7 Letters | Session 3 To The Church at Smyrna Revelation 2:8–11 [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.[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. [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. [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.’ About Smyrna: 1“Despite it’s outware beauty and superb location on the shores of the Aegean Sea, Smyrna was one of the spiritually darkest cities in Asia. This was primarily true because of the widespread paganism that had gripped the city for centuries. In particular, the entire city was devoted to its patron goddess Cybele, which represented one of the most grotesque forms of First Century paganism. This barbarous religion included self-mutilation and frenzied, bloody rituals and sacrifices. Idols lined the streets, public theater stages provided more than suggestive entertainment, and the huge stadium built on the slopes of Mount Pagos was the site of multiple massacres of believers who died for their faith. In addition...Smyrnean citizens also customarily packed the stadium seats to watch other human victims being mercilessly slaughtered by gladiators or torn limb from limb by savage beasts. Salacious performances were regularly conducted on the Theater of Smyrna, which may have been the largest public theater in all of Asia. Because Smyrna was a port city and a crossroads to many other parts of Asia, it overlfowed with sailors, soldiers, and travelers who sought the services of a thriving prostitution industry within the city. Here the Smyrnean Jewish community provoked Roman authorities to turn their vengeance on believers who lived in the city. As a result, Roman authorities regularly rooted out believers and viciously killed them…. There were a myriad of pagan cults, but none was as revered as the abominable cult of Cybele. All these forms of pagan worship were wicked, sensual, and immoral. But the worship of Cybele was vastly different from all the other cults, primarily because of the grotesque self-mutilations that played a major role in its rituals. *the emasculation of it’s male ‘priestesses’, and the notorious day of blood where the city turned into a literal blood bath as people swarmed around likened to a hive of bees slashing themselves and spreading their blood on the walls and doors and hallways of the pagan temples and streets, often engaging in illicit sexual activity in numerous public bathhouses. This lent to the eerie atmosphere that pervaded Smyrna and traveled across the entire empire.” Even by pagan standards, what transpired during these perverse rituals was a stomach-churning sight. So, to this church, what did Jesus say? 1. Jesus' personal revelation of Himself to the Church. “The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.” **Every word Jesus says has intention behind it, within it, and for it as it continues to be read and spoken out. It is living and active. God has purpose for His word. Isaiah prophesied of it’s purpose: [11] so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. The first and the last John 1:1–3 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (ESV) Revelation 1:17–18 [17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, [18] and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. (ESV) Revelation 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” This church was found in a culture FULL of absolute depravity, sin, and complete persecution. Because of that, these believers had to meet in secret, and I believe would have often felt unseen, unknown, isolated and alone. And to those feelings Jesus spoke intentionally regarding who He is. Jesus sees us. 2 Chronicles 16:9 [9] For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him...” Proverbs 15:3 [3] The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. God saw the Smyrnean believers, their suffering, their culture, their entire lives and revealed himself to them in such a way that would truly encourage them that He sees them. They are not truly alone or isolated or unseen as they would struggle feeling. Psalm 139 was true for them as it is for us today. Where can we flee or run from your presence! **TODAY, Jesus sees you. He is the first and the last. He is continually for you. The eyes of the LORD see you! He always watches over His beloved children. He sees and knows intimately what you walked through this last year, this last week, and what will happen for the remainder of your days. He sees the sin struggles, he sees the trials and temptations, he sees the wrestling in your soul, he sees the pain and loss and grief. He sees the persecution. He sees you!** Part 2 of his revelation. ...who died and came to life. What was all around the believers in Smyrna from what we looked at earlier? Death. Believers in Smyrna woke up to the daily risk of death. An example of the reality facing a believer in Smyrna. Two realities humanity faces Hardships on account of living in a world that groans for redemption. Persecution on account of the name of Jesus. There is a difference between these two, and a spectrum within both. The church in Smyrna experienced the first reality, of course, because it’s a given for everyone. But above that, they faced true persecution. Some of the most intense persecution found for centuries, from both the pagan culture they lived in, but also from the Jewish population located in and around Smyrna was the daily normal for them. I am not downplaying by ANY means the troubles, trials, or general hardships that you may have faced or are currently enduring, whether it’s a strained relationship, the death of a family member, or super inconvenient car troubles. Those are real as they are real for me as they were real for Jesus himself… Our Father looks on us with perfect compassion. And when we experience pain or loss or hardships in this life, he is there for