REVELATION
SIMPLIFIED
CHAPTER 2.8a
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)
Each church letter is written to the second
generation of Christians living in Asia Minor. However, the Lord also desires
to speak to us today through each message. There are seven components to every
letter. Smyrna and Philadelphia are two exceptions where no criticisms are against
them. Our risen Lord has nothing negative to say about Smyrna.
(Verse 8a)
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things
saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.
Smyrna
1. The
Addressee – To whom the
letter is addressed
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna
The church in Smyrna in Asia Minor: Smyrna [Greek:
Smurna,
Smurnaios,
(Strong's, G4666-8)] means myrrh.
Myrrh is a derivative of an Aramaic word meaning bitter or suffering.
Myrrh
Myrrh is an aromatic resinous substance that was
extracted from a thorny tree. Although it is considered a spice, however, it has
many uses. Three qualities are:
1. First of all, if you crushed the substance, it
would yield an oil – a sweet-smelling
fragrance known to us as perfume
2. Secondly, myrrh was used as a holy ointment
applied to people in pagan religious rituals. In the Old Testament, Levite
priests used this oil for anointing
3. Lastly, myrrh was also used as an embalming fluid.
When a person died, myrrh was substituted for blood as a preservative
Frequently myrrh was employed in the Old
Testament. Interestingly, it is only used three times in the New Testament;
except when a city was designated:
1. The first-time myrrh is mentioned was at Christ’s birth
in Bethlehem. Recall: The wise men came bearing gifts. They fell down and
worshiped baby Jesus. When they opened their treasures, they presented Him with
three offerings (representative of the three offices held by Christ):
1. Gold - King
2. Frankincense - Priest
3. Myrrh - Prophet
Matthew
2:11 - And
when they (the Wise Men) were
come into the house (months
after His birth), they saw the young Child with Mary His
mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts;
gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
In this context, myrrh was used as perfume.
However, it also has many medicinal purposes, especially conducive to baby
skin.
Footnote: The first mention of myrrh in the Bible
is in Genesis 37:25. After Joseph’s brothers threw Joseph into the pit, they
saw a caravan of Ishmaelites from Gilead passing through transporting spicery,
balm, and myrrh to Egypt. Joseph's brothers sold Joseph to them for twenty
pieces of silver.
2. The second time the word myrrh appears is in the
Gospel of Mark. While Jesus was on the cross, Roman soldiers offered Him wine
mixed with myrrh.
Mark 15:23
- And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but He received it
not.
In this instance, it was used as an ointment or an
anesthetic. Myrrh was given not as an act of mercy, but to stupefy Him while
the nails were driven by the soldiers. But Jesus refused to partake of any such
means of relief. Even through the excruciating pain, He wanted to retain all His
mental facilities for the perfect, complete fulfillment of His Father’s will.
(cf. Matthew 27:24).
3. The third and final time myrrh occurs is in John’s
Gospel.
John 19:39
- And there
came also Nicodemus, which at the first came
to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture
of myrrh
and aloes, about a hundred-pound weight.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus brought a
mixture of myrrh and aloe (an embalming fluid) and used it to prepare the body
of Christ for burial:
So, all three
uses of myrrh were employed:
1. At the birth of Christ - As an oily perfume
2. At the cross of Christ - As an anesthetic
3. At the death of Christ - As an embalming fluid
When Christ returns, He will only bring gold and
frankincense - not myrrh. Discussing the future glory of Zion, Isaiah writes:
Isaiah
60:6 - The
multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold
and incense, and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
To the overcomers of this world, John writes,
myrrh will be missing. What a tremendous promise for believers – no more
suffering.
John 16:33
-
These things I have spoken unto you,
that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation (suffering – myrrh): but
be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
The Church
Geographically the church was located about forty
miles northeast of Ephesus. It is logical to deduce the assembly became an
offshoot of the mother church. You recall Paul had spent three years in Ephesus
and the Word spread throughout all of Asia Minor (cf. Acts 19). Someone most
likely had taken the Gospel there and started a little Bible study group. From
a small body of believers, the church continued to grow as they studied Christ.
The church of Smyrna is never mentioned in any of the
Pauline epistles. It is only recorded in Revelation as a poor suffering Church.
