MESSAGES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
Revelation 2:1- 3:22
Part 11
Smyrna – “Persecuted & Poor Rich Church”
Revelation 2:8-11
Good News Christian Fellowship
July 29, 2006
BUCAS, Daraga Albay
Introduction
Last week we began our message with the church at Ephesus. That church represents the believer and the church that had forsaken their first love. The Ephesians Church lost their zeal and enthusiasm in their service to the Lord, though they are doctrinally pure. And the Lord exhorts them to repent and do the things they did before.
Today, we will take a look to the message to the Church at Smyrna. Remember that this not only a historical church but also a symbolic church because they represent all types of churches and Christians.
The Recipient (2:8a)
A. The Minister - "And unto the angel…”
The letter is addressed to the minister (angel) of the Church. The Greek word for angel (angelos) means both angel and messenger, that is, it can mean an earthly messenger. In the case of the Church the meaning is the minister or pastor of the church. It is the responsibility of the minister or pastor to take care of the Church.
According to the history, Polycarp an elder is the pastor of Smyrna church. Polycarp is an apprentice of Apostle John.
“Polycarp, an elder at the church in Smyrna, was burned alive at the stake in 155 A.D. for his refusal to deny Christ and swear allegiance to Caesar.” (Harbor at Smyrna- David Padfield)
B. The Church – “… of the Church in Smyrna.”
1. It’s Beginning.
We don’t have the exact details when was the church began. We also don’t have an explicit account who founded the church. However, some bible commentators believes that the church there was founded during Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 19:10)
“The Apostle Paul spent three years in Ephesus founding a strong, dynamic church (Ac. 20:31). According to Acts 19:10, word about what was happening at the church in Ephesus had spread throughout all of Asia Minor (cf. Ac. 19:26)” [The Church in Prophetic Perspective by John MacArthur]
Most likely, I believe, the seven churches were founded at this time. Apparently, these laymen and others carried the word throughout all of Asia during those two years. John McArthur commented, “I believe it was an offshoot of the tremendous work that went on in Ephesus. The church in Ephesus had excellent teachers: Paul, Timothy, Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos. Their message possibly spread to Smyrna. However it started isn’t the point; what’s important is the fact that it did. It is not named in the book of Acts, and evidently Paul never went there on any of his missionary journeys.”
2. The Name. “Smyrna is the Greek name of the Myrrha commifera shrub, also known as the dindin tree; a plant that produces the aromatic resin called myrrh and is indigenous to the Middle East and northeastern Africa. The Romans took this name over as Smyrna which is the name used in English for the pre-Turkish periods. The name İzmir is the Turkish version of the same name” – (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
A little over 30 miles north of Ephesus is the city of Smyrna -- both cities are on the Aegean coast of modern Turkey.
Smyrna, known today as Izmir, is Turkey’s third largest city. İzmir is also home to Turkey’s second largest Jewish community after Istanbul, still 2,500 strong- (Wikpedia.org/izmir)
Historical facts:
a. Smyrna means bitter - Myrrh is a red-brown resinous material, the dried sap of the tree Commiphora myrrha. Myrrh is currently used in some liniments, healing salves that may be applied to abrasions and other minor skin ailments. It was use in making perfume ( Ps. 43:8), oil, for embalming (John. 19:39), for purification of women (Ester 2:12), and for relieving pain (Mk. 15:23) It should be noted this church (Smyrna) was experiencing what its name said: bitter, sorrow, affliction and persecution.
b. Smyrna was persecuting the church – The city has a large number of Jews who were influential in city politics. Many of the early converts to Christ were Jews. The reactions of the Jews were severe. They use their influence to stamp out the church. In some cases job were lost, and all cases, social life within the city were severe
Smyrna, unlike the city of Ephesus, stands today. Though many of these believers died a martyr’s death, Satan could not stamp out their testimony. Suffering has a way of keeping us pure in our devotion to Christ and it was evidently so with this church.
3. The History - The excavations carried out in 1948 by the British Archaeological Institute of Athens and, after 1960, by the Turkish Historical Association under Prof. Ekrem Akurgal have shown that the first settlement, known as Bayraklý, can be dated as far back as the Bronze Age (3500-1000 B.C.)
