Oct 25, 2020
Revelation 2:8-11


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Revelation 2:8-11, “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’




Again, in way of introduction, there are four ways each of these seven letters should be viewed — the totality of which helps us unpack the essence of what Jesus is saying. First, there is no question Jesus was writing to an actual church located in each of these seven ancient cities! As such, the first-century context of each locality is 100% necessary. 




Secondly, we understand that in writing to seven churches Jesus is relaying a message to every church throughout all time. A letter addressed to one church was to be disseminated throughout “the churches.” What this means is within the substance of this letter to this church in Smyrna we find an interesting word from Jesus to our church — Calvary316. 




Thirdly, in choosing these specific seven churches, we also realize Jesus was writing to the Universal Church with each letter addressing a specific movement within church history. In the totality of these seven letters put together in a compilation, Jesus is addressing His Church that began on Pentecost and will continue until He calls her home. 




Lastly, aside from all of these things, the admonition “he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying” individualizes each letter and its application. Within every one of these seven letters, Jesus, through His Holy Spirit, is seeking to communicate a message to you!




Before we get into this specific letter, I’d like to add one additional observation that hit me this week… Each of these seven letters is addressed to a single “angel” or pastor of a singular “church” located in each city. The letters then close, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” plural. While it’s true each letter sent to a church contained a message for all churches, the interesting framework of the letters themselves may give us some insight into how these ancient churches were actually structured.




In ancient times it was impossible for a large church to congregate at the same time in one physical location. In fact, we know “the church” predominately met in many homes. You see the truth is “the church in Smyrna” was likely comprised of many smaller “churches” which may explain why a letter to “the church” closes with an application for “the churches.” And yet, from Jesus’ perspective the many were still one church overseen by one pastor




I bring this up because the “Home-Church Movement” has risen predominately in order to decentralize church governance and the hierarchy of authority — all the while claiming to be more like the original church in Acts. I believe these letters may challenge their premises.




Either way, don’t forget, between the introduction and closing admonition, Jesus will commend what He finds commendable, condemn what He finds condemnable, emphasize a relevant aspect of His person in light of these things, before finally providing to the church the necessary instructions, warnings, and promises.




Like we did with Jesus’ letter to the Ephesians last Sunday, let’s begin by establishing a profile of the ancient city of Smyrna. Smyrna was located on the western coast of Turkey about 35 miles north of Ephesus. Uniquely, Smyrna still exists today as Izmir. While Turkey is predominately Muslim, Izmir still has a fairly large Christian population.




In ancient times, Smyrna was known as “The Crown of Asia” and the “Jewel of the Roman Empire.” Regionally, Smyrna was the second most prosperous city — only second behind Ephesus. Not only did Smyrna have a strategic harbor, but the city possessed straight, wide roads ideal for the transport of goods. You couple that with the fact Smyrna was surrounded by fertile farmland where they produced wine and myrrh (in fact Smyrna derivers her name from the word myrrh), it’s not a surprise the city was both wealthy and influential.




In spite of her Hellenistic roots (the poet Homer was actually born in Smyrna), seeing the inevitable fall of Grecian power, this city was unique in that she was one of the first to pledge her loyalties to the rapidly expanding Roman Empire. In 195 BC, Smyrna cemented this alliance by building a massive temple dedicated to the “Spirit of Rome.” 




With this decision, Smyrna would remain at the forefront of the Imperial Roman Cult. By the time of Christ, what had started as a patriotic celebration of Rome had morphed into the deification and worship of former Caesars. By the end of the first century, logic only dictated the same adulation also apply to living Caesars as well. Within Smyrna, the temple hailing the Spirit of Rome was retrofitted for the active worship of Caesar.




I mentioned in our initial study that while Nero had instigated the first wave of Christian persecution, it was not until Domitian’s reign that Christian persecution reached its zenith. In fact, it was on account of this second wave that the Apostle John presently found himself receiving this revelation from Patmos — the island prison in which he’d been exiled. 