Smyrna and the Smyrnean period represent the persecuted church that underwent a
tremendous time of tribulation. According to Fox’s Book of Martyrs, about five million believers [Some resources
cite six million] died for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Today, Turkey is a Muslim country where no church
exists. If there are any Christians, they most likely worship underground.
Polycarp
Historically, Polycarp was one of the first great
church fathers. Two theologians of the late second century, Tertullian and
Irenaeus state that Polycarp, a student of John the Apostle, was appointed
Bishop or Pastor of this church; until he was martyred around 156 A.D. (dates
vary).
Roman Emperor Nero notably launched a persecution
campaign against the Christian world. After Augustus Caesar’s death, the people
of the Roman world honored him as a ‘god’. Vespasian began a campaign, later
revived by Domitian, elevating the emperor as Dominus et Deus (lord and
god), thus empowering emperor cult worship. Remember the words of Christ:
Mark 12:17
- Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
The Smyrneans especially would render, however,
they would not bow; thus, causing animosity amongst the populous.
During their public games and at the height of excitement, shouts from
the crowds resonated: “Away with the atheists; let Polycarp be searched for!” Polycarp was arrested and brought before the proconsul.
Given a choice for his freedom, Polycarp had two options: either curse Christ or
bow down to Caesar. Albeit he refused to acknowledge the Emperor of Rome as a
god.
After being labeled an atheist, the crier shouted,
“Polycarp professes to be a Christian.” The crowd cried, “Burn him! Burn him!” Polycarp’s
reply was, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and he has done me no wrong.
How can I blaspheme my Lord and Savior?” Reminiscent of Jesus, Polycarp was
forced to ride on a donkey to his execution site. As the Romans bound him to
the stake Polycarp said in effect, "There's no need to bind me. Leave me
as I am. The Lord who has stood by me all these years will stand by me now.” It
is also said Polycarp thanked God that he was able to share in the sufferings
of Christ.
Polycarp took what Christ had said at the end of
verse ten, “Be thou faithful unto death.” And He was. It is reported the fire
did not touch his body. Polycarp was finally stabbed to death at the ripe old
age of ninety-nine by the executioner.
Footnote: Ironically, apostate Jews from all over the city,
leaving their homes, workshops, and baths, flocked with sticks to burn such a
godly man on their celebrated Sabbath.
It was to this church at Smyrna, Jesus writes His
second epistle. The message is to this church, for the known world and
generations to follow.
2. The
Address – To where the letter is
addressed
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna
The City of Smyrna, (Lydia), Asia Minor
Early
History
How the City of
Smyrna began is unclear. It had a long history dating back over two thousand
years before Christ. About 334 B.C., it was occupied by the Hittites. After
many wars, earthquakes, and fires, Alexander the Great began beautifying and rebuilding
Smyrna. Upon his death, Lysimachus, one of four generals of the
divided Greek Empire, continued the project and
brought it to completion.
Greek historian,
geographer, and philosopher Strabo said it was the most beautiful city in the
world. It also has been labeled:
1. The Crown of Ionia
2. The Crown of Porticoes
3. The Ornament of Asia
4. The Beauty of Asia
5. The Jewel of Asia
6. The Flower of Asia
7. The Pearl of Turkey
GEOGRAPHY
The Harbor
Smyrna had a large strategic seaport on the west
coast of the Aegean Sea; about forty miles northeast of Ephesus. The port
itself was a natural land-locked harbor where fleets would enter and remain.
They were completely protected from any outside piracy attacks. It had an inner
and an outer harbor. From the Harbor, one would enter the Ephesian Gate; travel
on Gold Street (mentioned by Aristocles in his writings), and wide boulevards
at right angles which transverses east to west up the rolling slopes of Mt.
Pagos - Thus, making it one of the few planned cities of the ancient world.
Mount Pagos
On the summit of Pagos was an Acropolis, the
location of all kinds of great noble and glorious Greek buildings and temples.
The Street of Gold mentioned circled the Mount. However, what made this city
the most beautiful in this part of the world was its landscaping: large cedar
trees, interspersed with myrtle trees, hedges, and an array of flowers produced
a necklace around its crown. A traveler would say, “What a queenly city covered
with towers - the beautiful.”
