Sunday, May 27, 2018 am
NT Church 2017-18 (59)
A Study of Churches (6)
7 Churches of Asia (3) - Smyrna
We
have begun examining the 7 churches of Asia.
From these learn various characteristics that churches can
possess. After introducing
the vision and noting the structure of the various letters, we noted the
church at Ephesus last week.
A church that did many things right, yet it had lost its first love.
Today we notice the church at
Smyrna. Depending, we may
add Philadelphia.
a.
Another prominent city
in Asia. It was large and
populous, though not quite as large as Ephesus.
But it competed with Ephesus and Pergamos in many ways for
prestige in the Roman Empire, including the title, “First of Asia”.
It too had a harbor and engaged in much trade.
It was a wealthy city.
b.
It was a city known for
its beauty and culture. The
city included a library, large stadium and theater.
It was prominent in trading wines.
c.
Idolatry.
There was a wide street in its midst called, “the Golden Street.”
On one end was a temple to Zeus and on the other a temple to
Cybele, the goddess of Smyrna. There
was also a temple to the goddess Roma.
Around 26 AD, the city
was given the honor of building an Asian temple to Tiberius because of
its faithfulness to Rome.
The city was a center of cultic Caesar worship.
This became a center where on a yearly basis, citizens were
required to “burn a pinch to Caesar” in order to maintain status and
privilege to trade in the city.
As a rule, Rome didn’t care who you worshipped, so long as you
recognized their religion.
When Christians refused to engage in this act because of idolatry, it
came with a serious cost, which could easily add to their poverty, and
further persecutions.
d.
There was also a
prominent Jewish community and synagogue. We know from this text, as
well as early secular history that there was great hostility against
Christians by the Jews.
a.
Christians
were facing persecutions and would do so in this city as the letter to
them warns.
Even after the destruction of Jerusalem, Jews still despised Christians,
including at Smyrna. In
fact, around 169 AD, Polycarp (one of the more prominent ‘Church
Fathers’) was burned at the stake in Smyrna.
Polycarp very possibly knew John and was a Christian during the
time the Bible was being written.
As he was about to be executed he was given one last opportunity
to worship the godhead of Caesar or die.
He said, “Eighty and six years have I served Christ, and he has
never done me wrong. How can
I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
And he was executed.
Barclay notes that while Polycarp was being executed on the
Sabbath the Jews were shouting for his death.
In fact, “the Jews were foremost in gathering faggots (embers)
for the fire, thereby breaking their own Sabbath law.”
This could explain a statement made in the letter.
a.
Jesus described – “the
First and the Last, who was dead and came to life” – both
descriptions Jesus used –
i.
“First and the last” – Revelation 22:12-13, as well as when He spoke to John –
Revelation 1:8, 17. Meaning:
Jesus existed before and created all things.
He will bring all things of this universe to an end.
Furthermore, He is OVER all things.
Consider Isaiah 44:6,
“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of
hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.“
ii.
“Was dead and came to life” – Jesus was resurrected.
This is a fundamental teaching of our faith.
We are here not only because Jesus died, but also because He
arose – 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, etc. This
is followed by a defense of the resurrection of Jesus and our consequent
resurrection. Throughout
Acts – the resurrection is a prominent theme and one that often-provoked
controversy.
An interesting observation about Smyrna is that it was a very old city
that dated well into the 2nd century BC (or earlier) but was
destroyed in the 600s BC, and was “resurrected” around 334 BC under
Alexander the Great. Often
the letters addressed the history and culture of the city.
b.
Commendation
–
i.
Smyrna is one of two
letters about which nothing negative is said.
ii.
“I know your works” – again, the Lord always takes notice, even what we are doing
right. AND how they are
dealing with others from without, as is the case in this church.
iii.
Tribulation
– a word meaning pressure or a pressing together (compressing or
squeezing). It is a
reference to being seriously troubled, a state of oppressive adversity.
As Christians, we are reminded that we will face adversities.
2 Timothy 3:12
Both as individuals and as congregations, the New Testament addresses
troubles they faced because of their faith.
We know it was a troubling time.
But how do we handle troubling times?
