Wednesday, June 19, 2019

"Smyrna: The Persecuted Church” (Pt. 1) (June 19, 2019)


Allen Raynor Weblog: “Smyrna: The Persecuted Church” (Pt. 1)

(June 19, 2019)

 

          Since the inception of Christianity, it has not been unusual for Christ’s followers to experience various levels of persecution.  It has/does range from the relatively minor to the major.  Each of us has probably experienced some level of minor persecution at school, at work, among our family, and among our friends.  In America as a whole, animosity and hostility is being ramped up quickly against Christians.  A few years ago one of the biggest news stories was that of the IRS targeting conservative political groups and also auditing Christian organizations such as Focus on the Family, Samaritans Purse, and The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  Many view this, myself included, as a for-shadowing of things to come.

          Things we are seeing today, at least thus far, pale in comparison with what they were in the days of the early church and even what they are right now in other places around the globe.  Apart from America, where we have been relatively sheltered, there have been more Christian martyrs in recent years than there were during the first century.  According to a study by Regent University, nearly 164,000 Christians worldwide were martyred for their faith in 1999.  In 2000, that number rose to nearly 165,000.  With each passing year, the number of Christians who face death for their beliefs increases.  It has been estimated that since A.D. 70, over seventy million Christians have been put to death for refusing to renounce their faith.

          Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11) came to be known as the “Persecuted Church,” because of the horrible difficulties it faced and also the fact it was addressed the way it was, here in Revelation by the Lord Himself.  Smyrna was an important seaport about 35-40 miles north of Ephesus.  The city received its name from one of its principle products – myrrh.  Smyrna probably goes back to about 3000 B.C.  It was destroyed at one point, and laid in ruins for over 3000 years but was rebuilt in 290 B.C.  It was a noted center of science and medicine according to various writings from the period.  The city was claimed to be the birthplace of Homer, the great epic poet of The Iliad and The Odyssey.   The city is the only one of the 7 churches addressed in chapters 2 and 3 that still exists today.  Today it is the Turkish city of Izmir.

          Jesus’ words are primarily words of comfort to the church in Smyrna.  He had no rebuke like what He did for Ephesus.  This church had power and purity on display.  Persecution had purified and purged it from sin and affirmed the reality of its member’s faith.  John MacArthur writes “Hypocrites do not stay to face persecution, because false believers do not want to endure the pain.  Trials and persecution strengthen and refine genuine saving faith, but uncover and destroy false faith.” (John MacArthur; New Testament Commentary; Revelation 1-11; 68)

          Christ is described to this congregation as “The first and the last, Who was dead, and came to life.” (vs. 8)  “The first and the last” is an Old Testament title for God, used about 3 times in Isaiah. (44:6; 48:12; 41:4)  Christ’s equality and very nature are affirmed as being equal to God the Father.  The “Resurrection” is affirmed as John reminds them Christ was dead but now is alive.  This was a quick and to-the-point reminder of Jesus to help encourage them in a time of suffering and uncertainty.  It is a sort of reminder He is eternal, while their suffering is only temporary.  It is so easy to lose sight of the big picture and get mired down in the cares of the moment and our suffering.  One can easily get bogged down and focus on the details of the moment and forget about nearly everything else.  This is true even of the things we hold most dear.  To illustrate this consider with me that when you are hungry, food may be all that is on your mind.  When you are really sleepy and tired, rest/sleep is about all you can focus on.  When you get really good news or really bad news your mind dwells there and you can hardly think about anything else.  The church at Smyrna had been dwelling on their present suffering/persecution and had not been dwelling upon Christ!

          Jesus offers encouragement for this congregation.  He assures them He knows what they are going through.  He is saying to all of us today “I know what you are going through, and I care.”  Jesus never tries to tell the people at this church, it is not as bad as it seems.  He just tries to help them keep it all in perspective.  Jesus frames their difficulties with hope in the broader picture.

          Jesus knew all about their work, the tribulation they were experiencing, and the physical poverty they were going through.  He reminds them though they are spiritually rich.  The word “tribulation” means “pressure.”  They were under enormous pressure!  In Acts 14:22 we are told “We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God.”  In John 16:33 Jesus spoke “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.”  Every day of our lives we need to remember we have genuine reason to be of good cheer.  It is because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has overcome the world!

 

In Christ,

 

Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor

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