TEACHING NOTES Part 4: The Church in Smyrna Introduction In this session we’re going to learn from Jesus’ words to the church in Smyrna. This church was already being persecuted and more severe persecution was coming. Jesus’ words to Smyrna teaches us so much about what we should expect in a fallen world and how we should respond. The Church in Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11) Location: (see map) - Smyrna was 40 miles north of Ephesus Historical Context of Smyrna Smyrna was a wealthy port city that was famous for its beauty. Population of at least 100,000 in the first century. Smyrna was known for its accomplishments in medicine and science. Basket-fishing, tanners, silversmiths, goldsmiths, and artisans were the common trades in Smyrna. Any member of a trade guild was required to sacrifice to pagan gods and the emperor. Smyrna was the home of a temple to Emperor Tiberius (reigned AD 14-37) and was the center of Roman imperial worship. One of John’s students named Polycarp became the leader of the church in Smyrna. Around 155 AD the Jews in Smyrna conspired with the Romans to execute Polycarp for his refusal to worship the emperor. Without the Jews reporting Polycarp and pushing the issue, the Romans would have likely left him alone. Introduction of the Son of Man Revelation 2:8 ESV 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. The first and last = From the vision of the Son of Man in Rev. 1:17. Who died and came to life = From the vision of the Son of Man in Rev. 1:18. Why does Jesus introduce Himself this way? Jesus usually introduces Himself with phrases that are connected to the churches specific situation. The letter to Smyrna shows that some of these believers will soon face severe persecution. Some of these believers will have to “be faithful unto death” (Rev. 2:10). Jesus wants to remind them that He was also faithful unto death, but He has the power to rise again. Jesus presents Himself as the resurrecting King to encourage these believers that they will also be resurrected. The Positive Revelation 2:9 ESV 9 “ ‘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. I know your tribulation = Apparently, these believers were already under persecution. This tribulation is likely coming from the Jewish community. The Jews in Smyrna were notorious for running to the Romans to report Christians. This is exactly what they did to Polycarp in 155 AD. Poverty = Most likely, the Christians in Smyrna were poor because they had refused to worship the emperor and the Roman gods. If you were an artisan by trade, you would be expected to participate in pagan worship. Refusal to participate in pagan worship would result in loss of employment at the least and loss of life at the worst. (but you are rich) = Contrast with Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea, who were rich but Jesus calls poor (Rev. 3:17). Jesus taught that the poor are actually the blessed ones and the rich are at risk of missing the kingdom (Matt. 5:3; 19:23-24 Luke 6:20, 24; 12:16-21). This is why Jesus taught us not to store up treasures on earth (Matt. 6:19-21). Slander = Grk. blasphemia - Blasphemy is making false statements or claims against another. Before the destruction of Jerusalem, the church was mostly persecuted by Jews. In Gentile areas, this persecution was mostly focused on slandering the reputations of believers. The Jews could slander the reputation of Christians, but did not have any governing power in Smyrna to physically or financially persecute Christians. Synagogue of Satan = Jesus views the Jewish synagogue in Smyrna as being led by Satan. Therefore, the Jews in Smyrna are being used by Satan against God’s kingdom. The Negative None: Smyrna and Philadelphia are the only churches that receive no criticism. Of the seven churches in Revelation, only Smyrna and Philadelphia receive no negative feedback from Jesus. An interesting observation: Smyrna and Philadelphia were both poor and persecuted. Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, and Laodicea were larger, wealthier, less persecuted, and more confident. These five “successful” churches receive the most negative feedback and harsh warnings. Instructions & Promises Revelation 2:10 ESV 10 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. Do not fear = Persecution and tribulation was about to increase for the believers in Smyrna. Jesus does not promise deliverance from this situation, but encourages them not to be afraid and to remain faithful. The devil will throw some into prison = Revelation presents the devil as the driving force behind Rome and Jerusalem against the followers of Christ. In Revelation, the beast represents Rome (Rev. 13) and Babylon represents Jerusalem (Rev. 18). In Smyrna, the devil is using the Jews to slander Christians and using Rome to persecute them. Jesus tells the church that the purpose of being thrown into prison was “that you may be tested” which will prove who is authentic in their faith. Historical Note: If John wrote Revelation in 64 AD, this passage is likely referring to Nero’s persecution, which began in July of 64 AD. Since it is unlikely that the Jews could have thrown anyone into prison, the threat of prison must be coming from a Roman source. Be faithful unto death = Some of these believers will be killed for their faith. Notice there is no promise from Jesus that they will be delivered from this persecution. They are commanded to be willing to die for their faith. Note: The modern view that the church will be raptured to heaven to avoid the tribulation is based on the idea that God would not let His people suffer the events of the tribulation. However, Revelation repeatedly commands believers to endure the tribulation and be faithful to the point of death. There is no promise in Revelation, nor elsewhere in the New Testament, that believers will be protected from tribulation and persecution. The crown of life = This is meant to catch our attention as a stark contrast. These believers are being called to be faithful unto death, but they are promised life after death. Not only life, but crowns in heaven and a place around the thrown of God (Rev. 4). In Greco-Roman culture, the goddess Nike is depicted as holding a victory wreath or crown. This image would have been very familiar to John’s audience. However, Jesus is communicating that He alone is able to give a crown of victory to His followers. James, the brother of Jesus, also mentioned that those who endure during trials will receive the crown of life (James 1:12). This crown imagery appears again in the vision of the heavenly throne where the 24 elders lay down their crowns (Rev. 4:4, 10-11). Revelation 2:11 ESV 11 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.’ The one who conquers = This is a major theme in Revelation. Since many of the events in the book were coming soon, believers needed to be encouraged to be faithful and overcome. Rev. 12:11 “And they [believers] have conquered him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Will not be hurt by the second death = The meaning of the “second death” is found at the end of the book (Rev. 20:6, 14; 21:8). Those who are faithful unto death will not experience the second death (Rev. 20:6). The second death occurs after the final resurrection and judgement, when Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14). Those who rejected Christ are also thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8). In other words, the second death is eternal death/destruction. Application for Today Jesus promised His followers that they would be persecuted and some would be executed (Matt. 10:16-25; 23:34; Rev. 2:10). God allows persecution and tribulation to test the faith of His people and reveal the authenticity, or lack thereof, of the church (James 1:2-4). Jesus does not promise that His followers will be delivered from tribulation (except for believers in Philadelphia—Rev. 3:10), but that they will be rewarded after death for staying faithful through tribulation (Rev. 2:10-11).