SMYRNA, SAVED TO SUFFER
#219 SMYRNA, SAVED TO SUFFER
Scripture Revelation 2:8-11 NIV Orig. Date 1/23/1966
Rewr. Dates 9/12/1986
Attached: 10/17/1999 for Alabama Baptist Church
Passage: 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 to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 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. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Purpose: Continuing a series from the Revelation letters, showing how a church under severe persecution was secure in the care of God.
Keywords: Church Faithfulness Suffering
Timeline/Series: Revelation Letters
Introduction
Smyrna is the only one of the cities listed among these seven that still survives. It is the modern Turkish city of Izmir. It was near to Ephesus, about 35 miles north on the Aegean coast. Documents survive that tell of Polycarp, an early pastor, and his martyrdom.
The following account of Polycarp’s death is recorded in Bettenson’s Documents of the Christian Church1:
Polycarp was brought before the proconsul in the stadium at Smyrna. At the time it was filled with a mob, itching for a blood-letting.
Proconsul: “Curse the Christ.”
Polycarp: “Eighty-six years have I served Him and He hath done me no wrong; how can I blaspheme my king who saved me?”
Proconsul: “Swear by the genius of Caesar.”
Polycarp: “I am a Christian.”
Proconsul: “I have wild beasts, repent or I will throw you to them.”
Polycarp: “Send for them, for repentance from better to worse is not a change permitted us.”
Proconsul: “I will make thee to be consumed by fire if thou repentest not.”
Polycarp: “Thou threatenest the fire that burns for an hour and in a little while is quenched; for thou knowest not the fire of judgment to come, and the fire of eternal punishment reserved for the ungodly.”1
I. The Text First Tells of Smyrna’s Saviour.
The church needed to know that this message was from the Lord. V8 “These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.” To Ephesus—It had been the One walking “amidst . . . seven golden candlesticks.” Ephesus needed to remember sovereignty. Smyrna needed the message of hope in face of tribulation.
The message was with great clarity The One dead for their sin. The One alive to make intercession.
We need to be reminded about this church. The name Smyrna means myrrh. Myrrh had to be crushed to emit its fragrance. Not a church [in a] magnificent building but one gathering in caves and catacombs; hated, outlawed, persecuted.
The Lord reminds them of His positional sovereignty. He knows their works; tribulation, poverty, blasphemy of enemies. He knows how to counsel their struggles.
II. The Text Next Teaches of Smyrna’s Spirituality.
The spirituality of work: actually, the word “works” does not appear. The rendering is “I know you.” In the Christian faith, there is no difference between us and our works.
The spirituality of tribulation: literally, the pressure of crushing weight, used of woman in childbirth, city under siege. 2 Corinthians 1:6: “And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” See 2 Corinthians 11;24-30.
The spirituality of poverty: it is the term for one destitute of wealth. 2 Corinthians 8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” Luke 6:20 “Blessed are ye poor.” They live in an antagonistic environment. Think of the Jews during World War II. Blacks in South Africa today. Believers in Russia.
Penia—one who has nothing extra. Ptocheia—one who has nothing. Christians were from lower classes, often were slaves.
III. The Text Goes on to Describe Smyrna’s Satanic Surroundings. V9 “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan.”
There were ex-church members who became Jews to prevent losing their few possessions. Their problems were brought on by Jews. Antioch—Acts 13:50; Iconium—Acts 14:2,5; Lystra—Acts 14:19; Thessalonica—Acts 17:5. The Christian does not have the option of anti-semitism: Christ was a Jew.
These were, in reality, Jews who had sold out their religious heritage by worshiping the emperor. Romans 2:28-29 “For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly. . . . But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter. . . .”
IV. The Teaching Goes on to Include Smyrna’s Suffering. V10 “The devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days.”
Tribulation—same word as before.
The significance of “Ten.” Literal ten days; ten imperial persecutions—from Nero (64 AD to 312 AD) there were ten imperial persecutions; a brief period; extreme, complete persecution.
Remember significance of name—myrrh. They would be cast into prison. Prisons were to await execution. Matthew 10:28 “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.”
The futurists believe that Smyrna represented the church age between AD 170-312.
V. Finally, the Text Declares Smyrna’s Salvation. V10 “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Not the diadema (royal crown) but the stephanos (victor wreath).
Smyrna was famous for its games (Olympic). Location of Mt. Pagos—crown of Smyrna.
The promise to the overcomer. V11 “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Shall not, never. “Second death”—Rabbinic term for death of wicked in next world. Death in the sense of physical demise. Romans 6:23 “Wages of sin is death.” Death in the sense of final punishment. Death in the sense of unpardonable sin.