The remains of the earliest layer are contemporary with the Troy II civilization. This settlement was known as Smurna, written as Smyrna in ancient Greek. In the 11th century B.C. the coastal city of Smyrna was inhabited by Ionians and Aeolians. – (TURIZM.NET/CITIES/IZMIR)
Battles have been fought here since 8th centuries B.C. for the control of the city. In 333 B.C. it fell into the hands of Alexander the Great.
From 1204-1261 it was part of the Byzantine state of NICAEA. At the end of World War 1, IZMIR was occupied by Greek forces, and the treaty of Sevres (1920) awarded the city & its surround to Greece. Turkish National forces captured the city in September 1922, and the Treaty of Lausanne gave IZMIR to the new Turkish Republic. (Grolier Encyclopedia 2004, pp.245)
To this day there is a significant Christian presence in the city. There are about 12 active churches, including the first legal Turkish Protestant church, which was officially recognized just a few years ago. Also, tourists can visit the ornate St. Polycarp Roman Catholic Church, built by the French in the early 1600s. Polycarp’s story is depicted in a series of paintings on the walls and ceiling.( www.ourfatherlutheran.net)
The Author (2:8b)
"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the first and the last, who died, and came to life."
Who is this “first and the last”? Jesus Christ. In Chapter 1:8, He is the Alpha and Omega. Alpha and Omega is the first and last letter of the Greek Alphabet.
Christ has the very special message for the church that is suffering trouble and persecution. There is only one First and Last, only supreme authority, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.
He spans time, all the minutes and hours of time. His presence covers all the problems, circumstances, and troubles of human life. Jesus is always in charge of what happens to us. He controls the circumstances and troubles no matter what happens. Therefore, He will work all things for our good. (Rom.8:35,37-39)
The Commendations (2:9). The church is commended for four things.
1. For suffering – Here’s the very interesting and encouraging word from the Lord Jesus Christ – “ I know.” Do you what that is? What are the implications? It means, Lord Jesus Christ “know” everything we’ve gone through. Nothing is hidden from Him. Everything is open. He “knows” the suffering of the church at Smyrna. He “knows” the trials and persecution were most severe.
“Jesus is a sympathetic Savior. He says, "I know your works. I know your tribulation. I know your poverty. Remember Me? I was persecuted, too." (John MacArthur)
“Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:20-21)
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” (Matt.24:9)
Jesus Christ “knows” all of their sufferings and persecution.
A. From early days- They despised Christianity. In the early days of the church, many of the followers of Judaism hated Christians. Acts 13 and 14 record Paul’s first missionary journey. We may call it Paul’s difficult journey Along with Barnabas and John Mark, Paul launched out with one objective: to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, it is not as easy as it is. Devout Jews slandered Paul and try to stone him to death.
Acts 14:19 says, "And there came there certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead."
B. From history - “Polycarp, an elder at the church in Smyrna, was burned alive at the stake in 155 A.D. for his refusal to deny Christ and swear allegiance to Caesar.” (Harbor at Smyrna- David Padfield)
C. To the present – Persecution of Christians still goes on, even at this present, modern age.
A month ago I received e-mail from VOM (Voice of the Martyrs) requesting for prayers to our brethren that are suffering from persecution and imprisonment in Bhutan. Here’s part of the e-mail:
BHUTAN Two Christians, Benjamin Dhunigana and John Dai, were arrested on January 8, 2006, in the western part of Bhutan. They have been imprisoned without trial for six months and now a sentence has been announced, though apparently without a trial. Dhunigana was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison and Dai was sentenced to three years. They were given 10 days to appeal to the court for bail and then to fight the case with the help of prominent lawyer. A VOM contact says that Dhunigana has been active in sharing the gospel all across Bhutan, and in particular in reaching Buddhist monks for Christ. On January 7th, he and Dai were traveling together in a van when they stopped and offered a ride to woman walking along the road. Dhunigana and Dai drove the woman to her home, and she insisted that they eat dinner with her family. They stayed to eat, and then told the woman they’d like to show her a movie, the JESUS film. She asked if she could invite her neighbors also, and the house was soon full of people watching the film about the life of Christ. VOM sources say it was the neighbors who reported the two Christian workers; Dhunigana and Dai were arrested the following day. Both men are married and have children; local Christians have promised to provide for the men’s families as long as they are incarcerated.
Brothers and sisters we didn’t experience such kind of suffering. None of us here, in this congregation, have been imprisoned for sharing the Gospel. However, I know, some of you here faced ridicule, insult, slander from those people you want to share to Gospel. They even call us crazy. Isn’t it? That’s the kind of persecution, suffering we have. And we suffer much when the persecution comes from our own relatives. And even from your own family, if so happen you are the only Christian in your family.
