The Message to Smyrna
Book of Revelation
Chapter 2 Verses 8 through 11
The word Smyrna
means bitterness. This is the word that describes this Church at
Smyrna.
The city of Smyrna
had suffered through many wars and was destroyed and laid in ruins
until it was rebuilt by Alexander the Great in a new place a few
miles from the old city of ruins. Those of Smyrna had learned some
valuable lessons, or at least they had thought so.
In the wars with
Rome, Smyrna quickly became faithful to Rome and was rewarded for it.
It was Smyrna who
was one of the first cities to build a temple to the new Emperor.
It is said that
everyone in the city had to come twice each year to publicly declare
Caesar as Lord.
If a Christian
refused, they were tortured or put to death.
They also erected a
temple to Homer, because they claimed to be the birthplace of Homer.
Homer was the great Greek poet.
Smyrna also built a
temple to Zeus, one of the Roman gods.
The city of Smyrna
had learned their lessons from the past and would always choose to be
on the side of the strongest and of the victor, which is not always
the best side to be on.
The city Smyrna
began to be a city full of pagan worship and pagan rituals.
This is the backdrop
from which this Church in Smyrna was established.
We may not know who
it was that started this Church, but we do know that Polycarp who was
a disciple of the Apostle John was an early Pastor there.
Polycarp could not
be the Messenger that this message was addressed to, because he came
to Smyrna only after the death of John.
The Christian Church
at Smyrna still hold Polycarp in high honor today.
One man writes, this
church was established by Paul and one of the first Pastors at this
time could have been Apelles who is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in
his salutes to Christians.
Rom 16:10 Salute
“Apelles” approved in Christ. Salute them which are of
Aristobulus' household.
When Rome began to
persecute Christians in Smyrna, Christians suffered much through
dreadful torments.
They were put to
death at the stake, or killed and mauled by wild animals in great
arenas, while the stands were full of the enemies of God, laughing
and enjoying, while Christians were mauled and maimed and put to
death.
Even Polycarp was
put to death during this time in 155 AD.
It is said that
while the Romans were burning Polycarp, that the flames formed an
arch above his head, and he was not injured until a Roman soldier
murdered him with a spear. Sounds familiar does it not!
Some people go
outside the law to kill Christians and get away with it!
The Romans intended
to stamp out Christianity in these early years of the Church.
It is also said that
persecution came from Judaizers who also hated the Church.
The church also
suffered through false teaching, which is the greatest enemy of the
Church as a whole.
We can see that it
was just tough to be Christian in the city of Smyrna!
It is also said that
today the Church is still thriving in Smyrna, so all these enemies of
the Church failed.
Here again we will
see that this letter from Jesus, is addressed to the Angel or the
Pastor of the Church of Smyrna.
*****Rev 2:8 And
unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the
first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Look how Jesus says,
His own persecution caused His death and He overcame that death, when
He arose from that death to new life.
Every Christian will
overcome death and live in a new life in a new place called the New
Heaven and the New Jerusalem. This is the message that we need to
understand!
Jesus totally
understood the conditions that this Pastor, or Preacher or however
you describe him, was going through, as he witnessed the things his
flock suffered.
I know how our
Pastor stands before us each week and tells us of those in our own
church family, who have been taken on to Heaven to be with the Lord
and those who are suffering and those with sickness.
2Co 5:1 For we know
that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have
a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens.
2Co 5:2 For in this
we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which
is from heaven:
2Co 5:3 If so be
that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
2Co 5:4 For we that
are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we
would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be
swallowed up of life.
2Co 5:5 Now he that
hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given
unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
2Co 5:6 Therefore
we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the
body, we are absent from the Lord:
2Co 5:7 (For we
walk by faith, not by sight:)
2Co 5:8 We are
confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and
to be present with the Lord.
2Co 5:9 Wherefore
we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of
him.
When the Pastor of
the Church in Smyrna stood before his own flock every week, he told
of all those who were murdered and mauled in the arena and other
places and were persecuted just because they refused to reject the
Lord Jesus Christ.
It was a daily thing
that some Christian was murdered in Smyrna.
It was a daily thing
that some Christian was persecuted in Smyrna.
It was a terrible
place to live if you were a Christian, in Smyrna.
We know that, before
these people even felt the pains of death, they were already with the
Lord!
We also know that
wounds will heal, and a heart sold out to the Lord, will not quit on
the Lord!
To many of these
seven churches Jesus criticized many things, but to this church in
Smyrna Jesus let them know that He understood their persecution and
His proof was His own death by persecution.
Rev 1:17 And when I
saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon
me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Rev 1:18 I am he
that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,
Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
This same message
goes out to those going through severe persecution today in the many
places where it is just hard to be Christians.
It is hard to be a
Christian in a Muslim dominated country.
It is hard to be a
Christian in a Hindu dominated country.
It is getting hard
to be true Christians even in America, because the Church is
compromising with the world.