Conclusion
Here having our first encounter with numbers we are required to deal with what we may expect. Later we will encounter 666, the number of the beast, the facilitation of evil. It is so because it comes short of the perfect number 777. When Nero Caesar was transposed into Hebrew from Greek, the number assignments totaled 666. The name Jesus, totaled 888. By contrast, we see the personification of evil in Nero; and the personification of good in Christ (888). We will have much to learn from these number evaluations as they appear in Revelation.
For Alabama Baptist Church on 10/17/1999: Revelation Letters
Superscription to the church—“To the angel of the church in Smyrna.”
2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14
Description of the divine author—“These are the words of Him who is the first and the last.”
2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14
Account of their spiritual conditions—“I know your afflictions and your poverty.”
2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15
Message of praise or censure—“Do not be afraid.”
2:2-4, 9-10, 13-14, 19-20; 3:1-2, 8, 15-16
Exhortation of some special need—“Do not be afraid.”
2:4, 10, 16, 20-22; 3:3, 9, 16
Promise to the one overcoming—“Be faithful . . . and I will give you the crown of life.”
2:7, 10, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 20
Attention commanded to the Spirit—“He who has an ear let him hear.”
2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22
1 Bettenson, H. (Ed.), (1967) Documents of the Christian Church (1st edition). Oxford: Oxford University.
EPHESUS: EAGER BUT INDIGENT
#215 EPHESUS: EAGER BUT INDIGENT
Scripture Revelation 2:1-7, NIV Orig. 1/16/1966
Rewr. 8/30/1986
Passage: 1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Purpose: Using a Sunday evening series on the seven letters, sharing with my people the need for the church to be faithful to God and His commands.
Keywords: Faithfulness Obedience
Timeline/Series: Revelation letters
Introduction
The first concept of this book is declared by the name which the book bears, Apocalypsis Ioannis, the Revelation of John. The text clarifies this for us. It is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ . . . Unto His Servant John,” The word “Revelation,” better defined means to “uncover,” “to lay bare,” “to expose what has been kept in secret.” It is, then, a disclosure of truth. Paul uses this very word in I Corinthians 2:9-10a, Phillips:
“9-10a But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him’. But God has, through the Spirit, let us share his secret.”
Here are main approaches to The Book of Revelation by those who seek to understand its message. They are as follows:
· (1) Historist. The historical perspective—The entire book was written to all then-existent churches through these seven churches named in chapters 2 and 3. Some go so far as to suggest that Revelation is without significance to us outside of affording us a possible history lesson.
· (2) Futurist. The prophetic perspective—The churches listed represent various epochs through all history. Ephesus represented the apostolic times. One of these latter ones represents the church today.
· (3) Idealist. The transcending perspective—Through these seven churches, God speaks to all churches through-out all time.
A brief background of the city is that this was one of the chief cities of the day. It was wealthy, cultured, and corrupt. It stood nearest to Patmos, from which place John received his vision. Paul seems to have been the one who organized the church. On his second journey, he spent two years there. John, before his present exile to an Aegean isle spent years in and around Ephesus as pastor and itinerant evangelist.
I. First, it contains an introduction to the people.
It is from the Lord. Precedent is Revelation 1:17-20. “I am the first and last: I am he that liveth . . . The seven stars are the angels . . . and the seven candlesticks . . . are the seven churches.” He is the One who holds these “messengers” in His hand. It is His message, He is the guarantor of its delivery. His presence among His people is assured. Revelation 1:3, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: For the time is at hand.”
John 10:28. 28 ”I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Kratein---holding, rather to “hold fast.” He “walks” (in the sense of thoroughly). This letter is to the church in Ephesus. As already mentioned, John had been its pastor. Because of its location, and link with both Paul and John. It was an important link. However, the church is loosening this hold on “first love.”
II. Secondly, it is a message of instruction. V4 “. . . I have somewhat against thee . . . . Remember therefore.”
A look at what has been. Diligence to duty: work—service rendered; labor—toil at the cost of pain; patience—unwavering endurance. Chris Evert—16 years in the Open. More important, people who have come back again and again to serve. Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well-doing.” They had been zealous against evil. V2 “cannot bear (evil) ones.”
The Lord knows as well what they have left undone. There are sins of commission. We do what ought to remain undone. There are also sins of omission. We leave undone what we clearly ought to do. Jesus spoke of it thusly—“They have left their first love.” It is not in the sense of deserting the cause, as in the case of Demas “hath forsaken us.” But in the sense of neglect—the verb, by the way, is singular. Here’s the rub—they were working their heads off, but not for Christ’s sake, but rather their own. Remember the parable of seeds/soil. Some sprang up quickly, but without roots going deep to nourishment they perished.
