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The second Church that received a letter from the Lord by the hand of John was the Church at Smyrna. The letter the Church at Smyrna received was one of commendation. It is interesting that in this letter there is not one word of complaint but all praise. It was also a letter of comfort. As we shall see, this Church needed an assuring word. This letter from Jesus was a word of encouragement at a time of discouragement. It was also a letter of challenge. You could say that the Lord admonished them to “Keep on keeping on!”
When this Church was founded no is sure. This is the only time the Church at Smyrna is mentioned in the Bible. It is commonly believed that Paul organized this Church while on his third missionary journey. History tell us that at one time, one of the most famous name’s in early Church history, Polycarp served as pastor of the Church.
Let’s notice the letter Jesus sent to the Church at Smyrna and His encouragement for them to keep on keeping on. First, we see:
1. THE CHURCH’S REPROACH FOR CHRIST
The name Smyrna means “bitter.” It comes from the word “myrrh,” which speaks of the fragrance or perfume that comes from myrrh being beaten or crushed. The name is a fitting one for the Church for this was a Church that experienced bitter times. The name served as more than designation of where they lived. It was a description of how they lived.
As we look at this Church we see:
A. The Fierce Persecution Of The Church
This was a Church that was under attack. They were daily persecuted. The Lord used three words to describe the fierceness of their persecution. First he described the conditions of their persecution. Jesus spoke of their “tribulation” (Vs.9). The word Jesus used gives insight into the severity and conditions of their persecution. The word was sometimes used to describe a man being tortured to death by slowly being crushed by a huge boulder being laid upon him. The word was sometimes used to describe the crushing of wheat under a millstone. The word was used of a Roman whip (cat-of-nine-tails) such as was used on Jesus.
The word suggests that they were undergoing fierce persecution. Their property was confiscated, their citizenship revoked, and many were thrown in prison. But that was nothing compared to the tortures many experienced. History tells us how some were covered with animal skins and tortured to death by wild dogs. Some were covered in tar and set afire to serve as lamp-posts. Others were thrown to hungry lions while the crowds watched and cheered.
We also see the consequences of their persecution. Jesus spoke of their “poverty” (Vs.9). The word speaks of “abject poverty, possessing absolutely nothing.” You have heard someone say, “We were so poor; the poor people call us poor.” These believers were poorer than the poor. They lived in destitution and abject poverty. Of course, their poverty was due to their faith. Because they were Christians they had lost everything. They had lost their businesses, houses, lands, and all earthly possessions. It had cost them everything to know Christ and serve Him.
We also see the cause of their persecution. Jesus spoke of their “blasphemy” (Vs.9). The word means “slander.” They were being slandered and malicious things were being said about these believers. William Barclay describes the kind of things that were being said about Christians. On the basis of the words of the Lord’s Supper, “this is My body and this is My blood,” the story was going around that Christians were cannibals. Because the Christians had a meal called the “Love Feast,” it was said that their gatherings were orgies of lust. Because Christianity did at times split families (one spouse saved the other unsaved), they were accused of tampering with family relationships.
Jesus stated that it was Jews that were behind this persecution (Vs.9). There was a Jewish Synagogue in Smyrna that was openly hostile to the Christians. They were constantly informing against the Christians and inciting attacks and persecution. They claimed to be a synagogue of God, but Jesus said they were a synagogue of Satan (Vs.9).
We also see:
B. The Future Persecutions Of The Church
Jesus said, “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” (Vs.10). If things were not bad enough, the Lord informs them that future and further persecutions were coming. The persecution that Jesus referred to probably came from refusal to acknowledge Caesar as Lord. Caesar worship had become compulsory in the Roman Empire. Once a year, a Roman citizen had to burn a pinch of incense on the altar to the godhead of Caesar. Once he did so he was given a certificate to prove that he had performed his religious rites.
If a person refused to do so he was branded as disloyal and a rebel. He became an outlaw. The Christians would not acknowledge anyone as Lord but Jesus Christ. They refused to acknowledge Caesar as Lord thus found themselves as criminals under the law. Jesus made it clear that man may have been the instrument, but Satan was the real instigator (Vs.10).
History tells us of Polycarp, which served as pastor of this Church for a time. He became one of the most famous martyrs in Church history. On one particular festival day, an incited crowd seized Polycarp and demanded the he renounce his faith, worship Caesar, or die. The police captain said to him, “What harm is it to say ‘Caesar is Lord’ and to offer sacrifice and be saved?” Polycarp was adamant that only Jesus Christ was Lord. When he was brought into the arena the proconsul gave him the choice of cursing the name of Christ and making sacrifice to Caesar or death. It was then that Polycarp gave his immortal answer, “Eighty and six years have I served Christ and He has never done me wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” Afterwards Polycarp was burned at the stake.