Christian
persecution is increasing all around our world today while the
Christian Church is not even in competition with any false religion!
When you are in
possession of the truth, many will come to hear this truth!
Jesus says to them
"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for
evermore".
This is true of
every Christian whose life is taken away from them, just because they
know their Savior and will not reject Him!
The name Smyrna
signifies the substance called "myrrh".
Myrrh is used in
perfumes.
Myrrh is mingled
sometimes in wine and with gaul to deaden the mind to the things
around them. This drink was given to those who were sentenced to
death on the cross to deaden their pain and make their agony longer.
Jesus rejected this drink when it was offered to Him!
Myrrh is also used
in embalming fluid.
But Smyrna was a
proud city.
Proud of its
culture.
Proud of its beauty.
Proud of its
commercial wealth.
Proud of its social
life.
Just not proud of
the Christian Church!
The residents of
this city felt that they were living in the first city of all of
Asia.
Everyone would try
to climb the social ladder, stepping all over those who got in their
way.
The Jews in the city
took advantage of all these things and became some of the worst of
those who persecuted the Church.
In some cases if an
employee was redeemed by the Lord, they would lose their job.
Most of the
government and certain others, did everything they could do to get
this city to stamp out Christianity!
Where are the
churches like that of Smyrna located today?
According to the
“Open Doors” ministry:
1) North Korea has
the number one nation for Christian persecution for 19 consecutive
years.
If a Christian has a
Bible, or part of one, it will be carefully hidden and only read when
the believer is sure they are alone.
Most Christians do
not even tell their own children about their faith until they are
older teenagers for fear that they may let something slip.
As you can imagine,
gathering for worship in a church is non-existent.
Daring to meet other
Christians for worship is a risky feat that must be done in utmost
secrecy.
It is a miracle that
this underground church in North Korea is able to exist. But more
than that, it is growing.
2) Afghanistan:
Where Christianity exists only in secret.
Afghanistan is once
again only a point behind North Korea’s ranking on the 2020 World
Watch List.
An Islamic state by
constitution, the country does not permit any faith other than Islam
to exist; and it is illegal to convert to anything else.
To convert to a
faith outside Islam is tantamount to treason because it’s seen as a
betrayal of family, tribe, and country.
Those who are
discovered to be Christians may be sent to a mental hospital; because
their families believe no sane person would leave Islam.
They may also be
beaten or even killed by family members, or members of Islamic
extremist groups like the Taliban which continues to increase its
strength.
Violence against
Christians remains very high, but the measures taken against converts
depends on the family.
One Christian in
Afghanistan says, “How we survive daily only God knows. He knows
because He has been kind to dwell with us. But we are tired of all
the death around us.”
3) Somalia:
Christians are hunted for their faith.
Estimates suggest
that 99 percent of Somali citizens are Muslims, and any of the
minority religions are heavily persecuted.
The violent
extremist group, al-Shabab, which subscribes to the ultra-strict
Islamic doctrine of Wahhabism, advocates Shariah law as the basis for
regulating all aspects of life in Somalia.
This group has
repeatedly expressed its desire to eradicate Christians from this
country.
In every sphere of
life; private, family, community and national; being exposed as a
convert to Christianity in Somalia means life-threatening danger,
often leading to on-the-spot execution.
As a result, most
Somali Christians keep their faith completely secret. But despite the
risks, Somali people are coming to faith in Jesus; some in miraculous
ways.
4) Libya: No freedom
for Christians.
After the ouster of
former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Libya plunged into chaos and
anarchy.
And that situation
has not changed for Libyans.
The continued
absence of a single central government to uphold law and order has
enabled various Islamic militant groups to control parts of the
country.
Libyan converts to
Christianity face abuse and violence for their decision to follow
Christ.
5) Pakistan:
Constant threat of mob attacks.
In Pakistan, all
Christians (4 million out 204 million people) suffer from
institutionalized discrimination, illustrated by the fact that
occupations seen as low, dirty and derogatory are reserved for
religious minorities like Christians by the authorities.
Many Christians are
poor, and some are victims of bonded labor.
There are Christians
belonging to the middle class, as well, but this economic status
doesn’t save Christians them from being marginalized or persecuted
in an Islamic culture—believers are always at risk because of the
country’s notorious blasphemy laws.
The country’s
patriarchal culture is especially cruel to Christian women, who are
often targeted for both their faith and their gender.
An estimated 700
girls and women abducted each year are raped and then forcefully
married to Muslim men in the community, usually resulting in forced
conversions.
6) Eritrea:
Christians arrested in increasing police raids.
7) Sudan: Political
chaos increases vulnerability.
8) Yemen: Christians
targeted in chaos of civil war.
9) Iran: Illegal to
convert from Islam.
10) India: Violent
and spreading persecution.
These are the top
ten nations for Christian persecutions but there are still many
others suffering from Christian persecution today.
This is where we
find most all the Church that are like Smyrna today.
