REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 2.8b

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

 

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

 

CHAPTER 2

 

Smyrna

 

 

Outline

1.  The Addressee – To whom the letter is addressed (2:8)

2.  The Address – To where the letter is addressed (2:8)

3.   The Addresser – From whom the letter is addressed (2;8)

4. The Approval – The acclamation of good qualities (2:9)

5.   The Accusation – The presentation of bad qualities (N/A)

6. The Appeal – The application to change (2:10)

7.  The Advice – The recommendation to change (2:11)

 

Smyrna

The second church age is labeled the Smyrnean Age – The Age of Persecution – when persecution was at its peak. Historically, this period lasted from about A.D. 150 to approximately A.D. 312.

 

In A.D. 312, the Christian Age of Persecution ceased under a decree from Emperor Constantine. The Edict of Toleration commonly became known as the Edict of Milan. From this point, the populace was persecuted for not being Christian. The problem: A person was pronounced a Christian by birth and not by faith, thus distorting the whole basis of the Gospel.

 

 

(Verse 8)

 

3. The Addresser – From whom the letter is addressed

 

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.

 

The addresser, in the ancient format of letter writing, is always at the beginning of the letter instead of the end, as our letters appear today. The author is Jesus Christ. He is taking a part of His total descriptive name from Chapter 1 and using that which is relative to this church.  

1.  The First and the Last – (The Alpha and the Omega) - A description of Jesus Christ taken from Revelation 1:8, 11, 17b.

 

2.  Who was dead – Taken from Revelation 1:18a [Literally: became dead, gave Himself to death]. In this usage, Jesus is referring back to the Cross. He died so that we may have life (At the time of this writing, He possibly could be referring to the five to six million martyred Christians).

 

 

3.  Who is alive – Found in Revelation 1:18b [Greek: zao (G2198), literally and figuratively – to live]. This description points to the Resurrected One – the One Who has the ultimate victory over death, giving them hope and assurance of eternal life. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. Recall Jesus told Martha:

John 11:25 - I am the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

 

This is a timely message for martyred Christians as well as a promise for us. “I once was dead, and now I am alive.”

John 14:19b - Because I live, ye shall live also.

 

 

4. The Approval – The acclamation of good qualities

 

(Verse 9)

 

I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

 

I Know: (eido: [G1492], literally to see. In the perfect tense, I am aware of, or I have known). In essence, Jesus is saying, "I know not by observation, but by experience. I have been there; I know it is tough,  but I have not abandoned nor forgotten you.”

1. Your works – [Greek: ergon, (G2041), an act of doing laborious work]. The word “works” is not mentioned in the newer translations, however, it means toil to the point of exhaustion. Jesus knows.

 

2.  Your tribulation – [Greek: thlipsis, (G2347)], under pressure, affliction, anguish, burden, persecution, tribulation, or trouble). This word infers constant aggressive persecution - Being crushed beneath a weight like myrrh. Jesus knows.

 

 

3.  Your poverty – [Greek: ptōcheia (G4432), beggary]. The early church population was of the poorer class. When wealthy people converted to Christianity, their property and material possessions were confiscated. They became and lived as paupers – they had nothing. Jesus knows.

a.  Note: The commerce of the city was interwoven with trade guilds (labor unions), which in turn, were connected to pagan deities. Those who did not bow to Caesar first - a political statement - were not eligible to work, hence they became outcasts of the Smyrnean citizenry and subsequently lived in poverty.

b.  Also, note a parenthetical statement: You are rich.

 

4.   Your wealth – [Greek: plousios (G4145), wealthy, abounding with riches]. Is there a contradiction here? No. Even though this group of believers was materialistically poor, they were spiritually rich. Their affluence included:

1. Love

2.  Peace

3.  Joy

4.  Faith

5.  Hope

6.  Grace

7.  Fellowship

 

Paul elaborates on these circumstances:

 

2 Corinthians 6:10 - As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

 

2 Corinthians 8:9 - For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.

 

In the two passages above, Paul explains Christ, by taking on the form of humanity, became poor, and suffered – even to death upon the cross - that we may have spiritual wealth in His eternal Kingdom. Contrasted to the Church at Laodicea which claimed to be rich (cf. Revelation 3:17), Jesus said they were poor. Jesus knows.

 

 

An interesting statement is found in the following phrase:

(Verse 9b)

 

I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

 

Jesus, being omniscient (all-knowing), knows something about the Jews who worshipped in this church and exposes their deceit. But first, by way of review, there were three reasons why the church at Smyrna was persecuted:

1.  Their refusal to worship the emperor

2.  Their religious loyalty to Jesus Christ

3.  Their intolerance toward apostate Jews

 

Remember, Smyrna was an asylum for just about anyone. There were a large number of Jews from all over who flocked to the city and openly blasphemed the name of Christ. Jesus labeled this Jewish colony, the synagogue of Satan. These Jews violated several things:

1.  Propagated false teachings and doctrine

2.  Tried to mingle law and grace

3.  Pretended to be religious

4.   Despised true believers

5. Rejected Jesus as their Messiah

6.  Possessed the spirit of evil

7.  Instigated Christian persecution

 

In his letter to the Romans, Paul reveals:

Romans 2:28-29 - For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

 

Romans 9:6-7 - Not as though the Word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children.

In other words, because a Jew is from the seed of Abraham and is circumcised outwardly, does not make him a child of God. A true Jew, however, is one who has been circumcised of the heart inwardly.

 

Many examples are given throughout the book of Acts - below are three:

Acts 13:50 - But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city (Antioch), and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

 

Acts 14:2 - But the unbelieving Jews (in Iconium) stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

 

Acts 14:5 - And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews (the instigators) with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them (Paul and Barnabas).

