2. THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA

 THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA

2.            2. Smyrna – The suffering Church (Revelation 2:8-11) -- the church that would suffer persecution (2:10).

History of the City:

The second church mentioned was in Smyrna. Smyrna was located north of Ephesus in a powerful trading position on the Aegean Sea known for its harbors, commerce, and marketplaces. The primary ruins of Smyrna are located in the modern Turkish city of Izmir. Scripture does not give us any information concerning the founding of this church, nor is it mentioned in the book of Acts. Presumably, this church was founded during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:10).

(Revelation 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;” There was no rebuke for this faithful church. They were encouraged to stay faithful, even when facing physical death.

(Revelation 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.” Christians in developed countries today think little about being persecuted for their faith. But there are churches in the world where such persecution is a daily reality. Such was the case for the ancient church in Smyrna. They suffered because of pressure, poverty, and persecution. Christ’s words to that church can prepare all believers for what might come.  

Be Fearless 

(Revelation 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:...” Fear…one of the enemy’s most popular weapons that he uses against us. Worry, anxiety, fear… can overwhelm us with a thick shadow of darkness, controlling our every move and decision. Because Christ is Lord over all of life’s circumstances, we have nothing to fear. Paul wrote that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39). Fear is a natural human response, but we live supernatural lives through the power of the Holy Ghost that is within us. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7. God is greater! He gives us the power to live courageously, boldly, fearlessly in this life, when many things that surround us would tell us to be afraid. His truth whispers strong and sure to the deepest core of our spirit… do not fear.

Be Faithful 

“…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Those who face trials and, in the end, fall away demonstrate that they never had true faith from the beginning. On the other hand, those with true faith heed this teaching. They will be able to count it joy when their faith is tested because they know such tests will produce steadfastness (James 1:2-4). They will ask God for wisdom without doubting (vs. 5-8) so that they will be able to pass through the trials brought by poverty or by riches. As James has already shown us, and will further explain, authentic faith deals with affliction by persevering, ever-clinging to Jesus in the midst of trials. Given the intensity of the persecution in Smyrna, I believe Christ was saying, “Yes, you may lose your life (on earth) for My sake, but be faithful until the end and I will give you eternal life.  “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 (James 1:12).”

Promise

(Revelation 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.”   

What is the second death? 

While the Bible speaks often of death, one death in particular, the “second death,” mankind knows little of. The phrase “second death” is found only in the book of Revelation, the first time in the letter to the church of Smyrna. Revelation 20:6 provides a little more detail: “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” Just as overcomers will not be hurt by the second death, the same holds true for those who rise in the first resurrection. 

 The first resurrection, one to immortality for those in Christ which occurs at His return (see 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). Those in the first resurrection are raised with incorruptible, spirit bodies. These saints have been given immortality by God - there is no longer any fear of death; it is swallowed up in victory!

 A third reference to the second death appears in Revelation 20:12-15 in what appears to be the second resurrection. In those scriptures John equates the second death with the lake of fire, the final judgment of the wicked, those whose names are not found in the Book of Life. 

LESSONS FOR US:

Like the church in Smyrna, Christians are persecuted worldwide in obvious and insidious ways. This letter warns all Christians that although we may suffer greatly, the length of tribulation will be short compared to the promise of eternal life. Let’s be fearless and faithful to the end!

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

  T HE   C HURCHES OF  R EVELATION   This Bible study will provide an introduction and overview of the churches of Revelation.   What is the church?  The word “church” is a translation from the Greek word “ekkiesia” which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 until Christ’s return.  All those who are in full agreement with what Peter taught in Acts chapter 2, those who have believed on Jesus Christ, been baptized in His name, and baptized by His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.   Paul wrote to “the church of God which is at Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:2), to “the churches [plural] of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2), and to “the church of the Thessalonians” (1 Thessalonian. 1:1). Similarly, Christ, through the apostle John, addressed “the seven churches which are in Asia” (Revelation 1:11), all which are a part of the one univers
Read more

7. THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA

  T HE   C HURCH OF  L AODICEA 7.          7.  Laodicea — The Lukewarm Church (Revelation 3:14-22) -- the church with the lukewarm faith (3:16). History of the City: Laodicea was an expansive, wealthy city. It was built on a major highway and became a commercial and banking center. It was known for ear and eye medicine and for its black wool. Laodicea was known as a primary hub for the Roman aqueduct water system, and the water that flowed into the city was tepid and unpleasant, but nearby Hierapolis gushed hot thermal springs and also nearby, Colossae was the home of pure, cold water.   The churches in Hierapolis, Colossae, and Laodicea were relatively close and seemed to have a relationship with one another. The apostle Paul instructed that his letter to the Colossians be read also in Laodicea (Colossians 4:16), and was encouraged by their strong faith in Christ (Colossians 2:5). Something seems to have changed, however, in the thirty years after Paul’s letter when John penned the b
Read more