SMYRNA
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8 These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 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. 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: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 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.
Rev 2:8-11 (KJV)
A wealthy city some 35 miles north of Ephesus, which continues today under the name of Izmir. It was so prosperous and beautiful in its day that it competed with Ephesus and Pergamos for the title, “the first of Asia,” and was called “the lovely—the crown of Ionia—the ornament of Asia.” The Smyrnans claimed that Homer had been born there, and in John’s time maintained a museum in his honor. Smyrna was also known for its massive theater, in which John’s disciple Polycarp would be martyred in 169 . His martyrdom was just one of many in that city.
Moreover,
Smyrna was a center of the emperor worship, having won the privilege from the Roman Senate in ad 23 (over eleven other cities) of building the first temple in honor of Tiberius. Under Domitian ( 81-96) emperor worship became compulsory for every Roman citizen on threat of death. Once a year a citizen had to burn incense on the altar of the godhead of Caesar, after which he was issued a certificate.
Theater of Martyrdom
Temple of Tiberius
The earliest traces of Smyrna date back to around 6500-4000 BC
Much latter, about 688 BC, Ionian Greek refugees chased away the natives and Smyrna became an Ionian city beginning one of the most brilliant periods in its long history. Attracted by its riches, the Lydian king Alyattes 619-560 BC conquered and destroyed parts of the city.
About 540 BC the Persians captured the city of Smyrna and ruled it until they were defeated by Alexander the Great 333 BC .
In the latter 3rd century BC the city of Smyrna developed an allegiance with an emerging power in the Mediterranean, Rome. In 195 BC a temple to the dea Roma (the godess of Rome) was built to solidify their relationship with Rome.
Smyrna became one of the preeminent cities of the empire and Rome gave Smyrna the title, "The city that died yet lives"
At the time of the writing of Revelations the population of Smyrna was around 100,000 which included a large number of Jews.
It is unknown when or just how Christianity was established in Smyrna. None of the Apostles are known to have visited there. However Polycarp a disciple of John is thought to have started the first church there.
During the reign of Nero, the profession of Christianity was a capital offense. It was during Domitian's rule that John was exiled to Patmos.
Little remains of ancient Smyrna today except ruins.
Temple of dea Roma
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Rev 2:8 (KJV)
The Church At Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11
He is the first, for by Him all things were made, and He was before all things with God and was God Himself.
He is the last, for all things are made for Him, and He will be the judge of all!
He was dead for He died for our sins, He is alive for He rose again for our justification, and He ever lives to make intercession for us.
By dying He purchased salvation, by His living He guarantees it!
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.
Rev 2:9 (KJV)
This describes a time when the church was hated, outlawed, and persecuted. Instead of worshiping in magnificent buildings, they gathered in caves, catacombs and other hidden places. They posted sentries at the door to warn them of approaching foes.
Pain is a part of life, but it is never easy to suffer, no matter what the cause. Jesus commended the church at Smyrna for its faith in suffering. Those who will be faithful to Christ must expect to go through many tribulations.
Even though they were poor Jesus said they were rich. what He meant was that they were rich in spiritual things.
Often times it is poverty in a persons life that causes them to seek out spiritual things.
Many who are rich in material things are poor in spiritual things. Generally those who are poor outwardly are rich inwardly.
Rich in faith,and in good works, rich in privileges, rich in deeds, rich in hope. Spiritual riches are usually the reward of great diligence. When God's people are impoverished in material things, for the sake of Christ and a good conscience, He makes it all up to them in spiritual riches, which are much more satisfying and enduring.
Even then all was not well Jesus said: I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Any assembly or organization which sets itself up against the truth of the gospel and promotes error, these are all synagogues of satan.
He presides over them, he works in them, his interest are served by them, For these synagogues of satan to give themselves out to be a church or Christian organization is no less than blasphemy.
God is greatly dishonored when His name is used to patronize the interest of satan. God has a high resentment of these types of organizations and will take revenge at those who persist in it.
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: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Rev 2:10 (KJV)
Suffering is never easy, however suffering should never cause us to fear. Jesus says this to them to give them strength and courage.
He says the devil will cast some of you into prison. This suffering was not to be universal. it would be to some of them but not all of them.
Persecutions comes from the devil not from God. The devil will cause believers to be cast into prison and even killed. But as a believer we need not fear death, because it will only result in our receiving the crown of life.
These sufferings was to try them, They were to try their faith, their patience and courage, so that these things might be proved and improved, and be found to honor and glory.
It is the devil that stirs up his instruments, wicked men, to persecute the people of God. They are the devils tools, even though they themselves receive gratification in their sinful deeds they don't understand they are under the control of the devil.
Jesus says: the persecution will last 10 days. That is to say it will be intense, but short. it will have a beginning and an end. And through it all God remains in complete control.
Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Smyrna was famous for its athletic games. A crown was the victory wreath, the trophy for the champion of the games.
if we have been faithful, we will receive the prize of victory, eternal life.
The message is to remain faithful during their suffering because God is in control and His promises are reliable.
Jesus never said that by being faithful we would avoid troubles, suffering and persecution. Rather we must be faithful to Him in our sufferings. Only then will our faith prove itself to be genuine.
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.
Rev 2:11 (KJV)
There is not only a first, but a second death, a death after the body is dead. This death is unspeakably worse that the first death.
Believers and un believers alike will experience physical death. All people will be resurrected. Believers will be resurrected to eternal life, un believers will be resurrected to eternal punishment, the second death. And eternal separation from God.
it is an eternal death, both in dying pangs and in agony. To die and to be always dying, with no hope of relief.
Christ will save all His faithful servants. The second death shall have no power over those who are partakers of the first resurrection. The first death shall not hurt them, and the second death shall have no power over them.
Death is as much a part of life as life itself. We all have an appointment with death.
"It is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment"
We can reschedule doctors appointments when we miss them, We can change our daily schedules to meet things that change. But our appointment with God is set and we cannot change it.
No one knows when their appointment will come. Some have come at a very early age others have lived long lives. Death knows no age.
Of all the choices in life we make one choice is of the utmost importance, Where will you spend eternity?
All of us will spend an eternity somewhere, and the choices are limited to 2 places heaven or hell.
Did you know that if they could the richest man in hell today would give you everything they ever owned to be where you are right now, reading this commentary on the church at Smryna. Because all thy want is one more chance to say yes to Jesus. But they will never have that chance because they made their choice before their appointment with death came. They chose to reject Jesus' offer of salvation.
What will your choice be today?
