The Persecuted church

• 1^st – Introduction… vs. 8
  • FOUR sections
    • Each of the LETTERS to the churches contains FOUR sections…
    • Introduction – Positive – Negative – and Encouragement…
    • Not all of the churches receive all FOUR sections…
    • TWO of the churches receive no NEGATIVE – Smyrna and Philadelphia
    • ONE of the churches did not get any POSITIVE – Laodicea!
  • 2^nd – The Angel…
    • To the angel!
    • As you will recall – there are TWO thoughts on WHO this ANGEL was…
    • FIRST – a guardian ANGEL – who watched over Smyrna – Psalm 91:11
    • SECOND – it could be the PASTOR of the church…
    • ANGEL [ἄγγελος] – means messenger – one who gives Gods WORD…
    • Therefore Jesus could be talking about the PASTOR – who gave the church His Word!
  • 3^rd – The City…
    • The church of Smyrna write!
      • SMYRNA [σμύρνα] – comes from the root work MYRRH…
      • MYRRH – is an expensive fragrant perfume – extracted from crushing a tree [Commiphora]
      • It was one of THREE gifts given to Jesus as His birth – Matthew 2:11
      • But it is also a beautiful picture of the PERSECUTED church…
      • When we SUFFER for our FAITH in Jesus – when we are CRUSHED…
      • We give off the FRAGRANCE of CHRIST – which is TREASURED by our LORD!
      • II Corinthians 2:14 – “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ – and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”
    • Izmir…
      • Smyrna – located about 80 milometers north of the city of Ephesus…
      • The only city of all the SEVEN churches that is still a MAJOR city today…
      • Modern day Izmir – has a population over FOUR million – THIRD largest city in Turkey…
      • It is a major PORT city – located right on the Aegean Sea [Mediterranean]
      • But although the CULTURE is very EUROPEAN…
      • The main RELIGION – as is all of TURKEY – is ISLAM!
      • This is the ONE church we were NOT able to see all of…
      • We stopped by here on the LAST day of our TOUR – and the TRAFFIC was horrible…
      • HALF the group missed it – the other HALF just saw the SITE from behind BARS…
      • So our TRIBULATION – was TRAFFIC that ended up putting us behind BARS!
    • Roman city…
      • The City of Smyrna has a LONG history of FALSE faiths…
      • From the time of the writing of the Book of Revelation – they persecuted Christians…
      • They were the HEART of EMPEROR [Tiberias] worship is the easter Roman Empire…
      • The penalty for refusing to WORSHIP the EMPEROR – was DEATH…
      • Which is no doubt the source of much of their TRIBULATION!
  • 4^th – The TONE…
    • Describing Jesus…
      • In His INTRODUCTION to each of the Churches – Jesus looks back…
      • Highlighting specific CHARACTERISTICS of the Vision from – Revelation 1:11-18
      • The choice of CHARACTERISTICS – will set the TONE for the LETTER to that church…
      • With SMYRNA – Jesus will highlight the fact that DEATH is not the END!
    • These things says the First and the Last – who was dead – and came to life!
      • The FIRST and the LAST – is a TITLE for GOD [יְהוָה] – Isaiah 41:4
      • God [Jesus] – was PERSECUTED – He SUFFERED – and He DIED for the Gospel…
      • Which would have been a VERY relatable message for the church in SMYRNA…
      • As no doubt many of them were PERSECUTED – and even KILLED for their FAITH…
      • But Jesus did NOT stay DEAD – He was RESURRECTED – He is ALIVE!
      • I always LOVE going to the GARDEN tomb in Israel…
      • Because you do not LOOK into the grave to see a BODY – it is EMPTY…
      • Because Jesus is NOT dead – He is RISEN – Luke 24:5-6
    • DEATH is not the END…
      • I Corinthians 15:20 – “Christ is risen from the dead – and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
      • The Bible uses the word SLEEP – to describe the DEATH of a believer…
      • Because for us it is not the END – we have the hope of eternal LIFE to come…
      • Jesus was the FIRST to be resurrected – but all who believe will follow His example!
      • Most of the world lives their LIVES – like this life is all that matters…
      • Their choices – their priorities – all revolve around what happens NOW…
      • But life does NOT end when we DIE – DEATH is just the beginning…
      • And if we have the RIGHT perspective – we will CHOSE to live for ETERNITY!

