Letters to the Church: Smyrna (The Church part 3)

Smyrna

Revelation 2:8-11

Background

• Smyrna was one of the most prosperous cities in Asia Minor in the 1st Century

• 195 bc Smyrna built a temple to Roma Remember the big idea is faithful witness!

• Smyrna is 1 of 2 of these churches that gets praised and not correction in Revelation.

Jesus’ description (v8)

Poverty and Riches (v9a)

• No health and wealth gospel is being preached to the church in Smyrna

• Some have argued that ptocheia (poverty) is a very strong word for this concept meaning they had literally nothing Who is the true Jew? (v9b)

• Michael Gorman sums this up in READING REVELATION RESPONSIBLY:

o It is likely that some Jews have betrayed their own identity as God’s people (from John’s perspective) by colluding with those possessing economic power (perhaps officials in the trade guilds, the networks of tradespeople similar to modern unions, or in the temples that served also as banks) and/or Roman political officials in persecuting the Smyrnaean church. The economic impact and the potential for legal action have apparently not led any in the church to accommodate. The challenge is to remain fearless and faithful—to trust and obey.

Do not fear/Tribulation for 10 days/ Be faithful unto death (v10)

o Gregory Stevenson- A Slaughtered Lamb, Pg. 118-19:

 In imitation of their Lord, the church in Smyrna is called upon to maintain their faithful witness, even if such witness leads to their deaths because the victory of Christ is achieved through a witness that does not faulter or fade even in the most extreme circumstances. Yet, He assures them, if they share in this part of Christ’s pattern, they will also share in the remainder of that pattern- Christ’s glorified resurrection (The crown of life)… the seven letters transform the concept of victory. If Christ sets the pattern, then our understanding of victory must conform to Christ’s own victory. Christ’s own victory achieved on a cross was not a victory over his Roman oppressors or Jewish enemies, but over the Power of Satan.

Conquers (v11)

Polycarp