SMYNA
A Bit of Background Concerning the Church At Smyrna:
- A port city located about 35 miles north of Ephesus. Current location is known as Izmir, Turkey.
- A disciple of the apostle John served as pastor there until he was martyred around 155 AD.
- A city of obvious wealth, known for its resorts, spas, and market places (Hunter, 29). First-hand geographical accounts in the first century describe Smyrna as “a beautiful city”.
- We are not told in the Bible how the church came to exist in the city, many assume the gospel spread there from Ephesus.
- The normal pattern for the letter given to each of the churches includes a: Commendation, Correction, Consequence of unheeded correction, and Conquering Promise. The church at Smyrna is one of two churches (along with Philadelphia) not given a Correction/Consequence.
- This is also the shortest of the 7 letters.
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.
- “angel” – see comments on 2.1 – most like a reference to the church leader.
- “the first and the last who died and came to life” – a description first used on Jesus in 1.17-18. The first portion of this description, “the first and the last” emphasizes Jesus authority over time (omniscience and sovereignty).
- The latter, “died and came to life” describes his power over sin. Paul also wrote about Jesus’ resurrection and it’s power over sin and death in 1 Cor. 15.55-57.
“Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- This description of Jesus also emphasizes his divinity when evaluated from a macro perspective.
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” – Because Jesus is operates outside of time, He is fully aware of the situation with the church at Smyrna.
- APP – When we look at God’s knowledge of our suffering through the lens of faith, this truth can become one of the most comforting thoughts for believers who find themselves suffering. However, when we remove faith, this is probably one of the most troubling thoughts unbelievers/agnostics might wrestle with?
- Because Jesus had “died and came to life” (verse 8), he is personally familiar with suffering
- “your tribulation and your poverty” – being caused in this case by “those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” Some have suggested that the Jews of Smyrna may have been falsely accusing the Christians within the court system, thus causing suffering. They were probably impacted financially through this process as well.
- “but you are rich” – God’s economy is different from our material economy. Financial prosperity is often viewed as more of a hindrance than a blessing. Riches are better evaluated through spiritual glasses. Consider:
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” – Mark 10.25
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? – James 2.5
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. – Galatians 6.7,8
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 what you are about to suffer” – “These persecuted believers were not promised escape from tribulation; they were promised instead something far greater: the grace to endure afflictions without fear and the pledge that the one who died and came to life again will certainly bring them through to the “crown of life” (Easley, 37, 38).
- How does a person encounter suffering without fear? In short, they must realize that God is bigger than the problems they encounter.
- APP – Suffering has in many ways become foreign to the American church. We strive for comfort in every aspect of our lives. Whereas Paul, longed to experience suffering (Phil. 3.10). A biblical perspective of suffering, although never candy-coating the difficulties it may bring, instead suggests that suffering can be used as a tool for our sanctification and ability to minister to others.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1.2-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. – 2 Cor. 1.3-5
- “tested” – meaning, tempted to sin.
- “for ten days you will have tribulation” – Some suggest the letters to the churches be understood as a description of the church though various years. They suggest these 10 days refer to the great persecutions the church faced from 100-316AD and note 10 distinct periods of persecution during that time (Hunter, 28). This manner of biblical interpretation seems a bit misplaced when looking at hermeneutical approaches in general. Instead, it is better to see these letters to be have been written and received to actual churches within a specific context. Thus, the church at Smyrna will be facing an intense, but brief period of suffering, a period which includes imprisonment and possible martyrdom. This may be a literal 10 days or could be understood to be a limited period of time that has a definite conclusion.
- “be faithful unto death” – “keep on becoming faithful, keep on proving faithful unto death.” Our response to suffering to remain and strengthen our faith in the sovereign, suffering, Lord. There is also an element of “display your faith during your suffering” here as well.
- APP – Is there another way that shows Jesus as completely worthy, than when his people encounter suffering and remain faithful.
His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity?Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. – Job 2.9, 10
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him… – Job 13.15
- “crown of life” – This phrase may be an intentional contrast to the crown which was given annually to the priests of Dionysus at the end of their year in office. Instead, Jesus offers a true crown (1 Peter 5.4; 1 Cor. 9.25). One of the ways we combat a negative response to suffering to to think on what lies ahead for the believer.
- If we learn but one lesson from the church at Smyrna, it would be: Be faithful in suffering!
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.’
- “He who has an ear…” – see comments on 2.7.
- “conquers” – to win a victory over
- “the second death” – The first death is merely death of the body; the second death is eternal separation from God. Described in 20.14 as the lake of fire; eternal punishment. For the believer, the second death is not hurtful, but beneficial.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Mt 10:28.
Concluding Thoughts/Discussion:
- Faithfulness in Suffering –
- What are some of our improper thoughts regarding suffering as believers?
- Spiritual Wealth Trumps Earthly Riches –
- What ways does our culture measure success differently than Jesus does?
- Can you think of any other biblical passages where Jesus demonstrates this type of “upside down” economy?
- If monetary measures do not necessarily serve as a sign of God’s blessings, what does?
- Fear and Suffering –
- How do we maintain a mindset that trusts God, even when we face difficulties?