III. In Addition to Words of Introduction and Instruction, there is an Injunction. V5, “Remember . . . or else.”
“Remember” the prodigal son—refer again to those glorious years you served out of love for Christ. When you were repulsed. When you were maligned and jeered. When the idea of the church was scorned. When believers joined slowly, but they came in with redeemed hearts. Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you scribes, Pharisees. You do what appeals to the flesh. You leave undone judgment, mercy, faith.” Which you should have done with leaving others undone.
“Repent”—Not mere intellectual enlightenment. 2 Corinthians 7:9f “I rejoiced, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed unto repentance: . . . godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of.” Abhorrence over our sins. Heartbreak over our inability to change. It is interesting to consider the idea of the church symbolized by the candlestick where the light has gone out, a candlestick is just one more thing to stumble over in the dark.
“Return”—to this prior love for Christ, to work done for His glory. Hebrews 3:3 “For this man was counted worthy of more honor than Moses, inasmuch as he who has builded the house hath more honor than the house.” Jeremiah 2:2 “Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.”
Or, “Retribution”—2:5 “I will remove the candlestick.” Ephesus is no more. The ruins are there, and they are impressive. Temple of Diana (7 wonders), stadium, market. It was here, you remember, that Paul opposed the silversmiths. Here was a Roman bath containing over 100,000 square feet. A harbor city, called “the market of Asia.” But a place of pagan superstitions, and immorality was rampant.
IV. We Must Be Especially Sure that We Grasp the Message to Churches for Our Day.
Christ is Lord of every church. His voice must be heard on determination of leadership. Episkopos—overseer (to watch over); presbuteros—elder, level of spiritual expertise; poimen—pastor/shepherd. He gives leadership to each church. “Walketh in the midst.” “I know your works.”
He is the One qualified to dispense rewards and punishments. He judges all activities. He judges on the basis of heart response and not lip service. Ephesians 6:8 “Whatsoever good any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord whether he be bond or free.” I Corinthians 5:10 “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, whether it be good or bad.”
Love for Christ must be primary in the church. II Timothy 1:12, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him.”
The church’s charter is temporary—valid only so long as we are faithful to our Lord. Ephesus today is an archaeologist’s dream, nothing more. A city passed by. The Cayster silted in. She is miles from the Aegean.
Conclusion
Dr. F.D. Coggan, Archbishop of York, has a pertinent word for us in conclusion. He says that fulfilling the command of the Lord is the prerequisite to church renewal: “Obey, and you will be renewed. It is as simple as that.” He goes on to add, “I had rather, 10,000 times rather, incur the divine rebuke for error in method, or even in doctrine, in a task done in obedience to his command, than I would to hear Him say, ‘I told you to go and you never went.’”
THE TWO CHOICES OF THE CHURCH
#222 THE TWO CHOICES OF THE CHURCH
Scripture Revelation 2:12-17, NIV Orig. Date 1/30/1966
Rewr. Dates 1/1982; 9/15/1986
Passage: 12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
Purpose: Continuing the series on the Revelation letters, sharing with my people the two choices (faithfulness/forfeiture) confronting the church at Pergamos, and, in reality, our own church.
Keywords: Disobedience Faithfulness Revelation
Timeline/Series: Revelation Letters
Introduction
This is the third of the letters forwarded by John of Patmos to the Asian churches. They were from the Lord. The churches would receive them, and then they would be circulated to other churches. The first letter named John’s beloved church at Ephesus. They were reminded that being a body of Christ was more than just starting well. The Ephesian church was organized by Paul, pastored by the “beloved” apostle. But she must also remain true to her Lord. It was the Lord’s intent to “hold” them in His hand. Only by His holding could they remain permanently fixed. And, as a lampstand, they were to continue to shed light in the darkness around them. Ceasing to do so, the lampstand was just something else to stumble over in the darkness.
Then came the letter to Smyrna, another city of great importance in the Roman world. The city fathers were interested in becoming the “Rome” of Asia. Persecution was the offing for anyone who did not understand that tenet, and work with it in their lives. But the believers already had One who was Lord. They could not, must not worship Caesar. What was not said to the church at Smyrna is indicative of a people who have made their choice to be faithful. We are told of the kind of poverty found there. We are told that these people had nothing, but they committed it faithfully to their Lord. Now, the church at Pergamos.
I. A Reminder of the Spirit’s Passion to Protect. V12 “These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword: I know.”
The Christ has perfect knowledge of them. He knows the condition of their lives. He knows their faithfulness. He knows their sacrifices. He knows when they fail.
It is His purpose to protect them in their faith and in their failure. He is put forth as One having “the sharp, two-edged sword”—a weapon with which to defend those or whom He is responsible; a like weapon of discipline; and edge for war and one for witnessing. The sword is for our care, but it may sometimes be used to chasten.
