Chapter Introduction
The main point of all seven letters, and to all churche is to:
- Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength: love your neighbor as yourself
- If #1 is true, you will hold fast to the timeless gospel truth.
- If #2 is true, then you will love the Bible, teach the scriptures, and reject false teaching.
- If #3 is true, you will live a life consistent with the first two.
- A surrendered Disciple
- A living sacrifice
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (2 Chron 16:9)
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In Chapter 1, John wrote about what he saw. Now, in Chapter 2, he begins to write about the things that are. Jesus is dictating a letter to each of these seven churches. These letters were written in the typical fashion of that time.
- Each begins with who the letter is addressed to.
- Then, the author of the letter.
- In every letter, Jesus says, “I know your works.”
- Commendation and joy (Missing from Laodicea – obvious in its omission, says much to them and us.
- Criticism and disappointment. (Missing from Smyrna & Philadephia – obvious in its omission, it says much to them and us)
- At the end of each letter, Jesus alludes to His coming again.
Every church that calls itself a church of Jesus Christ should understand that He knows its works. Is any church able to see its shortcomings? If we heard the Lord say, “This I have against you,” would it not change us?
Can you imagine getting a letter from the Lord? Dear Calvary Chapel Sweetwater, “I know your works.” What would we hear then? Would there be criticism, and would anyone be surprised by it?
The church shouldn't need a letter from Jesus to be on course. If He is at the center of all we do and we’re being led by the Spirit, we should be fine. It is the constant communication from the Lord that keeps us on course. When we part from God's word or forget that he knows our works, we come to error.
These letters are written to you, the church. Too many see the church as the pastor or a small group of leaders. You are part of a body. The body is the church. We should hear commendation and feel criticism, as well as listen to warnings because we are prone to repeat failures. Let’s come to these letters with reverent humility, being teachable, and seeking the truth.
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Ephesus
The first letter is to the Church of Ephesus. When John wrote this letter, Ephesus was the third-largest city in the Roman Empire. Ephesus was a very old city founded in 1100 BC. It had originally been closer to the coastline. The Cimmerians destroyed it in 650 BC. The city was rebuilt nearby but further from the coast. It was involved in many wars. It also suffered damage in 17AD from an earthquake that rocked the area.
In the first century, all the nearby roads converged on Ephesus, making it a hub of that area. Some of the roads also came from further away, making Ephesus a gateway from the east.
- From the Euphrates and Mesopotamia
- From Colosse and Laodicea.
- From Galatia by way of Sardis.
- From the south, the Maeander Valley.
These places and regions found access to the Mediterranean through Ephesus, which was also the highway to Rome. In later days, Christians would be brought across these roads to be thrown into the arena with lions. Ignatius, the Bishop of Antioch, called Ephesus the Highway of the Martyrs. An ancient geographer (Strabo) called Ephesus ‘the Market of Asia.’
It was known as a “free city” to Rome. As a “Free City,” the Ephesians were allowed to rule themselves since they had served the Roman empire well. Ephesus means darling, maiden of choice. Ephesus was the maiden of choice in the Roman Empire. Ephesus was famous as a cultural and economic center of the region. One source estimates the population of Ephesus to be 250,000. This made it one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean. As a point of reference, the Sweetwater population was 6500 in 2023. Ephesus would be 38 times larger.
Paul started the church at Ephesus on his second missionary journey (AD52). He took time to preach in the synagogue and then left Priscilla and Aquila there (Acts 18:19). Apollos also ended up ministering there (Acts 18:24). Paul came back and spent a few years (AD54-56). Timothy would later be the pastor there. John came there, probably after Timothy. You might think the church there would be strong and vibrant. However, Ephesus was a stronghold of Satan. Many evil, superstitious, and satanic things were practiced there. Books containing formulas for sorcery and other ungodly and forbidden arts were plentiful in that city. One source reports that the phrase “Ephesian writings” described documents that contained magic formulas or spells (LBD sites Trebilco, “Asia,” 314).
We see just a glimpse of the demonic activity in Act 19 when a group of amateur Jewish exorcists tried to drive out a demon because they had seen Paul do it. They tried their hand at it, and the demon-possessed man beat them up. They ran away, beaten and naked.
This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. (Acts 19:17-19)
This city was a major cultural and economic center. It was also a major center for religion. Unfortunately, much of the religion was evil.