We are NOT promised that they will be removed from us, but we are
provided what we need to endure – Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13,
Romans 8:31-38
Tribulations, while not pleasant, can either destroy us OR make us
better (cf. Romans 5:3-5).
Think of the oyster, who is given an irritant that eventually becomes a
beautiful pearl.
iv.
Poverty – a
word meaning great poverty, a state of insufficiency, having very little
or nothing. The Greek
has at least 2 words for poverty, the other word meaning one who has
nothing to share, sometimes translated poor (cf. Luke 21:2, 2
Corinthians 9:9). Mostly,
poor is a form of the word in
our text.
The point is they had little of this world’s possessions (much like 2
Corinthians 8:1-2). It is
likely, based upon the text and culture, that part of the reason for
their destitute sake was their loyalty to God which they REFUSED to
surrender.
v.
But you are rich – wealthy, well off. We have
come to understand that wealth is found in many different forms.
While the worldly seek this worlds treasures, the Christian has
treasure elsewhere.
God doesn’t look at how much we have materially and really doesn’t care.
In fact, if you have more, He expects more of you!
(Think of the rich, young ruler here).
THOSE who belong to Him are viewed as rich in His eyes.
God provides us with spiritual
riches – Ephesians 1:3 – He has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in Christ. Paul
proceeds to describe some of them.
We are to lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven – Matthew 6:19-21.
We are to be rich in faith (James 2:5) and good works (1 Timothy 6:18).
And do not forget what we get when we trust Him – Luke 18:29-30 – we
will receive them in this life many times over AND in the age to come,
eternal life.
This is why we describe this church as “the poor-rich church”.
vi.
I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews but are a synagogue of
Satan -
Blasphemy means to slander, to speak ill against someone so as to harm
them or their reputation in some way.
Often such is directed against God, but it can also be said of
His followers, as is likely the case here (or maybe both) – this
blasphemy is a product of the false teacher – 1 Timothy 6:4 (reviling),
and is an attitude we are to put off – Ephesians 4:31, Colossians 3:8;
Jesus said it was a product of the heart – Matthew 15:19.
The synagogue of Satan
here probably means that the Jewish community was at least in part
implicit in their sufferings.
It is possible they were instigating it and helping to turn much
of the city against Christians.
Tradition says that they would inform the Romans where Christians
were meeting so that they could persecute them.
The New Testament is filled with passages that show the hostility of
the Jews toward Christians – Acts 14:2 – Jews stirred up the
Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren; Acts 13:45 –
with Paul in Antioch of Pisidia, the Jews become Jealous when Paul
addresses the Gentiles. They
were filled with envy, and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed
the things spoken by Paul.
Acts 17:5ff – in Thessalonica, the Jews became envious and found evil
men to make cause troubles.
Etc. Also in many of Paul’s
letters he has to deal with this conflict.
The letter describes them as “a synagogue of Satan” meaning he
was now their ruler. By
rejecting Jesus, the Jews were rejecting the very purpose for the Law of
Moses – to bring us to the Messiah (Galatians 3:19-25).
Is it any wonder Jesus called them children of the devil (John
8:44)?
Recall how Paul declared who spiritual Israel really is – Romans 2:28-29
(Philippians 3:3).
c.
Call to action
i.
Do not fear those things you are about to suffer.
They have been suffering, and now they are told that it will endure a
little while longer.
They were told some would be put in prison – typically, this meant that
they were facing death for their faith.
In vs. 10 they are told, “you will
have tribulation ten days” – 10 days is a complete number, here
meaning a full and set period of time.
The promise is it will be over after awhile.
We are reminded by this that what we endure is viewed as “our
light affliction which is but for a moment” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
ii.
Do not fear
– we CANNOT let fear keep us from doing what is right, and standing up for
what is right. This is another way of saying, “have faith” or “keep
believing”.
Luke 12:4-5 – do not fear man for he can only do so much, instead fear
God who can cast into hell.
Matthew 10:32-33 – we must confess Him for Him to confess us.
Philippians 1:27-28 – let your conduct be worthy of the gospel, and not
in any way terrified by your enemies.