The same blade may be used in the garden to remove the churlish weed, or to prune the over-anxious seedling.
So, the Spirit knows the circumstance of these struggling believers in Pergamos. Theirs was a famous city, called by Pliny “By far the most famous city in Asia.” A provincial capital for 400 years, formed on authority from Rome in 133 BC. Not great commercially, but culturally: Library with 200,000 parchment rolls; vellum invented here; Aristophanes, librarian of Alexandria [was] enticed [here]—Ptolemy locked him up, placed embargo on papyrus. Great religious center—site of Satan’s seat: altar to Zeus—high on hill [(at Acropolis)]; Asclepius—god of healing; administrative center of efforts to Romanize (emperor worship). Word for “live” carries the idea of permanent residents (believers often considered “sojourners”).
A final thought on “sword.” The proconsul had “right of the sword”—a life or death power over others; believers were comforted by the knowledge of sword-bearing protector. Hebrews 4:12 “The word of God which is sharper than any two-edged sword.”
II. A Record of the Believer’s Faithfulness to Obey. V13 “I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith.”
Works are seen in commitment under fire. Again, “works” does not appear. Remember Smyrna, “I know you.” Pergamos, “I know where you are.”
What is the essential lesson for the Christian in regard to giving? Many of us know how to give %. Some even go so far as to give of time and talent. But the first offering of faith has to be that of obedience. Too many give to cloak godlessness. Some Christians give to mask their continued disobedience.
Some at Pergamos were giving of themselves. Luke 11:42 “But woe to you Pharisees, for you tithe mint and rue, and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God. These ought ye to have done and not left the other undone.” II Corinthians 8:5 “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord.” With this intense and remarkable faith, they elected to remain here in this difficult city, perhaps the most difficult in the empire for Christians. Here, where “Satan’s seat” is. Not Zeus, not Asclepius, but Satan tempting to Romanize. One of the great principles of the faith is of conquest, demeaning escape.
III. A Remonstrance Against Satanic Influence. V14 “. . . Thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, . . . so . . . also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.”
The Old Testament reference to “Balaam.” “Doctrine”—didache/formal teaching (both). Not Balaam’s doctrine, but teaching about Balaam. Balak of Moab tried to use Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 23). It was Balaam’s desire to do so. He prepared bullocks on seven altars to entice God. When he went anyway, an angel with a sword stopped his donkey. Numbers 31:15 speaks of trespass, unfaithful act, treachery. Balaam’s advice was to tempt Israel/idol-worship.
Additionally there is reference to Nicolaitans. They were seen at Ephesus (2:6). “Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans.” Perhaps Ephesus 4:14-5:12 “Every wind of doctrine” [and] 5:11 “have no fellowship [with] the unfruitful works of darkness.”
Kiddo, one of the great Greek scholars, is quoted by Robert Mounce (New International Committee [panel that published the NIV translation]) “. . . the church’s (Pergamos) path lay between 2 deadly giants: legalism [with] its exaltation of trivialities and [Pharisees’] insistence on codes of rules, and antinomianism which in its reliance upon a devoted spirit insisted upon freedom from the tyranny of legal precepts and prohibitions.” The church was being tempted to be like the world. Don’t expect them to change, we must.
IV. Finally, a Reminder of Individual Christian Duty. V16 “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
As at Ephesus, they were to repent. The problem at Ephesus was a correct but unloving spirit. Here, the error pervading the church went unchallenged. Will the real church please stand up? (Stand out?)
The weapon that is threatened against them is the same by which they were to be defended. The “sword of my mouth” cannot be other than the word of God through Jesus. 1:15 “Out of his mouth came a double-edged sword.” 19:15 “Out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword; that with it he should smite the nations. The sword of Rome has been put to use. The text tells of Antipas. History tells us of Polycarp (1) at Smyrna, others. With the sword of His mouth, the Gospel, Christ won the battle for Antipas, all the others.
Finally, to the one overcoming, there are two great hidden promises. The hidden manna—a Jewish tradition held that when Solomon’s Temple was destroyed, the manna secreted there (Exodus 16:32f, Hebrews 9:4) [was] taken by Jeremiah and hidden (II Maccabees) which was to be revealed/Messiah. The white stone—a small stone mined near Pergamos and used throughout the Empire: Tried and acquitted of crime; freed from slavery; victor in the games; warrior home from the wars.
***THE REMAINDER OF THIS SERMON HAS BEEN LOST***
1 Bettenson, H. (Ed.), (1967) Documents of the Christian Church (1st edition). Oxford: Oxford University.