• 2^nd – The Positive… vs. 9-10
  • 1^st – Jesus KNOWS…
    • I know your works!
    • KNOWS [εἴδω] – to SEE and UNDERSTAND…
    • Jesus will make this statement to all SEVEN churches – He sees EVERYTHING!
    • GOOD and BAD – nothing [perfect] is hidden from our Lord!
    • Hebrews 4:13 – “There is no creature hidden from His sight – but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
      
  • 2^nd – Tribulation…
    • I know your… tribulation!
      • TRIBULATION [θλῖψις] – to press or CRUSH – like GRAPES in a wine press…
      • The church in SMYRNA was being PRESSED for their FAITH in Jesus…
      • They were trying to STAND up for Jesus – in a CITY sold out to worshiping CAESAR!
    • What causes TRIBULATION…
      • John 15:18 – “If the world hates you – you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world – the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world – but I chose you out of the world – therefore the world hates you.”
      • The world hates Jesus because He convicts the world of their SIN…
      • Because men LOVE sin – they hate the LIGHT that reveals their sinfulness – John 3:19-20
      • What we have to ask ourselves – is do we make an unbelieving world uncomfortable…
      • Because if we do not face TRIBULATION – then is Jesus is really in us!
    • Why does God allow TRIBULATION…
      • When Paul was in Asia [Ephesus] – likely the RIOT of Demetris – Acts 19:31
      • He tells us that he experienced great TRIBULATION…
      • But he goes on to tell us WHY Good would allow that to happen!
      • II Corinthians 1:8-9 – “We do not want you to be ignorant… of our trouble [θλῖψις] which came to us in Asia [Ephesus]: that we were burdened beyond measure – above strength – so that we despaired even of life. Yes – we had the sentence of death in ourselves – that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead!”
      • TRIBULATION allows us to be CRUSHED – so that we learn NOT to trust in ourselves…
      • We learn instead to depend on the strength of God – II Corinthians 12:9
    • What is the RESULT of TRIBULATION…
      • Rewind several decades and the church in Nepal only number around TEN thousand…
      • The cost to being baptized in Nepal – was a SEVEN year prison sentence…
      • The one who baptized a believer – got a FOURTEEN year prison sentence…
      • But these believers would tell other prisoners about Jesus…
      • And when these new believers were released – they shared with their families…
      • So their families got saved – then baptized – and ended up back in prison…
      • For years Nepal had to build HUGE prisons – just to hold the church!
      • Today there are over SEVEN hundred thousand Christians in Nepal!
      • When times are easy – we are WEAK because we depend on OUR abilities…
      • And the church is WEAK – because it is full of people who are NOT sold out for Jesus…
      • But when we are ARRESTED for preaching Jesus – PERSECUTED for our faith…
      • We can NO longer DEPEND on ourselves – we are forced to DEPEND on God…
      • And when we are DEPENDENT on God – that is when we are UNSTOPPABLE!
  • 3^rd – Poverty…
    • I know your… poverty!
      • POOR [πτωχεία] – to be a BEGGAR – have no EARTHLY wealth…
      • There was a PRACTICAL consequence for the FAITH of the Christians in Smyrna…
      • People would NOT hire them – they would NOT give them business…
      • As a RESULT – they became very POOR!
      • When we REJECT worldly MORALS – and instead live by what is RIGHT…
      • It may mean we are OVERLOOKED for a promotion – or we may not get the CONTRACT…
      • Because we REFUSE to play the game the world does – LIE – CHEAT – STEAL!
    • But you are rich!
      • Jesus throws a POWERFUL contrast into His statement…
      • The BELIEVERS in SMYRNA were POOR – in worldly terms – they had no MONEY…
      • But they were RICH in others ways – they were RICH in FAITH…
      • They had more WEALTH in the KINGDOM of God – than any earthy sum could compare to!
      • We only have so much TIME in life – where do we USE it…
      • If spend all of our TIME – seeking after the riches of THIS life – we waste it…
      • How much better to spend our TIME – becoming RICH in the KINGDOM of God!
      • Matthew 6:19-20 – “Do not [store] for yourselves treasures on earth… [store] for yourselves treasures in heaven!”
  • 4^th – Synagogue of satan…
    • I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews!
      • The BELIEVERS in SMYRNA – no doubt looked to the JEWS as allies…
      • As the CHOSEN people of God – they should have been the FIRST to respond to the Gospel…
      • But many REJECTED the message – and instead COMPROMISED – Acts 18:6
      • Perhaps like the JEWS who crucified Christ – they BLASPHEMED and said:
      • John 19:15 – “We have no king but Caesar!”
    • [They] are not [Jews] – but are a synagogue of Satan!
      • SYNAGOGUE [συναγωγή] – where Jews would GATHER to worship God…
      • SATAN [Σατανᾶς] – the word means the ACCUSER…
      • This could refer to the JEWS in SMYRNA – literally worshiping SATAN…
      • Perhaps by COMPROMISING their FAITH – as they accepted the worship of CAESAR…
      • Or it could refer to them ACCUSING Christians who refused to bow to CAESAR…
      • Either way – they were not TRUE Jews – because of their ACTIONS!
      • Attacks on our FAITH do not ALWAYS come from without…
      • Sometimes – people who we think are our BELIEVERS – cause the most TRIBULATION…
      • Just because someone goes to CHURCH [συναγωγή] does not mean they follow Christ…
      • We need to look at the FRUIT coming from their LIVES…
      • If they are not DRAWING us closer to Jesus – they might well be from the ENEMY!
      • Luke 11:23 – “He who is not with Me is against Me – and he who does not gather… scatters.”