Ephesus was probably best known as the home of the Temple of Artemis or the Temple of Dianna. The temple of Dianna made Ephesus the capital of paganism. Dianna was a fertility goddess worshipped with immoral sex. A once famous Philosopher, Heraclitus, said that no one could live in Ephesus without weeping at its immorality.
This temple was an amazing structure with 127 pillars, each of them 60' tall. It was 425' by 220'. This temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Besides being an evil temple, it also served as a major world bank. Kings from all over came to have their treasure stored there and watched over by this goddess. As John wrote this letter to them, the temple to Artemis had been around for some 650 years (although it had been destroyed a few times). This was an ancient city, and the evil was now deeply rooted.
The pagan worshipers didn’t mind the existence of the church. There were many idols and religions. They could all be there as long as none interfered with the Temple of Dianna and that it brought to the city. Besides the wealth of kings and the world's traded goods, the Temple brought the curious and the seekers. When the seven sons of Sceva got whipped by a demon, all the city heard of it (Acts 19:14-20). They were overpowered and ran away naked. The people of the city became fearful and repented, confessing their sins. They brought their books of magic and burned them.
Demetrius didn’t like all this repentance; it was bad for his business, and he began to stir up a mob against Paul. The mob went to the open theater (Acts 19:21-41), which was purported to hold 25,000. The disciples kept Paul from going, knowing he would be torn limb for limb. The city clerk finally quieted the crowd. He said, “What man is there who does not know that the city of Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great goddess Diana and of the image which fell down from Zeus?” There is some historical information that this image was a manmade image that, over time, gained the reputation that it fell down from Zeus. This was probably good for Demetrius’s business. It wouldn’t be unheard of for this to be a meteorite stone that they took as their goddess. The image was one of the most sacred in the ancient world. It wasn’t beautiful by any stretch of the imagination. The image of Artemis is described as a “squat, black, many-breasted figure.” It was so ancient that no one knew where it came from.
Paul was spared from the mob when he moved on. He returned a short time later on the way back to Jerusalem. He didn’t enter the city but called the elders to himself (Acts 20:17-31).
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
Paul then wrote to the Ephesians around A.D.62. It is possible that John went to Ephesus in A.D.66 when the Jewish wars started. He supposedly took Mary, the mother of Jesus, with him to keep her safe. It was 30 years after that that John wrote to them again from Patmos.
From the beginning, Ephesus had all the makings of a perfect place for a church because the darkness was so prominent. Among all this darkness, the church of Ephesus would be a lampstand for the light of Jesus Christ. Ephesus was a perfect place for a church to feed the truth to the starving souls of mankind.
Revelation 2:1
Salutation
The word “angel” is a Greek word that means messenger. This word was used to speak of men or heavenly beings. The word means messenger, or one called with a message. The angel this letter is written to could mean pastor. Some also see it as the guardian angel assigned to that church. This church would be characterized by that messenger. Whatever the meaning, the angel of this church represents the spirit or conveys the spirit of the church, and thereby, the effectiveness of the church as a lampstand to hold up the light of Jesus. This letter is not just to the angel; it's to the people who made up the church.
Jesus presents Himself as:
He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.
Each of these titles relates back to John's vision of Chapter 1, which puts Jesus at the head of the church as the High Priest. The seven stars Jesus holds in His hand are the messengers to whom the letters are addressed. As the church of Jesus Christ, He has authority and control over the church.
Jesus is the light for the Ephesian lampstand. They exist as a church of Christ, by Christ, for Christ, for the purpose of His calling. Jesus is the light of the church. He is the power and authority behind this church.
Revelation 2:2-3
The Commendation
Jesus said, “I know your works” to every church. He walked among the lampstands and knew what was going on there. He saw their labors and the attitude with which they were done. This “labor” is the difficulty, toil, effort, and the heart with which it was done. It was all known by Jesus. He likewise knew their patience or steadfast endurance. This is the same patience John said he was a partner in because of suffering. It is a courageous and bold walk in this crazy world while being a citizen of the next. I think we can say the Ephesians worked hard at ministry. They took it seriously. They weren't just messing around in their spare time.
Jesus then noted the very real standard of purity in that they couldn’t bear those who were evil. This is not like Stephen King's evil – but the evil of unrighteous acts of normal people. It’s the evil that exists in our hearts and plays out in this world. Those who say they are apostles and are not may well be the evil they hated. Except for John, all the apostles had passed away. Many false teachers and charlatans came around, claiming to be apostles. The Lord knew they didn’t just let anyone in but learned to test those who came with a message.