us, to help us pick up the pieces of our shattered lives. He sees us and is there to give us the wisdom we need to navigate dysfunctional team dynamics at work or the health insurance puzzles about a bill we thought was covered, or helps us understand and navigate fixing broken internet connections. **He never enables foolishness, exalts the proud, or gives his glory elsewhere. He disciplines those he loves, lovingly prunes us, and there are consequences for sin. But it is out of His love for us that he disciplines and prunes us, as a good Father. But he also shows us tender mercy that renews daily. He is slow to anger and abounding in love, his strength is magnified in our weakness, and is our ever present help in times of need. He wishes that none would perish. His heart is always for the redemption and good of His image bearers, and His grace is sufficient for us! Romans 12:12. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. There is a clear division between hardship and persecution, and between what is simply inconvenient to us. It is dangerous to place all things that are hard in the category of persecution. What would be one of the biggest emotions you would face as a Smyrnean believer? Fear. Specifically fear of death. A few things regarding fear, because it’s definitely talked about in the bible. 2“[Fear] is meant to protect us from danger and give us the energy and motivation to get out of harm’s way or avoid a catastrophe. Much like anger, the presence of fear itself is not sin, but it can lead to sinful behavior if we are not careful.” Fear unsubmitted to Christ cripples us. It is the enemy of our faith. He sees the fear of his children residing in the living hellstorm at Smyrna. He clearly and kindly speaks to them, reminds them that He sees them, and also that the biggest thing behind their fear He has already overcome. Jesus defeated death! “I am the first and the last, who died and came to life.” Jesus reveals himself to them to reassure them of the life that cannot be taken from them, even if they are killed for the gospel. “I see you always, and I died and came to life so that you may have life eternal.” [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. [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. 2. Jesus’ Warning to the Church You are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to... As i was reading this I personally remembered something that I can often forget… What is my battle against? Suffering on account of the gospel is going to happen Our battle is not against flesh and blood. Ephesians 6:12 [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (ESV) Ephesians 2:1–2 [1] And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— (ESV) So, when we feel the war, what does Jesus say to do? Not to demonize the persecutor or the offender. Rather, Jesus clearly says, Matthew 5:10–12 [10] “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (ESV) Matthew 5:43–47 [43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Pray for those who persecute you, love your enemies. What if because of our prayers for and our active loving of our enemies and persecutors, they see a glimpse of the kindness and goodness of the Lord. What if that leads them to repentance and THEY then turn and give their lives to Jesus! There are stories upon stories of the persecutor coming to faith. From the soldier at the foot of the cross looking upon Christ saying, “surely this was the Son of God,” to the prison guard and his whole family in Acts 16 receiving Christ! Philippians 1:12–14 [12] I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, [13] so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. [14] And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (ESV) Following Jesus comes with a cost. Jesus’ warning to the church was coupled with an even greater promise. Greater than the inevitability of persecution for the gospel is the promise of Jesus' presence! Luke 14:26–33 [26] “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. [27] Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. [28] For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? [29] Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, [30] saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ [31] Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? [32] And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. [33] So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (ESV) Philippians 3:7–11 [7] But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. [8] Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—[10] that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (ESV) Matthew 10:26–33 [26] “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. [27] What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. [28] 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. [29] Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. [30] But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. [32] So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, [33] but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (ESV) 3. The promise Jesus gives: Life The first death He overcame so that we would not experience the second death. So that we would not perish. So that we would abide forever with God in Christ. Oh what good news it is that Jesus sees me, that He sees you! That he is with you. That he died for you, that he rose from the grave for you, that he speaks to you, that he is for you, that he is passionately in love with you and wants you, and wants me, to abide with him. Oh what kindness that Jesus tells us what is to come: hardship, yes, and persecution. But in all things is the promise of his presence. Communion All scripture references are from the ESV translation. 1. Rick Renner. A Light in Darkness. Harrison House Publishers 2. Cortni Marrazzo. Article from crosswalk.com