REVELATION 2:8-9
Smyrna
Historically, Smyrna is the church that followed Ephesus. It continued for the next couple of centuries (second to fourth centuries) and went through such tremendous persecution from the Roman government. It is thought that perhaps as many as six million Christians were martyred for their faith during the Romangovernment's attempt to wipe out Christianity.
"Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna" (Revelation 2:8).
If the "angel" refers to the local bishop of the church, the bishop of Smyrna was Polycarp, a disciple of John, martyred in his 90's. The government planned to kill this aged man by burning him at the stake.
As the fagots were gathered around him, the executioner said, "I hate to see an old man die. Just recant Christ and we'll set you free. Then you can live your last days in peace."
Polycarp said, "For over eighty years I have served my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Not once has He denied me. I shall not deny Him."
The executioner said, "The fire will be hot." Polycarp said, "Not nearly as hot as the fire you'll experience!" The executioner lit the fagot. At first the flames leaped up around Polycarp but
didn't touch his body. Seeing this, the executioner took a spear and thrust him through. The blood that poured out extinguished the fire.
The Christians took his body and gave him a Christian burial.
It is significant, in a church whose members should suffer persecution and tribulation and have many martyred, that even the bishop of the church was put to death. The early leader was not above the people he ministered to; he shared in the trials and sufferings with his flock.
Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive (Revelation 2:8).
Because they were to be martyred, Jesus is reminding these Christians of His triumph over death. "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). Jesus said, "Because I live, ye shall live also" (John 14:19).
By reminding them of His triumph over death, He's giving them courage and strength for the hour when they would be facing death.
To the church at Smyrna John was told to write: "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)" (Revelation 2:9).
This is in contrastto the church of Laodicea that said, "We are rich," but Jesus said, "You're poor." The estimate of ourselves is one thing, but His estimate of us is far different.
The estimate of the church of Smyrna of themselves was that of poverty. Jesus said, "Thou art rich." "Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith?" (James 2:5).
"I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan" (Revelation 2:9).
Most of the persecution that came in the early church was instigated and inspired by the Jews. Wherever Paul went, the Jews followed him and stirred up agitation in each city against him.
The term "Jew" refers to one who practices Judaism. It isn't a nationality. You can actually proselyte and become a Jew, that is, a worshiper of God through Judaism.
Some Jews were claiming to be worshipers of God but they were not. They had their synagogues, but Jesus said of them that they were the synagogues of Satan.
The Jews said to Jesus, "We are of our father Abraham. Who your father is nobody knows." Jesus said, "If your father were Abraham, then you would have believed in me, for Abraham testified of me." Jesus said, "You are of your father
the devil, and you do his works" (John 8:31-47).
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