In contrast to the random and ill-advised persecution strategized by a madman, Domitian proved to be much more dangerous because he was both deliberate and systematic in his approach. In addition to targeting church leaders, in order to alienate the growing Christian community, Domitian became the first Caesar to demanded worship as a test of political loyalty and allegiance to Rome. Failure to comply would bring with it severe economic consequences and in many places across the Empire certain execution. 




Scottish Historian and Theologian William Barclay wrote of this time period, “Emperor worship had begun as a spontaneous demonstration of gratitude to Rome; but toward the end of the first century, in the days of Domitian, the final step was taken and Caesar worship became compulsory.” Once a year everyone was required to “burn a pinch of incense on the altar to the godhead of Caesar; and having done so, he was given a certificate to guarantee that he had performed his religious duty… All that the Christians had to do was to burn that pinch of incense, say, 'Caesar is Lord,' receive their certificate, and go away and worship as they pleased. But that is precisely what the Christians would not do. They would give no man the name of Lord; that name they would keep for Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone.”




When you examine this period of history you will see that many of the cities throughout Rome chose not to enforce this mandate. And yet, because of her long history of loyalty, the city of Smyrna took Domitian’s edict very seriously! When Jesus writes this letter to the believers in Smyrna this city had become ground zero for Caesar-worship!




Broadly speaking, we understand this specific letter to the Church of Smyrna was Jesus’ exhortation to what we’d refer to historically as the Persecuted Church… Though scholars will debate when this time period began (100 AD or potentially earlier), they all seem to agree it came to a definitive end when Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD formally legalizing Christian practices within the Roman Empire. 




Personally, I believe classifying only this particular period of history as being the Persecuted Church becomes problematic for the simple reason that beginning with the Apostles and continuing all the way to today there has always been a remnant of the church in every generation forced to endure some form of severe religious persecution. 




Pastor David Guzik makes this observation, “Nevertheless, the day of martyrs is definitely not past. All over the world, Christians face persecution, especially in Asia, Eastern Europe, and in the Muslim world. Some people estimate that more Christians have suffered and died for their faith in the 20th Century than in all previous centuries combined.” If you’re interested in learning more about the persecution of Christians taking place today, I’ve included a few links at the bottom of C316.tv to a couple of different organizations that track this data.




My point is while there is no doubt Jesus is writing to a literal church in the city of Smyrna during the first century experiencing real and terrible persecution, in a much broader and historical sense, I believe the letter should be seen as Jesus’ admonition to the faithful remnant ever-present throughout Church History enduring Christian persecution! 




Like He does in His letter to the Ephesians, Jesus begins by providing this church in Smyrna a profound commendation in light of her present circumstances. He says in verse 9, “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” 




In line with what we know of the political climate at the time in Smyrna as well as the period of persecution this church represented, Jesus acknowledges their “tribulation and poverty.” 




In Greek, this word “tribulation” referred to a pressing together from outside influences. The word was used to describe when a large stone either crushed grapes to release its juices or pressed an herb releasing its fragrant oil. It’s not an accident this would have been two examples anyone from Smyrna would have been intimately familiar with.




As we’ve noted, the environment in Smyrna had created a set of crushing circumstances for these believers. The “tribulation” they were experiencing was pressing them into a decision whereby to stand on their religious convictions would carry severe consequences. 




In light of this, Jesus also says He knew of their “poverty.” Again, in Greek, this word implies abject poverty or absolute destitution. The word can be translated as beggary and spoke of one who had nothing at all. You see, in Smyrna, refusing to offer a pinch of incense and declare “Caesar is Lord,” in effect pledging one’s loyalty to Rome, immediately resulted in an intense form of economic persecution.




Because of their stand for Jesus and refusal to compromise their faith, these Christians were refused what was known as a Certificate of Compliance. Without this official document, you were no longer allowed to participate in the public marketplace, your private property was confiscated, any membership to a powerful trade-guild revoked, even your money became worthless as no one was allowed to buy or sell to you! Their stand for Jesus and refusal to obey the laws of the land, in turn, made these Christians outlaws!




Amazingly, if their “tribulation and poverty” weren’t enough, Jesus continues by saying, “I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” This word we have translated “blasphemy” means to speak against one's good name for the purpose of causing injury. It’s akin to our English word slander which we define as the act of making a false statement in order to damage a person’s reputation. 