What was the test? We don’t know. Since they were found not to be apostles of Christ, they either had a different message or a different Jesus. The test likely concerned the cross, resurrection, sin, grace, and the law.
He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:4)
Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:22)
In Acts 20:29-31 as Paul met with the elders of Ephesus for the last time, he warned them:
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
The Ephesians apparently heeded Paul's warning. They were careful and guarded against false doctrine. There was steadfast work for the Lord, courageous and determined. They labored for His name’s sake and no other. This is important. Not all work in the church is done this way. Some are for the name of the pastor, the name of the church, or someone making a name for themselves within the church. Ephesus maintained that work for the Lord. It started in the Spirit and maintained in the Spirit is work that won’t drive you to weariness.
Revelation 2:4
The Condemnation
“Nevertheless” means that even though you did all this good stuff, I have something against you. Ephesus, there’s a problem. All the good didn't cancel out the bad. The bad was that they had left their first love. It's important to note that they didn't lose it; it wasn't taken from them, and they left it.
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. (1 John 4:20)
‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’(Mark 12:30)
The first love of any church must be a love of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Among the church, there should be a natural love for the things of God, for His people, and for all His ways! In Ephesus, in the midst of guarding their purity and in the midst of their hard work they lost their focus and left their first love. Love is the basis for good works, desire for purity, and hate of sin. If they left that basis, they were trending toward empty religion and legalism.
They forgot to guard their relationship with God. Over time, the new wore off. In place of the new and excitement of the initial discovery of God and His glory and grace, there is a maturity and infinite depth available for us to grow into.
As the new wore off and the persecution became more prominent, the relationship was replaced with works; with religion. They failed to deepen and grow their relationship with God, maybe because the costs were high. They failed to hold onto that which was first and that which led them to everything else. How could this happen?
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15)
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1 John 5:21)
Revelation 2:5
The Exhortation
Here's what they were to do about the problem they faced. Jesus called for remembrance.
- Remember the great joy of knowing your sins were forgiven?
- Remember when you first understood the idea of God’s grace?
- Remember how you used to spend time in His Word given to us by which to know Him?
- Remember how you used to pray and talk to God?
- Remember the joy of getting together with other Christians?
- Remember how excited you were about telling others about Jesus?
- Remember the hope that moved you through difficult days as you longed for the coming day?
It seems the Ephesians had fallen into an empty religion. Jesus’s words picture a higher place, a place nearer Him—not a place they attained by works but a place unveiled by grace. They had fallen from that place where they lived in His grace, trusting Him for every breath and heartbeat. Now, they feared, worried, and fretted over things. They were busy to the point of allowing their relationship with the Lord to suffer.
It was important for the Ephesians to repent, agree, and turn around. Change direction and return to their first works. They were once characterized by that first love? A review of that would leave them wondering, “How did it slip away?” Some of the more important lessons learned and lasting impressions on our minds come from the exercise of remembering our former state, of the person, of a church, a people, and a race. Whenever we discover we’re separated from God, the first act is to return to where we last knew Him. Then, we return to the place where we best knew Him (purpose of communion). Then, figure out how we got separated and don’t do that again.
The “or else” ought to get everyone’s attention. The church cannot be called a church if the love of God is not there. They could not proclaim Christ if they acted like the devil. There had to be a fervent desire to never part from their first love.
Revelation 2:6
There are several theories about the Nicolaitans' deeds. An early church father wrote of them, saying they led lives of unrestrained indulgence. They were indifferent to matters of morality and purity. These were the guys who said spiritual matters had nothing to do with physical matters. Therefore, live however you want to live and indulge yourself. You might find the Nicolaitans talking about Jesus one moment and then making their way to the temple of Dianna later to take part in Pagan carousing.
- Irenæus said the Nicolaitans were characterized by their promiscuity and eating things offered to idols.
- Eusebius stated essentially the same thing. He said there was a tradition that Nicolaus had a beautiful wife and was jealous of her. He renounced all relations with her and took part in illicit pleasure.
- Tertullian spoke of the Nicolaitans as a type of Gnostic.
- Neander considered them Antinomians (those rejecting traditional moral boundaries; God’s laws have no bearing on our life.)