And Jesus says to
these Churches:
*****Rev 2:9 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.
There is nothing
that goes on in this world that Jesus does not know about.
Jesus does never sit
in Heaven saying, "what will I do now"!
This world is moving
along according to the plan of God and God's plan will never change.
You see the Lord
sees all those who are persecuted for their faith in Him.
In the eyes of the
world these may seem to be the most neglected people upon this earth
and there is no doubt that they suffer greatly.
Jesus knows that
they must keep their work secret and work unnoticed or they will be
found out.
In reality, it can
be said that none of the other six churches had the faith of this one
church.
They did have just a
little strength, but they were determined to do the work given to
them by the Lord Jesus.
As Christians we all
talk about the wonders of Heaven but in reality, none of us know just
how beautiful Heaven will be and the riches of Heaven far outweigh,
any riches in this life.
The saints of Smyrna
were already full of the riches of faith and love.
These saints of God
were holding up under constant persecution and affliction from their
own government and they risked their lives every time they witnessed
to those around them about the Lord Jesus Christ and the free gift of
God's Grace.
Jesus warned us all:
Mat 10:17 But
beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they
will scourge you in their synagogues;
Mat 10:18 And ye
shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a
testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Mat 10:19 But when
they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for
it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mat 10:20 For it is
not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in
you.
The church in Smyrna
clearly understood what Jesus had said!
These people
survived poverty because when you truly have nothing, you can be sure
that Jesus is all we need.
In Smyrna even the
Jews were their enemy, ignoring all the Word of God.
But who is a Jew?
Rom 2:28 For he is
not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision,
which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is
a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart,
in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but
of God.
Today in all the
places where we see churches similar to that one of Smyrna, it is not
the Jews who cause problems it is the false Christians trying to be
politically correct rather than be true to the Word of God or just
deceivers.
They too were of the
synagogue of Satan!
How did the Lord
Jesus address these issues?
*****Rev 2:10 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.
Jesus said to the
Pastor, "fear none of these things"!
Jesus also said more
persecution is coming!
This is a message we
all need to understand.
The Devil is going
to arouse all the unbelievers of this world to attack the believers.
God is going to
allow all His children to be tried!
That word "tried"
meaning to be proved reliable!
We should remember
Abraham and His son Isaac.
Heb_11:17 By faith
Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had
received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
If God tried Abraham
who do, we think we are? Are we reliable Christians? Can we stand up
to the Devil?
Php_4:13 I can do
all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
How are we to react
to those to reject us?
1Pe_4:11 If any man
speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let
him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things
may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion
for ever and ever. Amen.
Why were the saints
of Smyrna going to be so rich?
Jas_1:12 Blessed is
the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that
love him.
1Pe_1:7 That the
trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise
and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
If we are tried and
endure it according to the Word of God, we are able to receive the
praise of our Savior.
These things are not
limited to the saints of Smyrna but to every saint of God!
We can be assured
that Satan only has a short time left to do his evilness!
In fact with all the
earthquakes, volcanoes, increasing weather, pestilences such as the
Corona virus, and insects, we should all be looking up for our
redemption is drawing nigh!
This short time is
not the devil's doing, it is because the Lord is soon coming.
Heb 10:35 Cast not
away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of
reward.
Heb 10:36 For ye
have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye
might receive the promise.
Heb 10:37 For yet a
little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Heb 10:38 Now the
just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall
have no pleasure in him.
Heb 10:39 But we
are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that
believe to the saving of the soul.
We must remember
this message is intended for every church and it will always have the
same meaning.
And the Holy Spirit
says:
*****Rev 2:11 He
that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
We have no reason to
fear what this world can do to us, but it will require that we be
steady in our faith.
We must have great
faith!
How did Jesus
describe this "great faith"?
Mat 8:8 The
centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou
shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant
shall be healed.
Mat 8:9 For I am a
man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man,
Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my
servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
Mat 8:10 When Jesus
heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say
unto you, "I have not found so great faith", no, not in
Israel.
This may sound hard,
but if we just accept that the Lord Jesus will do exactly what He
said He would do and all the promises of God will be fulfilled, then
this is where we are to place our faith!
We serve a Living
God who is exceedingly able to do everything He says!
There is no greater
reward than eternal life that is lived in the presence of our Holy
God!
We must understand
that there will be a second death!
Everyone that lives
will certainly die. This is the first death.
Then there is this
second death, and it is this second death that we need to avoid, and
the Lord Jesus Christ provides that opportunity by giving us a
choice.
If we are tried and
proved faithful, we will miss out on this second death.
We must be faithful
to God's Son, Jesus Christ, even if we are going through the worst of
persecution!
2Co 4:17 For our
light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2Co 4:18 While we
look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are
not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things
which are not seen are eternal.
Our day of
"redemption" is so near that we can almost feel it. It is
not time to quit on the Lord!
Amen
Let's pray!
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