Revelation 2:8-11 - Smyrna (Outline)

Revelation 2:8-11 – And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto 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. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

1. Commission – To the angel of the church in Smyrna write
   1. Polycarp, bishop, or recent, John's disciple
   2. Rich city, learning and culture, had a good harbor, all produce of Hermus valley came through, wine trade
   3. Free city, independent laws, Roman judges held court
   4. Idolatry, Cybele, Apollo, Askelpios, Aphrodite, Homer's monument and birthplace, Acropolis with Mt. Pagos, temple huge Zeus, replaced by Emperor worship
   5. David Guzik - “In 23 A.D. Smyrna won the privilege (over 11 other cities) to build the first temple to worship the Emperor Tiberius Caesar. Smyrna was a leading city in the Roman cult of Emperor worship.”
      
   6. “Emperor worship had begin as 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 the Roman citizen must 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. They would not even formally conform.” - Barclay
      1. We must not give, college
2. Commencement – The words of the first and last, who died and came to life.
   1. “Smyrna had been a Greek colony as far back as 1000 B.C. Around 600 B.C. it was invaded and destroyed by the Lydeans and for 400 years there was no city there at all. Then around 200 B.C. Lysimachus had it rebuilt as a planned and unified whole. It was built with streets that were broad, straight, sweeping, and beautifully paved. The city had experienced death and had literally been brought back to life. It is undoubtedly because of Smyrna’s historical past, Christ refers to Himself as, 'He who was dead and has come to life.'” - J Hampton Keathley, III
   2. “Jesus Christ described Himself to this church as the eternal One who died and experienced resurrection. “Smyrna” means “bitter.” The Greek word translates the Hebrew mor, myrrh, a fragrant perfume used in embalming dead bodies (cf. Matt. 2:11; John 19:39). It becomes very fragrant when someone crushes it. These believers would have found encouragement that even though the prospect of death threatened them, resurrection and eternal life with Christ were certain.”
   3. Cybele – goddess of annual resurrection (spring)
   4. He who died and came to life can offer crown of life, future life for them as well after death
   5. Christ's eternality, comfort to sufferers, they may be killed, not Christ, sympathy in death
3. Commendation – I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
   1. “The connection between tribulation and poverty is found in the likelihood that their goods were plundered due to persecution for their faith (Heb. 10:34). How contrary is the condition of the church at Smyrna from that of the church in Laodicea which was lacking persecution and abounding in goods (Rev. 3:17). Yet, the Smyrnaean church received no word of condemnation while the Laodicean church received no word of commendation!” - Tony Garland
   2. Poverty – not just bare bones, but totally destitute, city rich? Persecuted, nothing spiritual about riches
   3. You are rich – lay up treasure in heaven, Pr. 13:7, don't be sorry for them, poor rich rather than rich poor
   4. Jews seed of Abraham, synagogue, or proselytes
   5. Felt desire to join Judaism, free from emperor worship
   6. “The most striking instance [of persecution by Jews] actually relates to Smyrna: the Jews gathered fuel on the Sabbath for the burning of Polycarp.” - Colin J. Hemer The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting
      1. Relate story of Polycarp
4. Condemnation
5. Command – Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
   1. “God often warns his servants prior to a time of trial. This gives the saints His perspective and great hope knowing that He recognizes what they are going through and yet it remains within His sovereign will and purpose to leave them there” - Tony Garland
   2. Recognize spiritual power behind persecution, pray for those persecuted
   3. Allowed by God for a purpose, trust in God for endurance and for end
   4. “God sifting and winnowing the man to separate his chaff from his wheat, the devil sifting and winnowing him in the hope that nothing else but chaff will be found in him (Luke 22:31).” Richard Chenevix Trench Commentary on the Epistles to the Seven Churches in Asia
   5. Testing does not show God what is in believers, it shows believers what is in believers
   6. Time literal in Revelation, take days as such as well, unidentified
      1. 10 years, Diocletian
      2. 10 emperors, Nero, Domitian, Trajan, Adrian (Hadrian), Septimus Severus, Maximin, Decius, Valerian, Aurelian, Diocletian
      3. 240 hours, 240 years 85AD-325AD, persecution begin/end
      4. Expression of speech, short time, figurative
   7. “Being thrown into prison was severe persecution. In that day, prison was never used to rehabilitate someone, and rarely used to punish someone. Normally, you were thrown into prison as you awaited trial and execution.” - David Guzik
   8. Be faithful, it will not be easy, faithfulness is the only way to resist the devil, footholds gained can be very hard to eliminate
   9. Persecution is trouble that you would not have if you were not a believer.
   10. Passed the test, still around
   11. Crown of life
       1. King's crown vs. stephanos, winner's trophy
       2. “Crown”, Mt. Pagos
       3. Pagan worshipers used crowns in worship
       4. “In that culture, good citizens and victorious athletes received crowns” - David Guzik
       5. A crown without the cares and weightiness of a king
       6. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone” - James 1:12-13
6. Coming – I will give the crown of life. Be ready
7. Challenge – He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.