- Some hold the opinion that Nicolas was a proselyte of Antioch, one of the seven deacons. The authority of his position was used to found a sect.
- Others think the Nicolaitans were simply a group of people who made a habit of enticing Christians to participate in the sacrificial feasts of the temple, which involved temple prostitutes, among other things. There are some who see them as the forerunners of a clerical hierarchy to rule over the laity. They see nikaō, meaning “to conquer,” and laos, meaning “the people.”
The Nicolaitans were like any other deceiver that comes from within the body of Christ. They claimed they weren't harming Christianity but that their ways and teachings or habits were enhancing it, making it better or maybe more progressive.
We are to be people characterized by love, and we love even our enemies. The Ephesians hated these people's deeds, and the Lord commends them for their hatred of them. They hated what the Lord hated. It is a hatred of sin and not the people.
Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies. (Psalm 139:21-22)
Revelation 2:7
The Promise/Hope
Who has an ear? We all do, and we are all to hear this message. Within the letter to each church is a promise. He who overcomes will have the right to eat from the Tree of Life. This promise isn’t just for those of Ephesus but for Christians across the ages. This is a general promise to the church. It’s not some special award for those who attain a high place among churches. The norm of what is expected of us as a church is perseverance to the end and eating from the Tree of Life. As a church of Jesus Christ, we are to be overcomers. What did they need to overcome?
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)
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Note: I studied and taught this in the middle of December 2020 in the midst of what was called the COVID-19 pandemic. While this virus was bad, the response to the virus was more devastating than the virus itself. One of the damaging responses was people separated from the church. They suffered from a crisis of faith. Too many have put their church life, calling, and faith on hold, as if they could set it aside for a bit and pick it up later. But God’s commands are not nullified by a virus. The call He placed on us can’t be thrown off for a season. More importantly, it is in this season when those without faith need us to be the light. Many churches claim it an act of love and light to close the doors so someone doesn’t get sick. There is something worse than getting sick and something worse than even dying from a virus or anything else. Life without Christ is a life without hope, but death without Him is an unthinkable, eternal hell.
The distractions that caused any church to leave that first love seem so small in comparison to an eternal hell, making your own payment for sins. Our life in the church isn’t about our happiness, health, wealth, and joy. We were purchased by the precious blood of Christ. In that redemption, we are called to a new life of service.
All that might draw you away from your first love, no matter how enticing, fruitful, or valuable it might seem, is not from the Lord. We each have to overcome the things of the world that would draw us away from God. These things come from inside the church as well as outside.
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Ephesus is now a tourist attraction and an archeological relic. The ruins of a theatre, the circus, and the stadium are amazing sites that give you a glimpse into history. It once held the most famous games in Asia (like the Olympics). You can see what’s left of temples and palaces that once drew honor and wealth of the nations. However, among it all, there is no shred of evidence of the church. There is no evidence that the church at Ephesus heard the call to repent. It appears the church became extinct there, and the lampstand was removed from the midst of the Lord. Maybe this is the lesson for us in our times.
Neither Paul, Priscilla and Aquilla, Apollos, Timothy, or John could save a church that had lost its first love. The church was born of the Spirit and could only be maintained by the Spirit. Those ministers, messengers, and workers could only point to the work of the Spirit, call for repentance, and plead for their ears to hear and that it would make it to their hearts.
When and where the church fails, the culture fails.
Ephesus is a tourist site. In 262 A.D., the Goths destroyed Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. There was some restoration, but the city never regained its glory. In 431 A.D., a council was held in the Church of Saint Mary in Ephesus. The Church of Mary, or some form of it, seemed to survive until the seventh century. What’s left is the Muslim city of Selcuk, Turkey. There is a small Protestant church there.
Revelation 2:8
The City of Smyrna
If you traveled north along the coastal highway from Ephesus for 35 miles, you would come to Smyrna and enter it by what was called the Ephesian gate. Smyrna was another very large and proud city, one of the finest in all of Asia, once known as “The Lovely” or “The Crown of Ionia” and “The Ornament of Asia” or “The Glory of Asia.”
Smyrna was home to 200,000 people at the time John wrote this letter. Located on a protected harbor of the Aegean Sea, it was connected to a major system of roads. This made it one of the wealthiest cities in Asia. Its wealth was only exceeded by Ephesus. The guilds were a powerful presence there. There were guilds of basket fishermen, tanners, silversmiths, and goldsmiths, among others. To be a member in a guild you had to sacrifice to the guild’s pagan deity, and probably to the emperor as well.