Be reminded of Revelation 21:8 – the cowardly (includes those who give
in to their fears) will not inherit the kingdom of God.
iii.
Be faithful until death - Faithful means to have steadfast allegiance, being
trustworthy, dependable and reliable.
One worthy of trust. The
challenge is to not give up.
This reminds us of the possibility of becoming unfaithful – Luke 9:62 –
Jesus noted that one who looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – run to win the prize.
Run with discipline lest you be
disqualified.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 – we need to finish the course and keep the faith!
Hebrews 3:6 – we hold fast our confidence and hope firm to the end.
Until death – does this
mean, until you die OR to the point of dying?
The answer is – BOTH!
Revelation 14:13 speaks of how blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame
him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and
they did not love their lives to the death.
Psalm 116:15, Precious in the
sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
iv.
He who has an ear, let him hear… - we must hear His message.
We must listen to Him!
d.
Promised reward
i.
You will receive the crown of life – this is a victor’s crown.
Typically, when winning a competition of some sort, the victor
would be crowned with a wreath to show his victory.
More than once, we are promised this crown if we remain faithful – 1
Corinthians 9:24-25 – we are competing for an imperishable crown.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 – the “crown of life” awaits us
NOTE that this is
conditional – the crown is given to the one who finishes the race,
who has kept the faith, and has be faithful to death!
ii.
He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death
– later in Revelation we learn a little more about the two deaths and
two resurrections.
Summarized they are:
1st death – the death of sin – Romans 6:23
1st resurrection – obeying the gospel – Romans 6:3-4, OR the
overcoming the forces of evil described later in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 20:4-6 discuss the first resurrection and second
death. What is clear is
these are those who are faithful to God.
2nd resurrection – the resurrection of the dead for judgment
– John 5:28
2nd death – eternal separation from God – Matthew 25:46, 41,
Revelation 20:6, 14, 21:8
We must do whatever we can to avoid the second death.
a.
First, this is a
faithful congregation.
Unlike Ephesus (and Sardis and Laodicea), there are no ungodly attitudes
dealt with. They clearly
love the Lord, which is manifest not just by their stand for truth, but
their willingness to pay the price and sacrifice for it.
In fact, as a result of their love for the Lord, they have paid a
price. Perhaps the less
convicted have left, as have family and friends of those whom the church
took measures against for the sake of purity and unity.
But with their mutual love for truth and like-mindedness
(Philippians 2:1-2), they love each other and stand with each other,
REGARDLESS of the outward cost.
They may be substantial material costs, but they still stand
firm. They may be poor with
material possessions, but not in the matters God thinks about.
They have stood for truth even in the face of a hostile society around
them. They stand firm on
moral issues and they refuse to compromise to appease the ungodly.
They preach the whole counsel of God, even when it is politically
incorrect. (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
Standing firm on God’s word and convictions, they have been ridiculed by
other so-called faiths for refusing to “go along”, and maybe even
quarantined by others who are supposed to be their brethren.
b.
In America today, we
still have freedom of religion.
But enemies of the cross and doing what they can to change that.
We are living in society that is increasingly more hostile toward
a conservative and convicted stand on God’s word.
Governments are passing laws to restrict what we teach and
testing the waters to see how far they get before they have to back off
(for a season). Courts are
increasingly ruling against our freedom of religion.
We are reading of churches, preachers and believers being
arrested or persecuted because of their moral stands.
Do we stand with them?
Friends, IF things keep going as they are, there may come a day when we
face similar threats from the government and the ungodly of society as
Sardis faced.
c.
We are already being
evil spoken of – cf. Matthew 10:24-25, 5:10-12, 1 Peter 4:12-14, etc.
And what is making this possible is: 1) a society that is complacent, 2)
a generation that has not been taught to honor God and respect
authority, but instead to reject Him, 3) a “church culture” that is more
interested in compromise and stay silent, than a stand for truth, and 4)
brethren who are doing the same thing.
We
may not be suffering to the degree that Smyrna was, but are we prepared
and willing to do so? Let’s
be honest about this! Are we
paying a price because of our stand for the truth?
How great is that price?
And finally – why or why not?
May we look to Smyrna with a resolve to do better.
Think about it!