Lesson 12 January 26, 2003
Review:
Rev 2:7b Tree of life!
"I will grant (give in the future, promise) to eat of the tree of life in the Paradise of God."
This speaks here of the reality of eternal life, sharing the life of Christ; maximum blessing and capacity for life for all eternity!
Prov. 3:18; Prov. 11:30; Prov. 13:12
* We are to live our lives today, making decisions, in the light of our eternal future.
Church #2 Smyrna 2:8-11 The Persecuted Church
Intro Observations:
Located about 35 miles north of Ephesus also a seaport.
Was a very prosperous city then as it is now;
200,000 now; modern city of Izmir; still an important commercial center in Turkey.
Smyrna had a reputation for great architecture, science and medicine.
It was dubbed the "golden" city; was considered the crown of Ionia, the ornament of Asia.
It even had paved streets that ran east to west.
The main street was called the "golden street" with temples to Cybele and Zeus at either end and in between were temples to Apollo, Asclepius, Aphrodite.
To this church we find that Christ gave only praise no condemnation!
Smyrna means "myrrh" ; a spice that was used to embalm bodies;
Significance?
1. Character of the Sender; Christ the Eternal One!
a. "The First and the last"
He's saying to them, that they as believers can expect to live again, also by way of resurrection!
b. "Who was dead (became dead, change of state) and has come to life,"
He's saying to them, that they as believers can expect to live again, also by way of resurrection!
* So this presents Christ as the Eternal one in relation to time [first and the last] and the resurrected one in relation to life [was dead and now alive].
2. Commendation: Faithfulness under persecution
* We find here that He knows three important things about this church.
#1 It is a persecuted church.
#2 It is in a state of poverty.
#3 It is the object of slander.
#1. persecution
- Smyrna was the center for Caesar worship in Asia Minor.
- The minimum requirement was to burn some incense on the altar and say, Caesar is
- In 155 AD. the Pastor of the church in Smyrna, Polycarp was burned alive. He was 86 at the time.
His statement: "Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and he has never done me wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?
#2 Their poverty.
The poverty here is clearly material;
*** Being prosperous is having everything you need to fulfill the plan of God for you, what ever it is.
*** The NT completely redefines what is wealth.
Real wealth in life is spiritual not material!!
If you have wealth fine! If you don't fine!! Phil 4:11-13.