The city of Smyrna was built to be a model city. Its prominence, affluence, and location made it a center of learning and culture. The city had beautiful, well-paved streets lined with colonnades. It had a public library, a theater that would seat 20,000, a grain market, and a world-famous gymnasium. There was one street called the “Street of Gold.”
Religion of Smyrna
In general, Smyrna was committed to idol worship. It was the center for the worship of Dionysus, the god of wine. The “Street of Gold” was a long and straight street and famous for all that was found along it. At one end, towards one of its harbors, near the sea, was the temple of Cybele (earth goddess was associated with mountains, hawks, and lions). At the other end of the street was the temple of Zeus. All along the street were various other temples to Apollo, Asklepios, and Aphrodite. In the day this letter was written one of the most pressing forms of idol worship was the worship of the emperor of Rome as if he were god. This was known as Imperial worship.
This began in 196 B.C. when they built a temple to the goddess of Rome (Dea Roma). The spirit of Rome was worshiped, which led to the worship of the dead Emperors, and finally the worship of living emperors. In Domitian’s day, it became compulsory. Once a year, you would renew you declaration of Caesar as Lord by burning a pinch of incense and making that declaration. You would then receive a certificate to carry with you.
The Letter
The letter was written to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This “angel” was likely a reference to the pastor and not some sort of guardian angel. Although, the word was used frequently to describe heavenly beings, especially by John, and should not be ruled out. The word is used to speak of God’s messengers.
There is a different title for Christ in every letter. The “First and Last” was a title originally associated with Yahweh in Isaiah 41:4. Jesus linked His identity as the Lord over the church with Yahweh of the Old Testament. As the First, He preceded all things:
And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Col 1:17-18)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:1-3)
Jesus is the First and the Last, from eternity past to eternity future. He is not ruled by time, yet He entered time as a man (John said One like the Son of Man). He lived a perfect life and died to pay for our sins. He then overcame death. This is an important point to a persecuted people. He stepped from eternity to humanity to die a brutal death He did not deserve so that we could step from humanity to eternity, avoiding a judgment we absolutely deserve. This is the gospel of grace. He died for us that we might live as He lives, a conqueror of death.
How do you threaten someone who completely understands that if you persecute them unto death, they will arrive in paradise sooner? They become fearless! Think about Paul, who had already been given a glimpse of heaven.
He was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. (2 Cor 12:4)
Note: Paul was caught up to Paradise. The most notable thing he mentioned was not what he saw but what he heard. He heard things too sacred to repeat. He heard things that could not be expressed in words. There is an idea that a person can be “Too heavenly-minded to be any earthly good.” If there is any truth to this, Paul would be the first and most likely candidate. Is this why he was given a thorn in the flesh? This would certainly balance his life with some humility. God taught Paul His grace was sufficient. To have our minds on the things above, the life beyond this life (it's only a heartbeat away for any of us), is to be empowered and emboldened to face anything in this life.
Part of Jesus’ identification is with death as a basis for overcoming it. Smyrna means Myrrh, which is a fragrant gum resin drawn from certain trees. It was associated with death, as Myrrh was used in embalming. When Jesus was born, the wise men from the East brought Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. The Myrrh they brought to Jesus probably came from this area.
Note: The First use of the word Myrrh was in Genesis 37 when Joseph is sold to a caravan headed to Egypt. That caravan was hauling Myrrh. The effect of that caravan on Jacob was as if his son was dead. The last time we see the word Myrrh in the bible was when Nicodemus joined up with Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus. Nicodemus brought 100lbs of Myrrh and aloe mixture. The myrrh most likely came from Smyrna.
Revelation 2:9
Smyrna's Commendation
In each of the seven letters to the seven churches, the Lord knows their works. Whether they acknowledge Him or are aware of it, He is the head of every church. He is active and alive and engaged in them. As such, He knows their tribulation and poverty. These two words are linked closely. The trade unions and guilds were powerful in Smyrna; many were linked to idols, gods, or goddesses. To get work in the city, an allegiance to the guild was required, and part of that was offering worship to their god and swearing allegiance to it. As Christians, if they refused to bow before these gods, they were not allowed in the guild. Now work, no paycheck, and they were quickly thrust into poverty. Their tribulation could be as little as interfering with their employment to as much as physical suffering or martyrdom. Their poverty appears to be abject poverty. This word for ‘poverty’ is only used one other place (but two times) to speak of the Lord becoming poor
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes, He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
The city of Smyrna was among the richest cities anywhere, but the church had nothing. They had no money, but they were rich in the eyes of Jesus. It's better to be a church poor in the world, rich in Christ, than to be a church rich in the world and poor in the eyes of Jesus. To be a Christian in Smyrna was to accept a life sentence of persecution and poverty. In their poverty, they were a stark contrast to the affluent culture around them.