In addition to the pressing and crushing these Christians were experiencing from the State, these believers were also being slandered in their community by a group Jesus refers to as “those who say they are Jews and are not, but are of a synagogue of Satan!”




While practically we understand Jesus was referencing an actual synagogue located in Smyrna led by Jews who were spreading lies and falsehoods about these Christians, in a much broader application, Jesus is speaking of the persecution against His faithful church by those claiming to know and represent God but didn’t! How interesting it is that Christian persecution throughout history has come most viciously from fake Christians!




Here was a church experiencing an unimaginable hardship; and yet, it’s also clear they refused to allow their trying circumstances to deter them from their heavenly calling! In spite of this “tribulation, poverty,” and the slander they were enduring, Jesus begins this section by acknowledging their “works” or Christian service — “I know your works!” 




In Matthew 5:44 Jesus gave His disciples a really challenging exhortation — and I mean really challenging. He commanded that we “love our enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use and persecute you.” 




It’s evident this church in Smyrna and the larger Persecuted Church she represents possessed the lasting legacy of still being a Serving Church! To this point, between Jesus’ commendation and counsel to this Persecuted Church, it’s important to note He provides zero criticisms and only seeks to encourage! 




Speaking from personal experience, I have found that often in the midst of our persecution, trial, temptation, discouragement, pain, depression, and suffering it’s so easy to wonder if Jesus has somehow forgotten about us. As if our circumstances have somehow come in by stealth. And yet, Jesus directly combats this notion with two powerful words, “I know!” 




This word eidô is unique because it spoke to more than just the perception of sight or the accumulation of knowledge, but to a practical understanding that can only come from through personal experience. You see Jesus is not just telling these Christians that He knew of their suffering, He’s making it clear He sympathized with their suffering! 




If we’re being honest this morning, these two words in the presence of our suffering “I know” is only meaningful if the person making the statement has actually gone through a similar experience. For example, if you’ve lost a loved one, your words carry with them more weight to a sufferer than someone who hasn’t experience the same loss. 




One of the most amazing things about Christianity is that it doesn’t present for us a God perched way above the human experience, but a God who came down from His perch in heaven specifically to experience what it was like to be human! As a result of this, in Hebrews 4:15, we’re told concerning Jesus Christ that in Him “we have a High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses, because He was in all points tempted as we are.” 




Christian, please understand this word translated “sympathize” goes way beyond a mere intellectual understanding. It literally means to be affected by the same feeling as another. In fact, it’s from this Greek word we derive the English word resonate. When two tuning forks are in the same key and one is struck the other will automatically begin ringing.




You see the sympathy of Jesus to our plight in its Biblical construct is more about His experiential understanding than His intellectual awareness! Think of it as the unique contrast between “I know” being an exercise of the head — versus “I know” being a way to describe the moving of Jesus’ heart to the things we experience in this fallen world.




This morning I want you to know Jesus can say with authority “I know your tribulation,” because He has experienced the pressure and crushing weight of tribulation Himself! Jesus can say, “I know your poverty,” because, according to 2 Corinthian 8:9, “though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor.” Jesus can say, “I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not,” because He personally experienced the slander of those claiming to represent God but did not. HE KNOWS!




Beyond this, you need to also know Jesus can say with authority, “I know the pain that’s felt when you’re betrayed by a friend or rejected by someone you love.” Jesus personally knows what it’s like to suffer loss, to be misunderstood, tempted to sin, or treated unfairly. 




Jesus can even say to you, “I know what it’s like to feel as though God has forsaken you” because on the cross, in the midst of incredible suffering, He asked the same question we so often ask… “My God, My God why have you forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)




And yet, being able to say “I know what it’s like” ends up being a rather meaningless sentiment if that same person can’t also say “I know how to overcome!” Christian, Jesus can say all of these things with the complete authority of “I know” because there is no part of our pilgrimage He hasn’t successfully navigated! Jesus is the victor over all we face! John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”




It’s not an accident that before Jesus even utters the words “I know” He first reminds them who He is and what He’d done! Notice how He opens the letter, “These things says” and then Jesus describes Himself as “the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life” — which were intentional references back to the revelation of Himself provided in chapter 1.