3
Commerce
Commercially, Smyrna was a competitor to Ephesus.
Exclusive to the city, however, was direct trade routes from India, Persia, and
Rome.
By the time of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Roman
Empire had built a million paved roads that lit up at night for safe travel.
Piracy on the seas ceased commerce flourished, families had trades, and the
Empire enjoyed a Pax Romana (Roman
peace). Smyrna was also noted for having coins: Of Homer and Apollo.
Politics
There were no Roman garrisons stationed there, so
politically, Smyrna was free to govern itself, a self-governing city. They
enjoyed the same political freedom Ephesus enjoyed. However, Rome desired the
church and state to become one.
Amid their opulence and wealth, Caesar worship
grew and became compulsory. It was a political statement rather than a
religious one. The Roman authorities could not care less who you worshipped, as
long as you gave honor to Caesar. Yearly the citizenry was officially required
to make a pilgrimage to the temple, burn incense, and bow on their knees to
proclaim publicly, “Caesar is Lord.” However, the Smyrna Christians refused
to do so.
Literary Arts
Smyrna’s claim to fame in the literary world was that
this city was the birthplace and home of Homer; one of Greece’s great poets. Here,
Homer wrote the Iliad; set during the ten-year siege of the Trojan War, and The
Odyssey; the sequel, set after the fall of Troy. Respectively, both are among
the oldest extant works of Western literature.
Not only did Smyrna have a magnificent public
library, but also, to honor Homer, a building (The Homerian) where a large monument to Homer was erected to
memorialize the poet. Monuments to Homer also existed in several other cities
of antiquity – the largest was in Alexandria, Egypt.
Athletics
The city had a large sports stadium where
thousands of Christians were fed to the lions while the multitudes cheered. It
was in this arena Polycarp was martyred.
Science
Smyrna was acclaimed for its schools of science
and medicine.
Music
Smyrna was the home of music. It had a music
center (one of the largest in Asia Minor) called an Odeum. Its ceiling consisted of carved beams of cedar (for
acoustics), with an open space in the center to let the light shine in.
Religion
Similar to Ephesus, the city had a pantheon of
pagan gods and idols. There were all kinds of Temples erected to these various deities:
1. The Temple to Zeus (Greek) or Jupiter (Roman) – King
of the gods; also called the Savior god.
2. The Temple to Aphrodite (Greek) or Venus (Roman) –
Goddess of love
3. The Temple to Apollo – God of the arts and divination
4. The Temple to Asclepius – God of healing and medicine
5. The Temple of Dionysus (Greek) or Bacchus (Latin)
– God of wine, drama, and sexuality
6. The Temple to Cybele – Mother goddess
7. The Temple to Nemesis – Daughter of Zeus
Smyrna was also the first city in all of Asia to
build a temple to Dea Roma (the goddess Rome). There was also Meles, a river god of a small stream near Smyrna, Lydia (old Anatolia).
But, nestled amid this beautiful city was a little
band of Christians who were in love with Jesus Christ, and they were being
persecuted for their faith. The more they were killed, the more they smelled
sweet, and the more they grew. Next week we will discuss their character.
Modern Smyrna (Izmir)
Smyrna’s history spanned a period of over five
thousand years. It survived many empires: From early Hittites, Anatolians,
Greeks, Romans, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations. In the New Testament age,
this city had a population of more than 100,000 people. A second-century great
earthquake destroyed this glamorous Greco-Roman city in A.D. 178. After its
rebuilding, on September 9, 1922, Smyrna was liberated by the Turks. In 1930 its
name was changed to Izmir - the third most populous city after Istanbul and
Ankara, Turkey.
Today, ruins are scattered throughout the city. Two
archaeological sites exist within the modern city of Izmir, Turkey; one of
antiquity, the other of the Roman period A Greek agora - a gathering place on
the northern slopes of Mt. Pagos - remains visible.
QUESTIONS:
1. Describe the properties of myrrh.
2. How did Smyrna begin?
3. Who was Polycarp and why was he martyred?
4. Why was the city of Smyrna important?
5. What was Smyrna called?
6. Name two pagan temples.
7. What happened to the church and city of Smyrna?
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