2. For bearing poverty - The word “poverty” is describes absolute poverty or complete destitution and beggarly. Apparently many were being forced out of jobs and having their property confiscated. This is another way of persecuting them. The Christians were regarded as lawbreakers. They were robbed and plundered of the things they did have. The Christians at Smyrna lived in a desperate situation. They had nothing.
The Christians in Smyrna lived in the midst of emperor worship. The Rome had instituted the law that the citizen should first render loyalty to the emperor. Once a year they have to show allegiance to the emperor by making an statement, “Caesar is Lord.”
This was the reason the Church was being attacked so severely and even their properties are confiscated.
God knows, in this congregation the financial constraint of the brethren that they gone through. Nanay Soli, have to walk 3kms. Just to come here, in this place, to join with us in worshipping the Lord.
God knows what all of us here what we had gone through.
3. For being spiritually rich – They were outwardly poor, but inwardly they were rich toward the Lord. The Lord then commends them for their spiritual wealth in the midst of their physical poverty and suffering, much of which was brought about by the religious Jews of Smyrna. So, while poor, they were rich.
By God’s grace He poured upon them the riches of His grace and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. They walked day by day with: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fullness, gentleness, and self-control.
They were also rich in that God had counted them worthy to suffer for Him (1 Pet. 3:14-17; 1:6; 4:13-14).
God knows our persecutors (v. 9b) The Jews in Smyrna professed to be Jews, to be followers of God, but they were not. They were persecuting the saints, the true follower of Christ.
God commended them for bearing slander; for standing up for Christ in the midst of an evil and corrupt world.
The counsel (2:10a) – Christ tells the Church that more persecutions is coming. However, they should not “fear” instead cast their burden to the Lord. They should remain closer to them. Take note the devil will attack them in ten days. What does it mean “ten days”? It means the persecutions are intense, however only in a short period of time.
It seems, however, it is easier to say than done. Not to fear may seems difficult to those who suffer. But we must remember who Jesus is:
• The first and the last – He is under control of the circumstances. Our lives are in His hand.
• The One who was died and came to life again. He is the living and exalted as the Supreme Lord. He will help us to stand fast against all the trials and temptation in life
The message of the Lord is very clear: do not fear but be faithful.
The Promise Reward (2:10b) - "... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
Please take note that this reward is not eternal life .Eternal life is a gift through faith or personal belief in Jesus Christ (John 1:11-12; 3:16; 1 John 5:11-12). This is a special reward for endurance under persecution.
Note that victory in this present life is closely associated with occupation and orientation to the weightier things of eternity and the glories which shall follow (2 Cor. 4:16-18). Here is one of those things which should distinguish believers from unbelievers. Believers are to be sojourners who live with a view to eternity, while unbelievers are scripturally classified as earthdwellers (1 Pet. 1:17; 2:11; Rev. 3:10; Isa. 24:17).- J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M.
The Counsel and Assurance (2:11) - "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death."
WE have to take heed the admonition and exhortation of our Lord. We have to hear the message of Christ.
The overcomer shall be delivered from the second death. What is second death? The second death is eternal separation from God in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:1, 14). The believers who overcome in persecution shall escape the second death. Though we will face physical death, we are assured that we will not taste the second death which is the eternal separation from God.
To overcome means here to remain faithful to the Lord even if it meant death.
REFLECTION:
1. What specific circumstances in your life that seems you are like walking barefoot on the broken glasses?
2. How did you react to those circumstances?
3. Does it change the condition of your faithfulness to God?
John MacArthur writes:
We have seen the poor little rich church--crushed, but exuding a fragrance. When the Christian faces tribulation and poverty, he can shine. Jesus says, "Don’t worry about the tribulation; just be faithful. And if you are, I will reward you." Some day Christ is going to come. In Revelation 22:12 Jesus says, "... behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me ...." He will give that reward to the faithful believer. The crown of life is the martyr’s crown for the one who dies for Christ. That’s a very select group
By the next time life jams your toe or scrapes a shin, remember the promises of God to those who are faithful and who overcomes. Always remember my dear brothers and sisters, whatever you gone have through, God knows all of them. God knows your trials, pain and hardship.
LET US PRAY