This phrase “the First and the Last” spoke of Jesus’ divine nature. It referred to both His timelessness and His complete and total sovereignty. Christian, in the midst of suffering and persecution, it’s crucial you remember Jesus is more than just a mere man, He’s the Most High God sovereignly in control of every aspect of your life.




“Who was dead, and came to life” then spoke of Jesus’ power over the most daunting of all human enemies — Death itself! By His resurrection, Jesus gained the victory over our greatest foe! Christian, in the midst of suffering and persecution, it’s critical you remember Jesus is much mightier than anything you will ever experience. 




Before we take the time to apply all of these things to our lives, let’s first address Jesus’ counsel to Smyrna and the Persecuted Church. While Jesus reminded them who He is (He’s the sovereign, victorious God who experientially knows), before giving them practical counsel, in verse 10, Jesus reminds them of four key realities concerning persecution:




First, persecution is inevitable! In this letter to a church already suffering, Jesus is brutally honest concerning the outlook of their future circumstances. He says, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.” 




It’s interesting Jesus never promises this church deliverance from trial, but the exact opposite! He warns this church that things were about to get much worse! Never forget trials and persecution are an unavoidable part of the Christian experience. To this point, Augustine once said, “God has but one Son without sin, but none without suffering.




If you don’t believe me, let me take a quick moment and read for you a few passages you can highlight and memorize… John 15:20, “Remember a servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” James 1:2-3, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” 2 Timothy 3:12, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Philippians 1:29, “To you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” 1 Peter 4:12-13, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings.” You see with the exception of Jude every New Testament writer spoke of persecution.




Aside from the fact Christian persecution is inevitable… Secondly, persecution has a purpose! Jesus adds, “Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested!” Though Jesus is honest the origin of the coming persecution would be “the devil,” His foreknowledge of this event reveals a challenging idea — His allowance!




Jesus is clear He would allow “the devil to throw some of them into prison” for the specific purpose “that they may be tested.” Admittedly, the English translation of the Greek word “tested” is odd. The word doesn’t mean to test as we’d typically think, but rather to make trial of. God’s purpose in allowing persecution was not to test their faith but to create a dynamic whereby their faith would be demonstrated for the world to see! 




While Satan wanted to crush their witness, this persecution was allowed because Jesus knew it would amplify their witness in their community. Historically, persecution always has a positive impact on the church. It purges the church of the pretenders and it galvanizes a church in her calling. It’s been said, “A church experiencing the fire of persecution becomes a church on fire!” And you know what happens when the church is on fire? She sets the world ablaze! You see their crushing (“tribulation”) would release an incredible fragrance!




Famed preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “Never did the church so much prosper and so truly thrive as when she was baptized in the blood. The ship of the church never sails so gloriously along as when the bloody spray of her martyrs falls on her deck. We must suffer and we must die, if we are ever to conquer this world for Christ.”




If anything illustrates how “outward appearances” can be deceiving, the church in Smyrna tops the list. Practically, while this church might have had nothing (“poverty”), Jesus affirms they possessed everything (“but you are rich”). In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus would say, in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”




What a practical rebuke to those who present human pain, suffering, persecution, and the lack of material possessions (health and wealth) as evidence of God’s displeasure and one's lack of faith! One commentator observed, “The contrast between material poverty and spiritual riches of the Christians in Smyrna reminds us that there is nothing inherently spiritual in being rich or being poor.” How dangerous it is when we fall into the deceitful trap that measures the effectiveness of a church using only the bottom line!




While Christian persecution is inevitable and intentional… Thirdly, persecution has an expiration date! Jesus says, “You will have tribulation” only to add it would last for just “ten days.” Though there are some who claim these “ten days” represent ten waves of Roman persecution. Tragically, this position overlooks the reality the first wave initiated by Nero had already come and gone with the second wave instigated by Domitian well underway. The problem is in verse 10 Jesus is speaking in the future tense — “You will have.” 