• 3^rd – The Negative… vs. 10
  • 1^st – No need to FEAR…
    • No NEGATIVE…
      • The church in SMYRNA – is one of TWO churches [Philadelphia] – that have no NEGATIVE…
      • A church that was under CONSTANT persecution – was a HEALTHY church…
      • Because their TRIBULATION caused them to CLING to Jesus…
      • Although there is no NEGATIVE – there is a COMMAND!
    • Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer!
      • Do NOT [imperative] FEAR [φοβέω] – ANYONE [μηδείς] 
      • Anytime the Bible says NOT to be AFRAID – it is a guarantee we are TERRIFIED…
      • And as we will see – there was GOOD reason for the CHURCH to be AFRAID…
      • There was a LOT more intense PERSECUTION that was still coming!
      • But FEAR is not a response – it is a CHOICE – we chose based on what we are looking at…
      • If we are looking at our circumstances – then we CHOOSE to be AFRAID…
      • If we look to the Lord – then we by FAITH – have nothing to FEAR!
      • Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us – who can be against us?”
  • 2^nd – Persecution with a purpose…
    • Indeed – the devil is about to throw some of you into prison!
      • INDEED [εἴδω] – Jesus commanded [imperative] the church to LOOK…
      • The DEVIL [διάβολος] – the FALSE accuser – our ENEMY…
      • Would put BELIEVERS into PRISON [refusing to bow to Caesar]
      • Jesus wanted the church to LOOK at the DEVIL casting them into PRISON…
      • Because He wanted the church to know WHY He allowed it!
    • That you may be tested!
      • TEST [πειράζω] – can alternately be translated as TEMPTATION…
      • How can we tell the difference between a TEST [trial] or a TEMPTATION…
      • A TRIAL is a TEST from God – but a TEMPTATION comes from our own lust – James 1:13
      • After Israel entered the Promised Land – a new generation rose that did not know God…
      • They found themselves in a Land littered with godless people…
      • GOD used these enemies to give Israel an OPTION – whom did they want to serve…
      • The pagans would be a TEST for Israel – see whether or not they would obey the Lord!
      • Judges 2:22 – “Through them I may test Israel – whether they will keep the ways of the Lord…”
      • We do not get to really know who someone is when life is easy…
      • The real test of character is how they act when life falls apart…
      • God uses TRIALS in life to TEST our heart – let us see what we are made of…
      • God already knows – but He wants US to see what is in OUR hearts!
  • 3^rd – Persecution with an end…
    • You will have tribulation ten days!
      • Jesus put a LIMIT on the LENGTH of the PERSECUTION of the church in SMYRNA…
      • There is quite a bit of DEBATE one what these TEN days represent:
    • FOUR views:
      • FIRST – it could be TEN literal days – but that seems unlikely [to short a time frame]
      • SECOND – it could be a Jewish EUPHEMISM for a short period – [seems to vague]
      • THIRD – it could be referring to TEN Roman Emperors – who would persecute Christianity…
      • This one seems more likely – as the worship of Caesar was the root of their PERSECUTION…
      • FOURTH – the number TEN is used in the Bible to describe the Governments of MEN…
      • The TEN horns of the beast in Daniel 7:24 – the TEN heads – Revelation 12:3
      • The idea might be that as long as MEN rule on earth – there will be PERSECUTION!
      • No matter which VIEW you like – the point is the SAME…
      • The PERSECUTION does not LAST – it has a LIMITED amount of time!
  • 4^th – Persecution with a reward…
    • Be faithful until death – and I will give you the crown of life!
      • Have [imperative] FAITH until DEATH – meaning the persecution might cost their LIVES…
      • But even if they DIED – they would have a great REWARD – the CROWN of life!
    • What is the CROWN – TWO possibilities…
      • I Corinthians 3:12-14 – “Each ones work will become clear for the Day will declare it – because it will be revealed by fire… If anyones work… endures he will receive a reward.”
      • Anything done with a selfish motive is wood – hay – and stubble – burned up in the fire…
      • But anything we do out of a RIGHT heart will be gold – silver – and jewels – not burned…
      • Then at BEMA seat of Christ – II Corinthians 5:10
      • We will receive rewards – CROWNS – for the good things done for the Lord…
      • We can then throw the Crowns at the feet of Jesus – Revelation 4:10
        