Not only were the Christians feeling the pressure from the world around them, but they also felt the persecution of the synagogues, the religious center of Jewish life. The Lord knew of the blasphemy in their midst, coming from those who said they were Jews but were not. Paul wrote about a similar group in his letter to Romans:
You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written. (Romans 2:21-24)
The synagogue was a place where the scriptures were read, prayers were offered, where they worshiped the Lord and heard from him in the presence of other believers. A synagogue of Satan implies the work at that synagogue no longer honored the Lord but was doing the work of Satan. These Jews who weren't really, all claimed to know God but did not. Their synagogue was not a meeting place for those seeking God. Jesus knew the real church; he wasn't fooled by this facade. The real church didn't have to worry about this blasphemous group being associated with them.
Revelation 2:10
Note that there is no condemnation for this church. In the place of critique and a remedy is the Lord offering encouragement to persevere during a season of suffering. They were not to be controlled by fear. There was no heresy present, no false teachers or goofy doctrine. The church had been purified in its persecution. The false teachers, the heretics, and others present in the church for the wrong reasons had all run away. The bad doctrine and squishy beliefs had all crumbled under pressure. Tribulation has a way of purging and purifying – the false believers, part-time, and notional Christians all eased out the back door when things got difficult.
The Lord instructed them not to fear the suffering that was coming. Jesus didn’t bring them news of their best life now. He brought a prophecy that they were about to suffer. Jesus encouraged them in that they didn’t need to fear. The command is closer to, “Stop being afraid!”
The implication was some were afraid. The hate of the Jews, the power of Rome, the bloodlust of the games, and its vicious, hungry lions were designed to bring fear that led to compromise and yielding. These are things that will scare normal, unprepared, or unbelieving people. However, they should not scare the believer encouraged by the Lord. The devil will throw some in prison and test you. It was going to be a test through which they could stand up by the power of the Lord. This test would be a testimony and strengthen their faith. Faith is always strengthened and grown when it is tested.
The first one to be encouraged by these words was John himself, who was enduring the severities of exile on a barren, rock island as he wrote the letters.
The tribulation would last ten days. There are debates in the interpretation of these ten days:
- Ten days means ten years.
- An idiom for the ten years of the rule of the emperor Domitian, which ended in 96.
- Ten different periods of persecution across the ages.
- Ten different Emperors beginning with Nero (A.D. 54) to Diocletian (A.D. 284).
- Ten days means ten days (unless there is some indication it is symbolic).
The plain, normal reading of this would be ten days of testing. This is similar to the ten days of testing of Daniel and his friends in Daniel 1. They had seperated themselves in honoring their dietary restrictions. They refused to compromise. The Lord sustained them because of the commitment.
God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. (Daniel 1:17-20)
The church in Smyrna were in a season of suffering. The Lord called for them to be faithful, even if it meant the tribulation brought death. As bad as that may seem, there are worse things. Many seek living at any cost, compromising liberty, love, and zeal for life, only to find out what they had wasn’t life, but only existing in bondage, having given everything away to those that never quit taking.
The Lord said to be faithful and have a zeal for the fullness of life right to the end.
The faithfulness unto death would be rewarded with the crown of life. This refers to eternal life itself being awarded to the believer. The crown of life comes by way of physical death. The crown of life is to be ushered into His presence, to receive a glorified body and live life eternal in paradise.
***
Smyrna was located by Mt Pagus. On top of this mount were several temples that glittered like a crown. These temples resembled a crown when seen from the city. In fact, Mt Pagus was known as "the Crown of Smyrna." Smyrna was also known as "the Crown City." It seems Smyrna offered a crown of its own to all who would subscribe to its ways, to all who would worship a false god on the Street of Gold, to all who would seek the riches of this world and remain spiritually poor.
The contrast to that is the crown of life given by the One who overcame death. Though they were poor in this world, crushed and beaten, they would be crowned in eternity.
