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Past Ponderings

Friday, November 25, 2016

PONDERING... Pure and Persecuted: A Lesson from Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11)

Pure and Persecuted: A Lesson from Smyrna
GIST: Let trials and persecution purify your faith.
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 2:8-11
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto 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. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

BACKGROUND: A BEAUTIFUL SITE OF PERSECUTION
(Again, I will keep these mini-lessons in history short.) 
     Smyrna has a really interesting history. Like Ephesus, it was a prominent city in Asia Minor being a center of science and medicine. Historically, this harbor city was also known as the most beautiful city in the region, and was often referred to as the crown or diadem of Smyrna (The Encyclopedia of the Bible). And, there is a lot of history here. There seems to have always been some civilization in this spot. According to the good old Encyclopedia Brittanica, "Excavations indicate settlement contemporary with that of the first city of Troy, dating from the 3rd millennium [BC]. Greek settlement is first clearly attested by the presence of pottery dating from about 1000 [BC]. " And, unlike Ephesus, there is still a thriving community here today. Now called Izmir, it is the third most populated city in Turkey--approximately 3.5 million inhabitants (http://www.izmir.com/city-history).
     However, this city was not only a beautiful center of science and medicine, but also the center of Caesar Worship. Along with having temples to major Greek gods like Zeus, Aphrodite, and Apollo (and a temple in tribute to the epic writer: Homer, who was likely born here), "every year, every citizen of Smyrna had to burn incense to Caesar... and receive then a certificate that you had done that. Without a certificate, you would be persecuted because you were violating the highest law in Smyrna. To be without a certificate, as must have been the case for Christians who would not say Caesar is Lord, but only Jesus is Lord, was to risk discovery and death" (John MacArthur on Smyrna).
     We don't know who started the church in this city, but we do know that it was faithful in the mist of great persecution. It has often been noted that its name was almost prophetic, in fact. Smyrna means myrrh--which was a spice used as a perfume, and often to anoint dead bodies. However, to get the strong fragrance it had to be crushed. This church was crushed, but offered up a beautiful fragrance to Christ. It is one of only two churches in this section which receives no rebuke. It is the pure persecuted church.

(Side Note: The city itself, though beautiful, was also known to offer up some interesting smells. Since their sewage system had no drains...rainy weather was...interesting.)

MESSAGE: TAKEAWAYS FROM A CHURCH REFINED BY PERSECUTION
     There is a lot we can learn from this body of believers. Let's just walk through the letter and take the message as it was given.

1. 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
     This is fitting encouragement to a persecuted church. Remember, each letter starts with a description of Jesus from the image we saw in chapter 1 (click here to read more). The image used here is one that reminds us of Jesus' eternity and sacrifice. Who is writing Smyrna? The God who has always been and always will be. The God who holds all of life's trials and joys in His hands. The God who, in fact, ordains them all. AND, the God who came and suffered and died so that we could be saved.

2. 9 “‘I know your tribulation
     Every letter starts by Jesus reminding the church that He knows. He tells Smyrna He knows their tribulation. Not only is He aware of them, but He understands. He too suffered...but even more.
     Smyrna is in the face of much tribulation. Remember, the city was the seat of much pagan worship, but in particular the worship of Caesar. This church stood strong on the truth of the gospel. They refused to worship Caesar or the false gods of Rome, so they were persecuted. They were not just social outcasts, but killed for their faith. And, in addition to these persecutions from the state, they were being persecuted by the Jewish community (as we will see in a moment).
     Nonetheless, Jesus knew. In the midst of persecution, we serve a God who suffered Hell for us. This is no small comfort. We looked at this verse last week, but it bears repeating.
"26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself."-Hebrews 7:26-27

3. and your poverty (but you are rich)
     Again, Jesus knows their poverty. "58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”" (Luke 9:58) This church is said to be poor...but rich. Externally, they had nothing. The Greek term here implies complete destitution. Yet, they were rich...eternally. Again, I quote these verses often, but oh how we need to remember this:
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison," 2 Corinthians 4:17
"19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-20
     We live in a society that seeks worldly wealth obsessively. May we not fall victim to this destructive fallacy. Money is not evil, but loving it is. ("24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."-Matthew 6:24) There are riches of far more value than earthly worth--those laid up in Heaven.

4. and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
     There was Jewish persecution in Smyrna. This is not somehow an attack on Jews, but rather a reference to those claiming to be Jews who are not (or not what that term originally meant). Paul wrote in Romans 2, "28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God." We see Jesus making a very similar statement to this in John 8 that I think really clarifies this verse:
"39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”"- John 8:39-47
     They were called a synagogue of Satan because they were rejecting Jesus and serving sin. In reference to this, nearly every commentary and sermon I studied on this passage mentioned the example of Polycarp. He was a disciple of John and a pastor in Smyrna in the first century. In his late 80's, he was burned at the stake due to Jewish persecution. Here's a segment from Fox's Book of Martyrs:
"[After being told to deny Christ,] Polycarp answered, "Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me?" At the stake to which he was only tied, but not nailed as usual, as he assured them he should stand immovable, the flames, on their kindling the fagots, encircled his body, like an arch, without touching him; and the executioner, on seeing this, was ordered to pierce him with a sword, when so great a quantity of blood flowed out as extinguished the fire. But his body, at the instigation of the enemies of the Gospel, especially Jews, was ordered to be consumed in the pile, and the request of his friends, who wished to give it Christian burial, rejected. They nevertheless collected his bones and as much of his remains as possible, and caused them to be decently interred."

5. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.
     Is telling them there will be more suffering encouragement? Yes, actually. I think this is really key to understanding why this church persevered in the first place. Jesus told them not to be afraid because even though more suffering will come (imprisonment and tribulation) it is for their good (it will test them), and it will not last forever (ten days). Often, persecution produces purity because there is no room for frivolity.
     Let's look a little closer at two points here. First, this testing is allowed by Jesus and executed by the devil. This is much like the situation described in the book of Job. Trials will be hard, but they are not without purpose. They present us with an opportunity for growth. Of course, the opposite can also happen. However, like Smyrna's example, and like we see illustrated throughout Scripture, we should "2 Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).
     Secondly, I just want to briefly address the time period mentioned here, ten days. Of course, as is often the case in Revelation, much speculation surrounds numbers. Could this mean ten actual days? Sure. Could it stand for some longer symbolic period of time? Sure. Either way, what is being emphasized here is that no mater how long this persecution is, it is not forever. Relative to to eternity, it is very brief...so-->

6. Be faithful unto 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. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
     And here we have the final encouragement. What will be the result of continuing in faithful service?
     1. The crown of life- Yes, both of these promises ultimately mean HEAVEN. However, there is a reason why these two illustrations are given. First, there is a contrast here between the crown of life and what Smyrna was commonly known as--the crown of Smyrna. Smyrna might be beautiful and enjoy much prosperity in this life. BUT, the persecuted church from Smyrna (and all faithful churches) will be given an eternal crown which far outshines all earthly splendor.
     2. Not hurt by Second Death- In life, this church endured much pain. The second death, however, is spiritual (Hell). After this life, they will no longer suffer.

     And how has the church of Smyrna faired? We know there is no church in Ephesus. This is not true of Smyrna. According to The Encyclopedia of the Bible, "They continued to stand, and Smyrna was one of the Asian cities which withstood the Turk, and was among the last to fall to Islam." John MacAthur estimates that there are actually several bodies of believes now in Izmir. Though they are still persecuted, they remain.


FINAL THOUGHTS?
     In conclusion...well let's just look at this again: 2 Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).

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