Instead of viewing this phrase as a reference to a trial that would last ten literal days or signifying ten waves, it’s more likely the phrase was an expression of speech used to describe a short, defined period of time. Biblically, you can find examples of this in passages like Genesis 24:55, Job 19:3, and Daniel 1:12. What’s important is that Jesus promises that while persecution may be inevitable and intentional — it’s not indefinite!




Finally, persecution has a reward! In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus promised, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” 




In this letter, Jesus gets more specific saying, “I will give you the crown of life” and “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” Understand, the Bible describes two deaths: one physical and the other spiritual. And while it’s true everyone will experience the death of the physical body, the same can’t be said for the second! D.L. Moody once summed it up this way, “Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once.” 




Friend, if Jesus is your Savior, you’ve accepted His atonement for your sins, and you’ve been made alive through the indwelling of His Spirit, the reality is you will only die once because you’ve been promised “the crown of life.” John 11:25, “Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.’”




And yet, if you reject Jesus as your Savior, choosing to instead provide your own atonement for sin, following your physical death will come a spiritual death as you spend eternity paying off a debt your imperfect offering can never satisfy… “The wages of sin is death.”




Practically, Jesus is reminding this church that no matter how bad it gets on this earth eternal life is our future! This is why He counsels, “Do not fear… be faithful until death.” This command, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer” literally means, “Stop being afraid!” Because fear is fundamentally always born out of the anticipation of losing something of value, you must consider what a Christian should ever fear losing! Honestly, what can this world take from you? 




Christian, we can “be faithful until death,” because death is not a moment of loss, but the moment of incredible gain and unspeakable glory! As Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain!” He’s literally saying that he intentionally structured his life around the one thing his death would yield more of — more of Jesus!




So, what is Jesus saying to us! I don’t want to get too predictive, but there is a coming persecution of the church in America! You can sense it! The winds have shifted, storm clouds are gathering on the horizon, and a storm is heading our way. What’s interesting is that, like Smyrna, it would seem the coming persecution will begin economically. 




While the Bill of Rights protects the freedom of speech and religion, it doesn’t seem to apply to the freedom of religious conviction voicing itself in the public square. We are free to believe what we want as long as our beliefs stay within the four walls of the church building.




A perfect example of this is how anything other than the full celebration of homosexuality and gay marriage is now classified in the public square as being hate speech and bigotry. Even in Justice Kennedy’s opinion on the case legalizing gay marriage, he acknowledged, in light of the new law, there was a logical need for “religious organizations and persons to be given proper protection.” The sad truth is we live in a country that has greater protections for the freedoms of internet pornographers than the private individuals who desire to operate a business consistent with their Christian convictions and values. 




My point is that in the coming years, regardless of who wins this upcoming election, the social trends indicate a decision to stand for Biblical truth by refusing to bend when it comes to your Christian beliefs will finally end up costing you something! And you know what… I say bring it on! Historically, nothing brings about revival quicker than a church purged of its fakers and made serious about her calling as a result of persecution!




Aside from this… There is also an undeniable and profound exhortation in this letter for the person who’s presently suffering! If this is you, while suffering may be inevitable, please know it isn’t indefinite! In Revelation 21:4 we know a day is on the horizon when “God will wipe away every tear from our eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”




And while a future promise may not alleviate the anguish you’re experiencing presently, you can hold to the reality your present suffering is also not without a divine purpose. The truth is sweet wine demands the pressing of grapes and the pleasant fragrance of myrrh is only released when the herb is crushed. 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”




Christian, never forget the glory of resurrection first demanded the suffering of a cross. Isaiah 53:5 we’re told, “Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”




Lastly, if you’re in the storm, I want you to take courage knowing — Jesus knows! Whether it be tribulation, persecution, trial, poverty, slander, betrayal, rejection, loss, temptation, or even the sinking feeling that God has forsaken you, Jesus is speaking through the void with two simple words meant for your encouragement: “I know” what you’re going through, and “I know” how to help you get through to the other side!




Friend, Jesus in total control. He’s completely able. And He’s more than willing to be “your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalms 46:1) This morning may it be that “he or she who has an ear hears what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”

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