    • The problem with CROWNS as rewards…
      • CROWN [στέφανος] – is only described FIVE times in the Bible…
      • I Corinthians 9:25 – II Timothy 4:8 – James 1:12 – I Peter 5:4 – Revelation 2:10
      • FIRST – CROWN is always SINGULAR – NOT crowns – meaning there is only ONE…
      • SECOND – the description of the CROWN – suggests it is ETERNAL life…
      • Eternal Crown – Crown of Righteousness – Crown of Glory – Crown of Life…
      • THIRD – the idea of CROWNS as REWARDS – focuses on the wrong thing…
      • We are looking to receive a REWARD from the Lord – as if He owes us!
    • Our CROWN is Eternal life…
      • As Steven was stoned to death after confronting the Jews – Acts 7:56
      • He looked up and saw Jesus – STANDING at the right hand of the Father in heaven…
      • Jesus does not STAND at the right hand – He SITS – Colossian 3:1 / Hebrews 8:1
      • Jesus stood because He was PROUD of His son – He was cheering him as he came home!
      • Whether we are saved young or old – we have a CROWN – Matthew 20:1-16
      • Whether we were a famous Apostle – or no one knows our name – we have a CROWN…
      • ANYONE who holds to the FAITH – even though they suffer PERSECUTION…
      • Will one day get to hear the WORDS – well done good and faithful servant…
      • Not because of what we did for the Lord – but because of what Jesus did for us…
      • And every hardship – sorrow in this life will have been worth it – because we are home!

But the question we have to ask – is did we use our time here to LIVE for Jesus!

4^th – The encouragement… vs. 11

1^st – Listen…

He who has an ear – let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!

This was NOT written just for the church in SMYRNA…

It is for ANYONE who has an EAR – they MUST [imperative] LISTEN…

Because the SPIRIT of God is SPEAKING [present] to ALL churches [plural]

This LETTER is for us – Jesus is writing to us TODAY…

If we are willing to LISTEN to what His SPIRIT has to SAY…

He tells us NOT to FEAR – any TRIBULATION we go through has a PURPOSE…

He is using it to TEACH us to depend on Jesus – TEST our hearts…

But it will NOT last – and in the END – we will receive a CROWN!

2^nd – Second death…

He who overcomes!

This same CONCLUSION – is given to all SEVEN churches…

There are a variety of REWARDS described – but all with the same CONDITION…

OVERCOME [νικάω] – to those who have VICTORY [present]

For SMYRNA – VICTORY – meant not FEARING the PERSECUTION…

And the reward for doing that – was NOT being HURT by the SECOND death! 

Shall not be hurt by the second death!

God does NOT promise that we will NOT die for our FAITH…

He does promise – that will NOT have to face the SECOND death…

The SECOND death – is a reference to the LAKE of fire – Revelation 21:8

Polycarp was a DISCIPLE of the APOSTLE John…

The PASTOR of the church in SMYRNA – he was arrested when he was 86 years old…

He was given a change to RENOUNCE his faith – so his life could be spared…

[Jesus] has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior!

He was threatened – if he did not RENOUNCE – he would be fed to wild animals…

It is unthinkable for me to repent from what is good to turn to what is evil!

He was given one last chance – if he did not RENOUNCE – he would be BURNED…

You threaten me with fire which burns for an hour – and is then extinguished…

But you know nothing of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment!

So they lit the FIRE – but it did NOT burn Polycarp…

Instead it formed a circle around him – and the sweet fragrance [MYRRH] filled the air…

Unwilling to let him LIVE – the ROMANS drove a sword into him – sending him HOME…

But it is said that his BLOOD – put out the FIRE…

And it was his DEATH – that ended the PERSECUTION of the church in SMYRNA!

Should Jesus tarry – we will all one day DIE…