Learning God

7 Churches of Revelation

2. Smyrna

Sections

Introduction

The Structure of the Letters

  1. Ephesus
  2. Smyrna
  3. Pergamos
  4. Thyatira
  5. Sardis
  6. Philadelphia
  7. Laodicea

Smyrna

  1. Scripture
  2. Historical Background
  3. Meaning of the Name & Title Chosen
  4. Commendations/Criticisms/Exhortation
  5. Promise to Overcomer
  6. What it Means to Us / Prophetic Profile


The Commendations

“9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. (Rev 2:9)

Blasphemy of the non-Jews: The Church that “replaces” Israel? Appropriating Israel’s promises to themselves?

Tribulation

  • Tribulation = thlipsis. 1) a pressing, pressing together, pressure. 2) metaphor for oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits.
  • Not the specific “Great Tribulation”; we all shall have tribulation,
  • Revelation 22:13
  • trouble, persecution (Jn 16:33; 2 Tim 3:12, etc.).
  • “Poverty but rich”: vs. Laodicea, rich but poor (Rev 3:17; 2 Cor 8:9).
  • Two words for poverty in the Greek: penia, the state of having
  • nothing superfluous; and ptocheia (here), the state of one who has nothing at all; implies beggary.
  • “I know your suffering”: Jn 16:33; 2 Tim 3:12. It could have been relieved by simply a pinch of incense offered to Caesar…

Jews “Who Are Not”

  • Blasphemy: “Synagogue of Satan.” John knows about blasphemy of Jews (Jn 8:44).
  • Legalism: leaven of Galatians
  • – Demand of Gentile circumcision Acts 15:1,10
  • – Peter is rebuked by Paul Gal 2:11; 3:1-3
  • – Peter agrees 2 Pet 3 :15-16
  • Early persecution was brought on by the Jews not the Romans
    • In Antioch Acts13:50
    • in Iconium Acts14:2,5
    • in Lystra Acts14:19
    • in Thessalonica Acts 17:5

Tragic heresy of the Church today: the view that Israel has been “replaced.” Very early in Church history the Church became anti- semitic. Tragic for the Jews (who suffered atrocities under the banner of “Christ”), but also for the Church because we lost our Jewish “roots.” Christian knowledge of the Old Testament is tragically lacking. [Do you feel “Jewish”? Cf. Rom 2:28-29; Deut 10:16; 30:6.]

Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna

  • In 166 A.D., the bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp, refused to recant
  • “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me wrong. How can I now blaspheme my King who has loved me so?”
  • The old man was burned at the stake on the sabbath day, an object of Jewish hatred as well as from the Roman persecution.

“Tares” Sown in Early Church

  • Legalism: denial of Christ’s completed work.
  • Gnosticism: denial of Christ’s humanity.

Caesar worship: denial of Christ’s Lordship.


The Criticisms

Note: there is no “Criticism” in this letter. The Lord has no word of complaint. They were satisfying His heart (2 Cor 8:9).


The Exhortation

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Rev 2:10)

“10 Days”

  1. 54-68             Nero (Paul beheaded; Peter crucified upside-down)
  2. 95-96              Domitian (John exiled)
  3. 104-117         Trajan (Ignatius burned at the stake)
  4. 161-180         Marcus Aurelius (Polycarp martyred)
  5. 200-211         Septimus Severus ( killed Irenaeus)
  6. 235-237         Maximinus (killed Ursula and Hippolytus)
  7. 249-251         Decius
  8. 257-260         Valerian
  9. 270-275         Aurelian
  10. 303-313         Diocletian (Worst of all)

        10 total          250 years!

Roman Persecution

  • Famine and pestilence falls on Rome. Diseases brought back from the Parthian wars devastated much of Rome and inundation from the Tiber put much of the grain storehouses under water.
  • The Christians were a convenient scapegoat. These disasters were brought on by this new religion, so Christianity became a crime…
  • 5 million believers died for Christ during this period…Fox’s Book of Martyrs.

“Crown”:ThetermisStef, anojstephanos,notdiadem.InSmyrna,the priests of the various deities in Smyrna were termed stephanophori, in reference to the laurel or golden crowns which they used to wear in public processions. They were awarded this honor at the end of their year of office.

Crowns Promised

“Crown”: Reward for works (not salvation) Jas 1:12. Their reward is with Him: at the “Bema” seat.

  • Crown of Life (Jas 1:12; Rev 2:10) for those who have suffered for His sake.
  • Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim 4:8) for those who loved His appearing.
  • Crown of Glory (1 Pet 5:4) for those who fed the flock.
  • Crown Incorruptible (1 Cor 9:25) for those who press on steadfastly.
  • Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thess 2:19) for those who win souls.

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