Christians are disciples of the Master; they are to learn from and follow Him. Not all who claim to be followers, are. “A tree is known by its fruit.” Matthew 12:33
When persecution comes, these false Christians fold like an Origami butterfly.
The Persecuted Church
Revelation 2:8-11
8 “And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write, ‘These things say the First and Last, who was dead, and came back to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.’”
Smyrna, a harbor city in Western Asia Minor, is now part of turkey. A prosperous city, one of the larger, its harbor made it one of the more important centers for commerce. Myrrh was the city’s major export. In fact, the name “Smyrna” means Myrrh in Hebrew.
A bitter perfume, Myrrh was used in anointing oils, and in embalming; one of the gifts given to Jesus at His birth, and prophetic of His death. Guards offered Him Myrrh on a sponge to deaden the pain of crucifixion. He refused. (Mark 15:23) He must endure the full cup of suffering, to take all ours. Note: The process of bridal purification also used Myrrh. More about the bride later.
Smyrna, the chief city in the region, committed itself to Emperor worship. The Jews, numerous and powerful, worked with the pagans to persecute Christians.
Key: The key to the church of Smyrna is found in verses 8 and 10: “(I) hold the keys to hell and death.”
9 “I know your works, tribulation and poverty (but you are rich) …” The prosperous city of Smyrna proved persecution can make you poor in attitude. (Acts 20:33-35)
9b “… I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” The word Satan used here is the Greek word, Satanas, accuser, slanderer.
The Jews joined with the Emperor worshipers, heathens and pagans to slander Jesus. These Jews slandered the God they professed to worship. Hence, they became the “synagogue of Satan.”
Does this sound familiar? Some so called Christians slander the Master they claim to follow. “Well, he’s only one of many.” “Jesus? A good man and one of the prophets.” “A holy man, but surely not God.” “The bible contradicts itself and cannot be trusted, therefore it cannot be the actual words of God.” “Jesus married Mary Magdalene, the prostitute. Oh, yes- they produced children together.”
The synagogue of Satan will go down with the Antichrist—unless they repent. (Revelation 2:5)
10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.”
Jesus told the church of Smyrna He recognized their persecution. This verse warned of things to come; testing for ten days. Note, this is not the Great Tribulation of revelation 7:14. Remember, ten is the number of trial and testing. Here, ten days is not a particular amount of time, but rather a period where they will be tested.
10b “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
The church’s suffering did not surprise the master. In Matthew 5:11-12 Jesus told His disciples to rejoice in persecution, for their reward would be great in heaven. In like manner, the people persecuted Him and the prophets. Jews targeted many Christians in Smyrna for persecution. This included Bishop Polycarp, whom they martyred in AD 156.
The fact Smyrna means myrrh in Hebrew is no coincidence. The bride was being purified for the Bridegroom upon His second coming. This is a message to the church as a whole. We must be ready to be purified.
“… crown of life.” The crown here refers to a winner’s wreath, not a ruler’s diadem. Winners in the Roman games received the laurel leaf crown; a symbol of festivity and celebration for the victorious.
11 “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”
The second death described in Revelation 21:8, refers to the final judgement and destruction of the wicked when they are thrown into the lake of fire.
Your spirit which God gave you at creation cannot be destroyed or killed in any natural way. Your body will die some day, but only God can destroy spirit beings He created. Our spirit is eternal and will live forever, somewhere. It is our choice as to where. Either eternity in heaven with the Father and Jesus, or in the lake of fire.
Eternity is a long time.
The Polluted Church
12 “And to the angel of the church of Pergamos write, ‘these things say He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicholaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.’”
Biblical historians describe Pergamos, also called Pergamon or Pergama, as given over to idolatry more than all Asia. The city hosted temples to Zeus and Athena, and to Aesculapius, the god of healing. The sick from all over the world came to be healed. Pergamos was also the center for the cult of Emperor Worship. Most of these temples sat on a thousand-foot tall volcanic massif behind the city and covered it with pagan temples. Hence, Satan’s throne, verse 13.
Key: The key to the message to this church is found in verses 12 and 16. “The two-edged sword of My mouth.” The sword of the Word reveals hidden truth. See also Luke 8:17, Hebrews 4:12-13
13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith …”
“I know your works …” The sharp sword reveals the truth. Our works are compared to the Word of God, and shown for true or false. Those done in the flesh are as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) They will be burned as wood, straw and stubble. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)
Let our works not be done out of religion or duty, driven by pride and ego. “By grace are you saved through faith … not of works, lest any should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Works not done through faith will not be accepted. Those done in faith out of love are a different matter. Jesus, the sharp sword, sees our works and what is the impetus for them. Those coming from the heart out of love earn a reward.
“… and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is.” Again, Pergamos contained temples to every god and goddess of the Greeks and Romans. Christians stood against Satan himself. This stand against ungodliness taken by the Church today holds back the coming of the Antichrist. He cannot take over as long as the Church and its light stands against him. One day, in God’s timing, the Church will be taken up (raptured). Without our light, Satan and the Antichrist will take over. More about rapture in Chapter 6.
“And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith …” The Greek word for faith here, pistis, should read “belief in, or faith in Me.” Faith in Jesus and the power of Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our Banner and Defender is the only way to withstand our adversary.
14 “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicholaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.”
In verse 14, “… doctrine of Balaam …” includes an attitude Paul rebuked in Romans 3:8 and 6:1-2. “Shall we continue to sin, that grace may abound? Certainly not!”
Balaam taught two key heresies; eating food dedicated to idols (hard to avoid in the idol capital of the world), and sexual immorality. We discussed the doctrine of the Nicholaitans in the message to Ephesus, Chapter 2 pt 1.
In verse 16, Jesus gives a specific warning to those who hold the Nicholaitan doctrine; Christian, heathen, pagan, et al.
16 “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.”
Remember, the sharp sword represents the Word of God which reveals and lays open secrets. This is not a final battle and judgement, but a specific cleansing of the Church of Pergamum to prepare a spotless bride. Jesus is telling the church and us today to repent, or He, through His word, will expose our sins. “There is nothing secret that will not be revealed …”
Mark 4:22, Luke 8:17
Jesus the Word of God, can pierce the darkest places to reveal the truth. You can’t hide secrets from God.
“… but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13
17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”
The Jews believe when the Messiah descends, manna will descend as well. The event happened two thousand years ago, and they didn’t recognize it. Jesus is the manna. He said, “I Am the bread of life.” (John 6:35) He is telling the church it is better to go hungry, skip the feasts of idols and stick to manna, the bread which supplies real life.
“… white stone …” When ancient juries offered up their decisions, they did it by dropping a small stone in a jar; white for acquittal or innocence, black for guilty. Jesus gives us a white stone. He finds us innocent of all our guilt. Our sins are all expunged; washed away. We can stand righteous before God, the judge.
“… new name …” It was customary to bestow a new name on people who attain new status.
For example: Abram, meaning Exalted Father. God placed His own name (HA, or YA) in the middle of Abram, and he became Abraham, Father of Many Nations. Jacob (Supplanter) became Israel (God Prevails), as the one who began the progression of the Hebrew people. Through Jesus, we receive new status. We are no longer named after our earthly fathers. In the spirit, we are now children of the King. Hence, He gives us a new name to reflect our new status.
How do we receive these benefits? Overcome!