Smyrna: Riches Within Poverty

Smyrna: Riches within Poverty

Revelation 2: 8-11

Today we come to Smyrna, the second church within the series of letters John was instructed to write in the Revelation. It is interesting to note, that of the seven churches, only two received all praise and encouragement from the Lord, with no rebuke for willful sin. Smyrna is one, and Philadelphia is the other.

"Smyrna (modern Izmir) was a harbor city located about forty miles northwest of Ephesus and the second stop for a messenger traveling the counterclockwise loop to visit the seven churches. Smyrna maintained strong ties to Rome as the first city to build a temple to the goddess Roma (195 BC) and the guardian of the second imperial cult temple in Asia (AD 26). While Smyrna was well known in the ancient world as a city of beauty, especially regarding its architecture, some portray it as a city of suffering by connecting its name with the Greek word for “myrrh,” a costly spice used in burial rituals. For Christians, the reality of suffering was strongly tied to the local unbelieving Jewish community that instigated persecution against Christians, perhaps by accusing them before the Roman authorities. Witherington notes that according to one estimation the total population of the Roman Empire in the late first century was sixty million, of which five million were Jews and fifty thousand were Christians. The Jewish condemnation of Christians in Smyrna continued into the second century, when the Jews betrayed Polycarp, a disciple of the apostle John and bishop of Smyrna, resulting in his martyrdom." (i)

As we consider the letter to Smyrna, we find that Jesus encouraged the church to faithfully endure suffering, being confident that He was able to bring life out of death and blessing out of adversity. While we examine the details of this letter, I want to consider: Smyrna – Riches within Poverty.

I. The Authority of the Church (8) – And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive. The word church means a “called out assembly”. This was no ordinary group; they had been called out, separated unto the Lord to serve and follow Him. Unlike most of that day, they weren’t serving idols, but a risen Savior.

The message was given by Christ himself. Notice His authority – He is the First and the Last. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is the one which was dead, and is alive. Jesus also suffered, was rejected and crucified at the hands of sinful men, but He overcame death and rose again victorious. This wasn’t a group with no purpose, with no hope for the future; they were the church of the living God. He was their authority for existence and their provision to endure faithful.

We have the same authority today. We aren’t serving a dead idol, but a risen Savior. We can declare like Job, “I know that my Redeemer lives!” We don’t have to look to others for our authority. We are not depending on society, the culture around us, or even denominational leaders to guide our service and worship. Christ is our example, our authority, and we must be determined to follow Him.

II. The Acknowledgment of the Church (9a) – I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich). Christ was well aware of their position. He knew where they were and the problems they faced. Nah.1:7 – The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust him. We may feel at times that we are alone, but Christ knows those who are His. Notice:

A. Jesus knew their Works – I know thy works. Christ was aware of the work they were doing through the faith. He realized they were laboring in the harvest, even in the face of death.

He is aware of our works as well. We all endure difficulties as we strive to serve, but we must abide faithful, even in the face of adversity. You may feel that your work is in vain and unnoticed, but we are assured that our Lord is aware and He is able to provide.

B. Jesus knew their Worry – I know thy works, and tribulation. He was aware of their tribulation. Tribulation has a meaning of “pressure; or pressing together.” It carries the idea of a great millstone, crushing and grinding the chaff from the wheat. He was aware of the great pressure they were under, and the afflictions they endured. The believers in Smyrna suffered greatly for their faith and commitment to Christ.

We aren’t dealing with such affliction today, but we too must deal with the pressure brought about by those who deny the faith and would rather the church be silenced. We can be strong when pressures come, confident Christ is aware of the afflictions we face. We don’t have to bear it alone.