Revelation 2:8-11
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On this Resurrection Sunday, we give thanks that we have the privilege to worship the First and the Last, Jesus Christ. We worship Jesus Christ because we are convicted by the Holy Spirit to do so. We also give thanks for the privilege our country gives us to worship Jesus freely.
As we gathered for Palm Sunday last week, we remember those who gathered in Egypt and their churches were bombed, killing a number of believers.
Today Christians have gathered, some under the risk and the threat arrest, beating, or death, to worship the risen Lord. To worship Jesus Christ takes real commitment.
In this country, while we can meet freely and worship together, there is increasing pressure for us not to live out the particulars of our faith in a way that it affects our interactions with the world around us.
There are increasing regulations about how Christians can run their businesses. Most prominent in the news is the recent protest by the owners of the store, Hobby Lobby, and their lawsuit against government regulations that required businesses to provide funding for the so-called “morning-after” pill which would abort a newly discovered pregnancy.
Other institutions, including Christian private colleges like Dordt, have received a temporary stay in court rulings, that would have required them to provide the same kind of regulations.
We have heard the news about Christian business owners who want to run their businesses in ways that reflect their beliefs, but have run into criticism as well as lawsuits when they have declined to provide certain services for those who have made lifestyle choices that are contrary to what God’s desires for relationships and marriage.
Our own church, under guidance from the denomination and lawyers, have found it wise to put into policy guidelines that reflect our biblical understanding of marriage between one woman and one man—knowing that if we were not explicit about this—could lead to potential difficult situation that we would have to react to in the future.
In North America, we should be slow to say that the church here is persecuted, but there is pressure put on Christians that we must conform to current societal trends and the desires of our government.
I mention all of this because this ties in to the church in Smyrna. They were commended for their faithfulness to Christ, even if that faithfulness led to financial hardship, arrest and punishment, or even death.
What do we know about Smyrna?
Smyrna was one of the wealthiest cities in Western Asia, modern day Turkey. It had a vibrant and busy port, which was located about 40 miles to the north of Ephesus in the Bosphorus Straits.
The city was known for it’s fondness for Rome. It was referred to by ancient writers as “one of Rome’s most faithful and ancient allies.” Before the Roman Empire was fully established, it was allied with Rome vs. it’s chief competitor—Carthage.
It was given the honor of being chosen out of a number of cities to build a temple in honor and worship of the emperor.
The picture that we get is that Smyrna was proud and loyal to be part of the Roman Empire. They were loyal to their country. If there would have been an equivalent back then, I can image that if they would have had flagpoles—at businesses and homes, they would have flown flags and banners that proclaimed their loyalty to Rome.
So, remember that the people of Smyrna were loyal and fiercely proud to be Romans.
Next, there is evidence of a large Jewish population in Smyrna. Ancient writers as well as archaeological evidence in these ancient cities showed that there were Jewish populations in these cities—large enough to have a synagogue. Evidence also shows that they often flourished. One inscription that was found in Smyrna speaks about the Jewish community who donated a large amount of money for public improvement projects. There have been several tombstones found in Smyrna with Hebrew writing.
As for the church, while Smyrna isn’t listed anywhere in the Bible except in Revelation, it is assumed that because Paul spent a great deal of time and ministry in this area that churches spread and grew through the region.
Finally, there is record of persecution in the area around Smyrna. There is a letter from the governor of this area to the Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd C., only a few decades after the book of Revelation is written.
In this letter is a record of this governor, Pliny, interrogating those who were accused of being Christians. One of the marks of the interrogation was asking them if they were Christians, if they said they weren’t then evidence had to be shown that they had been and were willing to worship the Roman gods. If people refused to this, they were threatened with punishment and maybe even death.
The letters go back and forth with it concluding that while the Romans would not go out looking for Christians, if some were denounced or accused of being Christians, they would be given an opportunity to “repent” and worship Roman gods. If they didn’t, punishment was warranted.
Apparently, this was a popular way to get people into trouble. The letters say that anyone who was anonymously accused of being a Christian shouldn’t be prosecuted. It was a kind of “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy related to Christianity.
Three things:
Loyalty to Rome and emperor worship.
A large Jewish population
Historical record of persecution.
Now with all this as background, let’s get to the point. Analyzing the form of the letter we used last week:
Christ-Title
Commendation
Complaint
Correction
Consequence
This letter begins with Jesus affirming his power of time and life and death. He is Jesus who is control over all there is, and he has even conquered life and death. His title is that he is the first and last, the beginning and the end. (protos and eschatos).
“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
He died and came to life. As we say, he is risen! he is risen indeed!
Jesus then commends the Christians in Smyrna:
I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Here is where some of the historical background comes into play. It is very likely that the Christians, who lived in a very pro-Roman town, were being treated badly because of their beliefs. It is likely that those who owned businesses were avoided or boycotted because they didn’t worship the emperor. Maybe there are others who lost jobs. Christians likely became very limited in their ability to make a living.
The poverty they are experiencing is very real. Yet, in faith, they were rich.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
They were reminded that in Jesus christ, they had....
True wealth.
True wealth.
Jesus speaks about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not. Instead they are a synagogue of Satan.
Not only was there persecution from the Romans, but also from Jews who found it insulting that Christians called an executed criminal the Messiah. They likely turned in Christians because they were a threat and that some Jewish people were converting to Christianity.
So, we hear Christ’s title—the first and the last. We know that they are commended—even though they are poor, they are rich.
What is the complaint that Jesus has against the Christians in Smyrna? There is none. Only in two letters—to this city and to Philadelphia, there is no complaint.
Instead they are promised the....
Instad
The victor’s crown.
The victor’s crown.
Jesus is making connections that the synagogue of Jews was no longer part of the true Israel. In fact, the new Israel was the gathering of God’s people through Jesus Christ.
Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.
Paul tells the gentile Christians in that unbelieving Jews has been pruned and gentiles had been grafted in.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
I peter 2
Since there is no complaint, the correction is more of an encouragement.
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
What does the 10 days mean? We know from historical records that there were more than 10 days that Christians suffer, therefore the number must be symbolic. It is a complete number, but it is limited. The persecution will last for a time, but it will end.
Also, since John is familiar with the book of Daniel, he might be referring to the 10 days that Daniel and his friends were tested by the chief official.
“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Daniel 1
They were tested and proven faithful. They were tested and were blessed. So it would be for the church in Smyrna. They, too, would be given the victor’s crown.
Finally, the consequence of their obedience? The crown of life and the reminder that....
Death has no power.
Death has no power.
The Christians in Smyrna were facing the possibility of death for the Lord. One of the most prominent Christian martyrs who lived in Smyrna was the early 2nd C. leader of the church there-Polycarp. Historians mention that he was appointed by John as the leader of the church. While he never met Jesus, John linked Polycarp to Jesus. Historical accounts say that Polycarp was brought into a theater and Romans and Jews alike brought charges and insults against him.
When asked to deny Christ and worship the Roman gods this is the quote that was attributed to him:
“Eighty-six years I have served Christ and he never did me any harm. How then can I blaspheme him who saved me?
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
1 Peter
Today, it is an increasing possibility that to live out our faith with come into direct conflict with our society. We might begin to struggle in society—with work and finances. We are already often mocked for holding certain doctrinal beliefs or living out our lives in a way that reflects our faith.
Christ says remain faithful. Do not forget, even though it might seem that we are losing everything, we gain the crown of life, given to us through Jesus Christ our Lord.