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