The apostate Jews passionately hated Christians and endeavored to discredit and have them destroyed. But Jesus knows.

 

5. The Accusation – The presentation of bad qualities

Jesus has nothing negative to say about this church.

 

 

6. The Appeal – The application to change

 

(Verse 10)

 

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: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

 

There are a few phrases in verse 10 that require discussion. In the first phrase, Jesus encourages the believers to “Fear not.” This is the second time in the book of Revelation this statement is made. The first time was in Chapter 1 when John saw Jesus in His glorified state. After falling at the feet of Jesus as a dead man, John felt the Lord's right hand on his shoulder and heard His voice saying,

Revelation 1:17 - “Fear not; I am the First and the Last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore.”

 

Stop fearing is the Lord’s consolation to those saints about to be persecuted. There is no promise of deliverance, but He does mention there will be suffering. Observe the three shalls :

1.  You shall suffer things

2.  The devil shall cast some of you into prison and be tried

3.  You shall have tribulation in ten days

 

A. You shall suffer many things:

1 Peter 2:21 - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.

Jesus is reminding them of what the Apostle Peter had said: You were called to suffer for Christ because He suffered for you.

 

B. You shall be cast into prison and be tried:

1.   They would be cast into prison

2. They would have a trial

3. They would be mocked

4. They would be flogged

5. They would be tortured

6. They would be executed

7. Some would be exiled

 

   C. You shall have tribulation ten days:

There are three good explanations I have found for the meaning of the ten days:

1.   They are a literally limited period of ten days of suffering for the saints of Smyrna before martyrdom.

 

2. They are futuristic - days to come over a long period of history until the Great Tribulation (for example the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, etc.)

 

 

3.  They are intense periods of relentless persecution under ten Roman Emperors:

1. Nero – (A.D. 54-68) Peter was crucified upside-down, and Paul was beheaded under his reign.

2. Domitian – (A.D. 91-96) John was exiled during this period and thousands of believers were martyred.

3. Trajan – (A.D. 98-117) Under his rule Ignatius, third bishop of Antioch, was burned at the stake.

4. Antoninus Pius - (A.D. 138-161) Polycarp was martyred during his emperorship.

5. Marcus Aurelius – (A.D. 161-180) Thought Christianity was an absurd superstition. Writer Justin Martyr was beheaded.

6. Septimius Severus - (A.D. 193-211) Killed early Christian theologian Origen’s father, Leonides of Alexandria.

7. Maximinus Thorax I - (The Thracian) - (A.D. 235-238) A brutal barbarian who had all Christian leaders executed.

8. Trajan Decius - (A.D. 249-251) furiously tried to exterminate Christianity.

9. Valerian - (A.D. 253-260) had Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, put to death.

10. Diocletian - (A.D. 284-305) considered the worst emperor of all, was notoriously known for hunting and killing Christians in the most unimaginable ways.  Having them thrown to the lions was one of his amusements.

 

History records that a multitude of Christian believers went to their death singing praises to God. They were faithful, even unto death. After the aforementioned Emperors, Constantine came into power. Under his reign (A.D. 306-337), Christianity dramatically changed course.

 

Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown (a victory crown-stephanos) of life

When their hour of trial arrived, Smyrna believers feared not. They welcomed the eternal rewards God pledged:

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man that endured (remains steadfastly under) temptation (trials, testing): for when he is tried (after being tested and approved), he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.

 

Crowns

There are two types of crowns commonly used in the Bible:

1.  A Diadema – A crown generally worn by a king. It is a crown of royalty.

 

2.  A Stephanos – A garland usually of interwoven laurel given to a victorious athletic contestant.

 

 

To those who love Jesus and are faithful unto death, a crown of life is promised as a reward. There are at least five reward crowns believers can earn:

1. The Incorruptible Crown - For those who are self-sacrificing and faithful to Scripture.

I Corinthians 9:24-25 - Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible (crown).

 

2. The Crown of Righteousness – Awarded to believers faithful to a righteous life until Jesus returns.

2 Timothy 4:8 - Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

 

3. The Crown of Rejoicing – Crowns dispersed to soul winners who witness for Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 - For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. (See also, Proverbs 11:30; Daniel 12:3)

 

4. The Crown of Glory – Reserved for faithful preachers and teachers of the Word of God.

1 Peter 5:2-4 (cf. 2 Timothy 4:1-2; Acts 20:26-28) - Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

 

5. The Crown of Life – Goes to all who endure trials and tribulations, even to death, because of their love for Christ.

James 1:2-3, 12 (Revelation 2:10) - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience… A man who endures trials is blessed because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

 

We will further discuss these crowns in Chapter 3 and discover what to do with them in Chapter 4.

 

 

7. The Advice – The recommendation to change

 

(Verse 11)

 

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

 

Those who have ears are to keep them open and allow the Holy Spirit to speak as Jesus ministers to His Church. Recall the words of Christ:

John 14;26 - But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

The Second Death

This is a brief reminder to the overcomer that they will not be hurt by the second death. There are two kinds of death:

A. The first death – physical death (your body dies and is buried)

 

B. The second death – spiritual death (when the soul and spirit is eternally separated from God)

 

We will end this study with the infamous quote from the late American Evangelist, Dwight L. Moody: “He who is born once will die twice, but he who is born twice will die once.”

 

Nest lesson – The Church at Pergamos.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.  How does the writer of this letter identify Himself?

2.  What does Jesus know about this church?

3.   What does the synagogue of Satan represent?

4. Does Christ have anything bad to say about this church?

5.  Why will this church receive tribulation for ten days?

6.  What is the crown of life?

7.  Differentiate the first and second death.

 

 

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