PHILADELPHIA
A bit of background concerning the church at Philadelphia:
- not a large city, but commercially busy.
- prone to earthquake disasters.
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
- “the holy one” – “In the Bible “holiness” is the very essence of God, the quality that makes God what he is, different and set apart from human beings. It carries a sense of separateness from sin, of exclusiveness, of uniqueness”(Bratcher). Also a Messianic designation, meaning God’s servant or one who does God’s will. Thus when we combine Jesus’ self description here in this verse we end up with something like “the true, faithful divine Messiah-servant of God”.
- “who has the key of David” – this a statement highlighting authority taken from Isaiah 22.22. “And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.” Used in Isaiah to refer to Eliakim, the king’s guardian, who had the authority to rule in the king’s palace. As Messiah, he has authority to execute the governing of the kingdom. He has the sole authority to allow or refuse people entrance into the kingdom.
8 “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
- “I have set” – meaning not placed, but I have given you. Grace is implied.
- 1) “set before you an open door” – although we aren’t told specifically what this refers to, it most likely refers to some sort of evangelistic opportunity for the church. The context suggests this (“the key of David”). Paul also used the term in this particular way, “But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” – 1 Co 16:8–9.
- APP: We must remember that it is God who opens and closes doors for the sharing of the gospel. It isn’t any adversary or obstacle or even ourselves.
- 2) “set before you an open door” – for the members of Philadelphia, the Jewish population may have closed their doors to the Jewish Christians, but Jesus holds open wide the doors of heaven for these believers. No one can block their entrance into Jesus’ kingdom.
- All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” – Jn 6:37–40.
- “little power” – most likely a reference to their influence within the city.
- “Yet you have kept my word…” – The social pressure faced by the church was most likely intense, especially when the more prominent Jewish population cast such judgment upon the Messianic Jews within the city. Yet the church at Philadelphia did not compromise their walk with Christ for the sake of easier living. Kept my word is a reference to following the teachings of Christ.
- “have not denied my name” – means, “you haven’t disowned me,” or “you’ve never said you didn’t believe in me.”
9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.
- Evidently, the small group of believers in Philadelphia were facing persecution from the Jewish population there.
- “synagogue of Satan” – Jews by nationality only, not by faith. The Jewish population at Smyrna was called by the same term (Rev. 2.9).
- Scholars believe the Jewish population had excommunicated Messianic Jews from their synagogues, thus forcing them to live lives of isolation.
- “but lie” – to themselves more than any other.
- “I will make them come bow down before your feet” – in eternity, these Jews would recognize their wrong and acknowledge they were right about Jesus being the Messiah. Interestingly, the word “I will make” is the same word as “I will set” above. Literally meaning, “I will give”.
- “learn that I have loved you” – meaning to discover, find out, recognize, or understand. The Jews will realize that Jesus does love his followers at Philadelphia. Perhaps this was part of the criticism the believers received from the Jewish population there.
10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
- “kept my word about patient endurance” – Meaning, “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently…” The apparent lack of influence and power had no sway on their willingness to obey Christ.
- APP: sometimes the most Christian thing we can do is endure, not react.
- “I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world” – pre-tribulation rapture proponents argue that the word “keep” here refers to a removal from these times of trial. Others view “keep” more along the lines of protecting through it.
11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
- Although no correction is given to the church, the church is commanded to “hold fast what you have”. This is in light of Jesus’ impending return.
- “so that no one may seize your crown” – another call to persevere in faith and hold fast. We do not want to take our eyes off of Christ and somehow not finish our race.
12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
- “I will make him…I will write on him…” -These statements offer a great comfort from the stability and security found in Jesus, not the floundering faith we often exercise.
- “a pillar in the temple of my God” – “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee” – 2 Cor. 5.1-5. Jewish worship centered around the physical temple in Jerusalem. In heaven, our worship centers on the actual presence of God. No temple necessary. “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb” – Rev. 21:22. Redeemed people will be the “building” in which God will dwell. The emphasis is that as believers, we are important pieces in the “building” of God.
- Solomon’s temple had two pillars at it’s entrance (1 Kings 7.13-15)… “And King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre. He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work.He cast two pillars of bronze. Eighteen cubits was the height of one pillar, and a line of twelve cubits measured its circumference. It was hollow, and its thickness was four fingers. The second pillar was the same. … He set up the pillars at the vestibule of the temple. He set up the pillar on the south and called its name Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the north and called its name Boaz.”
- Jachin – “established”
- Boaz – “strength”
- The description emphasizes a permanent citizenship for those who overcome.
- APP: In suffering, God will establish you through his strength.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Concluding Thoughts/Discussion:
- God is Sovereign –
- Can you think of a story in your life where God has shown himself to be sovereign?
- In what ways has he opened and closed doors in your life?
- Spiritual Strength is found in Christ, not ourselves –
- How does this truth seem counter to what we might call the American Dream?
- How has God sustained you in times where you may have been prone to weakness?
- Remain Faithful –
- How should we respond when we face opposition or rejection for our faith? How can we trust that God will honor our perseverance?