. How were they persecuted
a. Persecution can come in many different forms and ways.
b. This church was experiencing this persecution on different levels. The first being that they were experiencing was poverty.
c. Actually, when translating this word poverty it literally means “destitute. This is a person that literally has nothing at all.
d. Because of their stand for Christ, many of these believers lost their jobs, they lost the businesses that they ran, everything.
e. They were looked upon in society as a bunch of misfits and outlaws and basically were ostracized.
f. Secondly, what they did have, they were robbed of, family members kidnapped and held for ransom, and their properties were vandalized.
g. They were falsely accused of so many things such as being: Cannibals, immoral because they greeted each other with a holy kiss, atheists because they did not worship Caesar, home wreckers, blasphemers, and the list goes on.
h. Of course, none of this was true, but since they were different that society at the time, they were looked upon in a negative way.
i. Thirdly, these early church members experienced a physical persecution and many were tortured.
II. The commandment
A. Direction
a. The Lord acknowledged all that these believers were going through.
b. He provides them some instruction then in verse 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.
c. The first thing, that I find very interesting that the Lord commands is for them not to fear anything.
d. In the face of prison, in the face of tribulation, in the face of being robbed, tortured, Jesus is saying do not fear any of this.
e. Why? Because they are just pilgrims passing through, they can rest assured that the Lord will have the last word and that death is swallowed up in victory! Hallelujah!
B. Naysayers
a. There are some that reading these words, might take a look and say this is awful!
b. Jesus is saying just grit your teeth and bare with it.
c. Let me say this, Fear is a powerful weapon that the enemy uses. Think of David when facing this huge giant (everyone was afraid, except David because he trusted the Lord, when Gideon was facing an army with only 300 men, when Joshua led the people into the land of giants.
d. Fear can grip a person, it can incapacitate them.
e. The exact opposite of fear is faith!
f. The bible tells us that we are in a spiritual battle and in this battle we cannot run away, we need to stand our ground.
g. The bible says in Ephesians 6:11-12 NKJV11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [b]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
III. The reward for being faithful
A. All for not
a. As if this church was not motivated enough, Jesus goes on to close out His comments to them with a reward.
b. Let’s look there in at the end of verse 10 - Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 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.
c. There is a powerful connection here, that those that remain faithful to the Lord will receive an eternal crown.
d. This crown is a testament or a symbol to those that stayed consistent in their faith to the Lord.
B. Not only a crown
a. Not only will these believers receive a crown, they will receive life eternal.
b. The first death to their physical body will not harm them.
c. Revelation 20:6 NKJV6 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.
IV. Persecution for our faith
A. Jesus was clear
a. Jesus was very clear about the coming persecution.
b. Jesus said in John 16:1-3 NKJV16 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.
c. This is just one of the warnings that we find in the New Testament. In fact, the bible says in 2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
d. The Apostle Peter talked about this persecution in 1 Peter.
B. Victory
a. While this persecution is going to come, Jesus also gave a promise that we will have victory.
b. Matthew 16:18 NKJV18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
c. This is a wonderful promise that we have been given. The church will ultimately prevail over Satan and all his cohorts.
d. The church will never be destroyed by persecution, in fact, we will become more powerful and we will be strengthened to press on.
C. A lasting testimony
a. One of John’s disciples in the church named Polycarp was martyred because of his faith in Christ.
b. Polycarp was the pastor of the church in Smyrna and was murdered because he would not recant his faith in the Lord.
c. Three days before his death, Polycarp had a vision of him being burned alive.
d. Polycarp after being captured was taken to the stadium, in the stadium it is said that Polycarp heard a voice from heaven say “Be strong, and show thyself a man, O Plycarp!” The believers around him, heard the voice as well.
e. Given many chances to renounce his faith, Polycarp stayed true to his Savior.
f. Christians at the time wrote up a letter to give an account of Polycarp and his faith. This letter was circulated to all the church and Polycarps final words are captured in this letter which he said as follows: O Lord God Almighty, the Father of thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of Thee, the God of angels and powers, and of every creature, and of the whole race of the righteous who live before thee, I give Thee thanks that Thou hast counted me, worthy of this day and this hour, that I should have a part in the number of Thy martyrs, in the cup of thy 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 Thee as a fat and acceptable sacrifice, according as Thou, the ever-truthful God, hast fore-ordained, hast revealed beforehand to me, and now hast fulfilled. Wherefore also I praise Thee for all things, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, with whom, to Thee, and the Holy Ghost, be glory both now and to all coming ages. Amen.”
g. After praying this prayer, the soldiers lit Polycarp on fire and it was witness by all those in the stadium that Polycarp did not die because of the fire, he was walking around like Shaddrach, Meshack and Abendigo and then the executioner was ordered to stab Polycarp with the sword and he then such a quantity of blood flowed out that extinguished the fire and Polycarp was pronounced dead.
Closing:
As we close here this morning, this church in Smynra was under a tremendous about of pressure. Pressure from their culture, pressure from friends and family, and they were hated by society. Jesus saw their tribulation and He informed them that there would be more and yet not to fear. Even though they were poor in a physical sense they had true riches because of their faith in Christ. Jesus assured these believers that they would receive a crown for their faithfulness. They were called to continue to live as overcomes of the pressure to reject their faith, to overcome the verbal and physical abuse, to overcome the call to worship Caesar and to ultimately overcome fear and death with their faith in Jesus.