“What matters the frown of the world if we have the smile of God?”
(Donald Grey Barnehouse)
Revelation 2:11
We, the people with ears, are to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. This letter was first written for their encouragement, growth and edification, then it was given to us for the same. What does the Spirit say?
Among other things, I think we can see these points:
- Death is conquered and not to be feared.
- The Lord started the letter reminding them of His eternality. He was dead and came to life. He was the first fruit of the grave with many to follow in a greater harvest.
- Jesus is bigger than death.
- To be poor in Spirit is to be rich in the Lord.
- To be poor is to recognize that we have no righteousness whatsoever. Our righteousness account is one of abject poverty. It brings utter appreciation for what He’s done for us.
- We are rich because we are known by Him.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
- The Lord had no complaint against them.
- Persecution had purified the church.
- The faithful stood, prepared for that day. The weak became strong.
- The false converts, false teachers, bad doctrine, those who cause division, and others attached to the body for the wrong reasons, were all driven away.
- There will always be a religion that opposes truth.
- The synagogue became a tool of the Devil, characterized by a hatred of those who love God.
- We see so-called churches moving that way. They’ve embraced the social causes and the narrative of the world. We should not be surprised when persecution comes from within.
The church is called to:
- Stop being afraid. Not because you’ve stockpiled ammo and you have food for twenty years. We can stand apart from fear because we have faith in Jesus.
- Don’t compromise. Be faithful, all the way to the end.
- There is a crown of life with your name on it.
- There is no middle of the road. There don’t seem to be awards for partial faith or minimal compromise.
- To be faithful is to Overcome.
****
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy from Rome. As the day of his martyrdom approached, he said:
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 6-7)
We are called to be overcomers.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
To overcome was to escape the second death. Those who have died to “self” and are born again will not taste death, let alone the second death. The first death is the death of the body, the second death was to be cast into a the lake of fire. The second death was a Jewish rabbinic expression for the total extinction of the utterly wicked. We’ll see the expression in Revelation 20 in John’s vision of the Great White Throne Judgment. The dead, small and great will stand before the Lord and the books will be opened. Each will be judged according to their deeds.
Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15)
This is thed judgment of those who are not in Christ. They came to death in their sin, having rejected the Lord. They stand with only their deeds. Their deeds will be judged and found inadequate..
Born twice, die once.
Born once, die twice.
Today, the city of Smyrna is called Izmir and it seems there is a church there today. The church of Smyrna was the only of the seven to survive.
Polycarp
The church of god which sojourneth at Smyrna to the Church of God which sojourneth in Philomelium and to all the brotherhoods of the holy and universal Church sojourning in every place; mercy and peace and love from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied.
1. We write unto you, brethren, an account of what befel those that suffered martyrdom and especially the blessed Polycarp, who stayed the persecution, having as it were set his seal upon it by his martyrdom. For nearly all the foregoing events came to pass that the Lord might show us once more an example of martyrdom which is conformable to the Gospel. 2For he lingered that he might be delivered up, even as the Lord did, to the end that we too might be imitators of him, not looking only to that which concerneth ourselves, but also to that which concerneth our neighbours. For it is the office of true and stedfast love, not only to desire that oneself be saved, but all the brethren also.
The writer notes that many saints were being tortured, beaten, and fed to the lions. The treatment was so brutal that, at times, the bloodthirsty crowd that observed even felt pity for them and wept. The onlookers noted their bravery and patient endurance. They concluded they were either no longer in the flesh or that the Lord was by their side conversing with them.
One man stood strong in his faith, even to where the proconsul would have relented had he abandoned his faith. Rather than turn from his faith, he turned towards the beast and faced his end.
“So after this all the multitude, marvelling at the bravery of the God-beloved and God-fearing people of the Christians, raised a cry, ‘Away with the atheists; let search be made for Polycarp.’”
Some were not so brave. A man namedd Quintus, after seeing the wild beasts was overcome with fear. He abandoned his faith, swore an oath and offered incense to Caesar.
When Polycarp first heard of all this, he was not fearful, but others convinced him to leave town and hide. He hid at a nearby farm. He employed himself to prayer for all the saints. While praying he fell into a trance and saw his pillow burning with fire. He instantly knew he was to be burned alive.