I think of the reproach and suffering these believers experienced and of the faith and commitment of believers in our day. We let a headache keep us out of Church and they would not let the thought of being beheaded hinder them. We get our feelings hurt and quit on God when the possibility of being tortured did not keep these believers from being faithful to God. If we don’t have a new dress and nice clothes we lay out of Church. Yet these believers had nothing but rags, but they lived for Jesus. I am glad that my name surname does not start with a “P.” I would hate to follow Polycarp at the Judgment Seat.
Secondly, notice with me:
2. THE CHURCH’S RICHES IN CHRIST
In spite of their poverty, Jesus said, “But thou art rich” (Vs.9). If they didn’t have anything how could they be rich? Their riches lay in the fact that they lived by a different set of values than many Christians today.
We see that:
A. Their Thoughts Were On Another World
These believers lived by Paul’s admonition, “If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things in the earth” (Col.3:1-2). Their life was consumed with knowing Christ. They were committed to knowing Christ. They concentrated on pleasing Christ.
What a contrast too much of what we see in present Christianity. Our affections are often set on things around us, rather than on things above us. In some Christ is given a place and in others He is given prominence. But in few is He given preeminence.
We also see that:
B. Their Treasures Were In Another World
They were materially poor but they were spiritually rich. They lived in poverty on the earth but had plenty in heaven. They were not laying treasures up in this life, but were laying treasures up in heaven.
Once a minister was sitting in a diner and overheard two businessmen speaking of a classmate they had at Princeton. From the conversation, the minister could tell that this classmate did not have much of this world's goods. He recognized the name of the man they were talking about and knew him to be one of the most distinguished Christians in his town. One of the businessmen said, “How much do you think he is worth?” The other, flashing a big diamond ring with the wave of his hand said, “I don’t think he is worth anything.”
The world looks at material treasure as the measure of a persons worth. But many who have plenty in this life, have nothing in heaven. It is possible in this life to not have anything but still have everything. You can be poor and still be rich. Jesus said “for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). Jesus said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt.6:20).
In many cases, compared to these believers, we are rich but poor. Compared to us they were poor but rich.
Thirdly, think with me of:
3. THE CHURCH’S REWARDING BY CHRIST
Jesus said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Vs.10). What encouragement it must have meant to them when Lord told them He knew what they going through as a Church. He told them not to fear the things they were going through or would go through in the future. His closing words were no doubt the very words they needed to keep on keeping on.
First, there is:
A. The Commitment For The Rest Of Their Life
Jesus said, “Be thou faithful” (Vs.10). He was saying to them, “Keep on keeping on.” He encouraged them to keep on loving Him, keep on serving Him, and keep on living and honoring Him. They were to keep on keeping on even “unto death” (Vs.10).
In the summer of 1995, I had the opportunity of visiting Edinburgh, Scotland and Greyfriars Kirk (Church). At the entrance to the Church is a statue of a little Skye terrier dog named Greyfriars Bobby. On the statue is inscribed, “A tribute to the affectionate fidelity of Greyfriars Bobby.” In 1858, this faithful dog followed the remains of his master to Greyfriars Churchyard where he was buried. For the next fourteen years, day after day, rain, snow, or sunshine, this little dog went to his master’s grave and lay there. When the little dog died he was buried in the Church graveyard just a few yards from his master’s grave.
The story of Greyfriars Bobby is a wonderful story of fidelity. However, the purpose of my visit was not to see the grave of the little Skye terrier dog. Greyfriars Kirk is where the Covenanters signed a covenant in the 1500’s that they would not allow the king to place his own preachers in the pulpits of the land. The result was the persecution of the Scottish believers experienced.
The real story of faithfulness is not Greyfriar Bobby but is told on a large marker at one end of the Church graveyard. The marker sits on a mass grave of several thousand Christians that were either burned at the stake or hanged for their faith. The faithfulness of the dog seemed to interest most who were visiting the Church. But the faithfulness of the saints, faithfulness even unto death, is the real story of faithfulness at Greyfriars Kirk.
They like the believers at Smyrna knew about real faithfulness. The kind of faithfulness Jesus encouraged them to give.
Secondly, there is:
B. The Crown At The End Of Their Life
Jesus promised them, “I will give thee a crown of life” (Vs.10). Their faithfulness had not gone unnoticed and neither would it go unrewarded. The crown Jesus spoke of was the “stephanos” or the Victors crown. This was a crown that was given in athletic games. It was the reward of the victorious athlete. It was also given when a man had faithfully performed the work of a magistrate. At the end of his term of office, he would be given this crown.
Jesus was saying, “Keep on keeping on, for it will be worth it someday.” Jesus praised their faithfulness and promised that one day he would reward them. May God help us to keep on keeping on! It will be worth it all someday. |
