____________________________________________________________________ THE REVELATION The Church At Smyrna Revelation 2:8 (NKJV) The Persecuted Church 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, Smyrna: Port city located in a harbor on the west coast of Asia Minor − Modern city of Izmir, Turkey − It was ranked as one of the most beautiful cities in Asia − Referred to as The Crown of Ionia and The Ornament of Asia − The harbor stimulated trade and commerce that developed the city of Smyrna into a commercial metropolis. − It was also a center for the worship of the Greek god Dionysus – the god of wine − In Paul’s day, Smyrna had 250,000 inhabitants Smyrna: Ally of Rome and was given favor for its loyalty − It boasted that is was the most loyal to Rome of all the Asian cities − It was a center for Imperial worship – the worship of Caesar as God − Persecution broke out against the Christians to show loyalty to Rome The Bible doesn’t tell us how the church at Smyrna started − Acts 19:1 – Paul visited Smyrna on his way to Ephesus and found disciples there − We do know that the Church in Smyrna was characterized by it’s endurance of suffering and poverty in the cause of the Gospel Revelation 2:8–9 (NKJV) The Persecuted Church ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I What’s The Name Of Your Church: Smyrna / Revelation 2:8-11 © 2011 Holland Davis ____________________________________________________________________ THE REVELATION know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. NOTE: Smyrna is translated myrrh. Myrrh was used in embalming dead bodies. Jesus recognizes 4 strengths of the church at Smyrna: Their Works − The word for works is the Gr. word “Ergon” − It refers to works of peace and services that were done for the public welfare of the community − It carries with it the idea that life is a work of God and by stepping into the work of God man is stepping into God’s redemptive work in culture − This is the social justice church… today the Church faces issues such as human trafficking, disaster relief and medical missions – all works of peace and services that are done in order to be a witness to a city, a region or a nation. − Mother Teresa and her work amongst the poor in India would fall into this category Their Tribulation − The Gr. word used here refers to harassment, affliction or oppression − Smyrna was known as a base for emperor worship − In 195 B.C. it built a temple for Dea Roma, the goddess of Rome. − In 26 A.D. it dedicated a temple to Emperor Tiberius and boasted to be first in emperor worship. − Each person was required to worship the emperor regularly − The Christians refusal to worship Caesar brought persecution, harassment and martyrdom − History records the martyrdom of Polycarp − Tradition tells us that the Apostle John discipled and appointed Polycarp as Bishop of Smyrna − Polycarp was responsible for converting many from Gnosticism − He confronted the church’s most troublesome heretic, the Gnostic Marcion, calling him “the firstborn of Satan.” What’s The Name Of Your Church: Smyrna / Revelation 2:8-11 © 2011 Holland Davis ____________________________________________________________________ THE REVELATION − He had little formal education, was unpretentious, humble and direct − After his arrest, he was interrogated. Christian History Magazine reports this… He was escorted to the local proconsul, Statius Quadratus, who interrogated him in front of a crowd of curious onlookers. Polycarp seemed unfazed by the interrogation; he carried on a witty dialogue with Quadratus until Quadratus lost his temper and threatened Polycarp: he’d be thrown to wild beasts, he’d be burned at the stake, and so on. Polycarp just told Quadratus that while the proconsul’s fire lasts but a little while, the fires of judgment (“reserved for the ungodly,” he slyly added) cannot be quenched. Polycarp concluded, “But why do you delay? Come, do what you will.” − Polycarp was burned at the stake in the stadium in 156 AD. − His refusal to renounce His faith in Christ is vividly described in the Martyrdom of Polycarp: But as Polycarp entered the stadium, there came a voice...from heaven: "Be strong, Polycarp, and act like a man." And no one saw the speaker, but those of our people who were present heard the voice. And then, as he was brought forward, there was a great tumult when they heard that Polycarp had been arrested. Therefore, when he was brought before him, the proconsul asked if he were Polycarp. And when he confessed that he was, the proconsul tried to persuade him to recant, saying," Have respect for your age," and other such things as they are accustomed to say: "Swear by the Genius [Guardian Spirit] of Caesar; repent; say, 'Away with the atheists!' " So Polycarp solemnly looked at the whole crowd of lawless heathen who were in the stadium, motioned toward them with his hand, and then (groaning as he looked up to heaven) said, "Away with the atheist!" But when the magistrate persisted and said, "Swear the oath, and I will release you; revile Christ," Polycarp replied, "For eighty-six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" Their Poverty What’s The Name Of Your Church: Smyrna / Revelation 2:8-11 © 2011 Holland Davis ____________________________________________________________________ THE REVELATION − The word used for poverty refers to one who is destitute, without any property − The poverty of the Apostolic churches in such a wealthy city like Smyrna, is significant and implies economic persecution − There are three possible explanations for their poverty 1. It could be that the converts were drawn mostly from the poorer classes 1 Corinthians 1:26 (NKJV) Glory Only in the Lord 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 2. It could be the demands made on them by their faith – i.e. they distributed their wealth to the poor 2 Corinthians 8:2 (NKJV) 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3. It could also be due to persecution Hebrews 10:34 (NKJV) 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. − When the wealthy believed in Christ, their property was confiscated − This is hard for us to relate to… however − If an Orthodox Jew converts to Christianity, the parents hold a funeral service and the child is considered dead − If a Mormon converts, they are shunned by the community and they are not considered for promotions or raises within a company Jesus says though they lack material goods, they are rich spiritually. 1 Corinthians 4:8 (NKJV) What’s The Name Of Your Church: Smyrna / Revelation 2:8-11 © 2011 Holland Davis ____________________________________________________________________ THE REVELATION 8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! The strength of the Church is not found in it’s wealth or riches or power or might. The strength of the Church is found in our relationship to Jesus and the riches of His grace and love in our lives. Their Persecution Revelation 2:9 (NKJV) 9 “I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. This group is referred to later in Revelation 3:9 Revelation 3:9 (NKJV) 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. There are two possible ways to understand this scripture − The first is to differentiate based on relationship to Christ − The Jewish population in Smyrna was sizable and hostile to the local church. − From Acts and Galatians we know that the Jews caused great opposition to the proclamation of the gospel − Paul makes the distinction between a Jew culturally and a Jew spiritually Romans 9:6 (NKJV) Israel’s Rejection and God’s Purpose 6 For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, − The implication is that the Jews in Smyrna who have come to Christ What’s The Name Of Your Church: Smyrna / Revelation 2:8-11 © 2011 Holland Davis ____________________________________________________________________ THE REVELATION were Jews inwardly as well as outwardly. − The second view is to differentiate based on allegiance to Judaism − Smyrna was a city of culture in which many Jews discarded their belief in the Old Testament − Although they claimed to be Jews, when a Jew rejects their religion there is a question whether or not he is a Jew − Ignatius mentioned a group of Jewish renegades – Jews who claimed to be Jews by birth, but because of their desire to gain favor with Rome and local authorities – they slandered the early Christians by falsely accusing them – causing them to be arrested − This group of Jews were sympathetic to the worship of Caesar − They rejected the worship of God for position, power or wealth and gave allegiance to Rome by joining in the Imperial Worship of Caesar − This would make them of the synagogue of Satan – not the synagogue of God Rather than give a word of confrontation, Jesus encourages them… Revelation 2:10 (NKJV) 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.