The authorities came upon Polycarp a few days later. He wasn’t what they expected. They didn’t expect an older, frail man when he was reputed to be spiritually strong, vital, and devout. This man was looked upon as a leader and father of so many who were suffering. The authorities offered him some time for a last meal before his trial. Instead, Polycarp asked that he might have an hour to pray.
“On their consenting, he stood up and prayed, being so full of the grace of God, that for two hours he could not hold his peace, and those that heard were amazed, and many repented that they had come against such a venerable old man.”
As he was taken through town, the local authorities tried to convince him to just declare Caesar as Lord and offer incense to avoid a brutal death. “What harm can it do?” they asked. He rejected their offer and was beaten for it.
“But as Polycarp entered into the stadium, a voice came to him from heaven; ‘Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man.’”
The proconsul respected Polycarp for his age. He made an offer to “Swear by the genius of Cæsar; repent and say, Away with the atheists.” Polycarp, in solemness, looked on the crowd. They were bloodthirsty and an example of the lawless unbelievers. Polycarp looked to heaven he said, “Away with the atheists.” The magistrate pressed him, “Swear the oath, and I will release thee; revile the Christ,” Polycarp said:
“Fourscore and six years have I been His servant, and He hath done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
The magistrate tried to convince him over and over to turn from Christ. Polycarp spoke of the respect he was supposed to have for authorities, but he found them unworthy of that respect, and unworthy of further conversation. The proconsul threatened him with the wild beasts. Polycarp said:
“Call for them: for the repentance from better to worse is a change not permitted to us; but it is a noble thing to change from untowardness to righteousness.”
Then he was threatened with fire, to be burned alive if he didn’t repent. But Polycarp said;
“Thou threatenest that fire which burneth for a season and after a little while is quenched: for thou art ignorant of the fire of the future judgment and eternal punishment, which is reserved for the ungodly. But why delayest thou? Come, do what thou wilt.”
Polycarp was inspired with courage and joy. His demeanor was the grace of God. It was heralded to the stadium that Polycarp confessed to be a Christian.
“When this was proclaimed by the herald, the whole multitude both of Gentiles and of Jews who dwelt in Smyrna cried out with ungovernable wrath and with a loud shout, ‘This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, the puller down of our gods, who teacheth numbers not to sacrifice nor worship.’”
They wanted the lion to be loosed on Polycarp. The authorities said they could not lawfully do this. Then, they cried for him to be burned alive. The account said that it happened fast. Firewood was gathered and placed all around him. He was stripped of his outer garment, upper garments, and shoes. They were going to nail him to the stake, when he said:
“Leave me as I am; for He that hath granted me to endure the fire will grant me also to remain at the pile unmoved, even without the security which ye seek from the nails.”
So they didn’t nail him to the stake. They tied his hands behind him. The writer likened him to a noble ram out of a great flock prepared as an offering, a burnt sacrifice, acceptable to God. He looked up to heaven said;
“O Lord God Almighty, the Father of Thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the knowledge of Thee, the God of angels and powers and of all creation and of the whole race of the righteous, who live in Thy presence; I bless Thee for that Thou hast granted me this day and hour, that I might receive a portion amongst the number of martyrs in the cup of Christ unto resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and of body, in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. May I be received among these in Thy presence this day, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, as Thou didst prepare and reveal it beforehand, and hast accomplished it, Thou that art the faithful and true God. For this cause, yea and for all things, I praise Thee, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, through the eternal and heavenly High-priest, Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, through whom with Him and the Holy Spirit be glory both now [and ever] and for the ages to come. Amen.’
At the finish of his prayer, the fire was lit. The writer observed the great flame.
The fire, making the appearance of a vault, like the sail of a vessel filled by the wind, made a wall round about the body of the martyr; and it was there in the midst, not like flesh burning, but like [a loaf in the oven or like] gold and silver refined in a furnace. For we perceived such a fragrant smell, as if it were the wafted odour of frankincense or some other precious spice.
The lawless authorities, seeing that he was not being burned, ordered an executioner to stab him. Upon being stabbed, it is said a dove came forth, followed by a quantity of blood that put out the fire. The multitude marveled. The witness of Polycarp went forth. His days were complete.
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, was martyred on Saturday, 23rd February, ad 155 (1869 years ago).
There was fear that his body and bones might become an idol. Great care was taken that his testimony was of Jesus Christ. The Lord saved him and carried him through a long life to the end.
(Excerpts and quotes from The Martyrdom of Polycarp, a letter from the church at Philomelium)
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