SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 1/24/2015 10:06 AM
My Worship Time Focus: Commendation for Smyrna
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Revelation 2:9
Message of the verses: “9 ’I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”
We have already mentioned that there is no condemnation for this suffering church, but Christ does have a wonderful commendation for them and we will look at that today.
In the vision of the Lord Jesus Christ from chapter one and verse fourteen we see that He has eyes of flaming fire, and although this can speak of judgment, it also speaks of Him seeing all that goes on in His church, and what He saw in Smyrna was a church that the world would think was poor, but He states that they are rich, a church that persevered even under great tribulation, a church that Christ had nothing bad to say of.
John MacArthur explains the word “tribulation.” Thlipsis (tribulation) literally means ‘pressure,’ and is the common New Testament word for persecution or tribulation. The church at Smyrna was facing intense pressure because of their faithfulness to Jesus Christ. There were three reasons for that hostility.” We will not take a look at those three reasons, and one of the reasons truly made me sad when I first studied this section by listening to MacArthur’s message on this church.
The first reason we already touched on from our last SD, and that is that the city of Smyrna was a city dedicated to the emperor worship, and all citizens of the city had to once a year worship the emperor at the temple that was built for him in the city. This would not bode well with those who only worshiped the Lord Jesus Christ as their King.
Now the second reason is that believers refused to participate in the pagan religion that also went on in the city. Smyrna was a city full of idols and temples and those who did not worship at these places were noticed as much of the social worship in Smyrna was the worshiping of the false gods in these temples built for them.
The last reason is the one that is hard to swallow for me and that is seen with the following words from verse nine: “the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. As we read the Bible we see how much love and patience that God has for the children of Jacob, how much He did for them in calling them, in forgiving their many sins until He had no choice but to show them His wrath and had them taken out of their country by the Babylonians, but gracious to bring them back into their land only to take them out of their land because they were responsible for the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now the glorified Jesus Christ speaks of the synagogue of Satan in verse nine. This is speaking of Jews who were turning those in the church of Smyrna into the authorities for the worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. MacArthur writes “Unbelieving Jews commonly accused Christians of cannibalism (based on a misunderstanding of the Lord’s Supper), immorality (based on a perversio
n of the holy kiss with which believers greeted each other; cf. Rom 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26), breaking up homes (when one spouse became a Christian and the other did not, it often caused conflict; cf. Luke 12:51-53), atheism (because, as already noted Christians rejected the pagan pantheon of deities), and political disloyalty and rebellion (because Christians refused to offer the required sacrifices to the emperor). Hoping to destroy the Christian faith, some of Smyrna’s wealthy, influential Jews reported these blasphemous, false allegations to the Romans. These haters of the gospel were a synagogue of Satan, meaning they assembled to plan their attack on the church, thus doing Satan’s will. They may have claimed to be a synagogue of God, but they were just the opposite.” As one reads through the book of Acts they will find that this was a great problem as Jews would not listen to the truth of the gospel, turned it down and then began to persecute the young church.
The following quote is found in John MacArthur’s commentary, but is from a second century document entitled The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna Concerning the Martyrdom of the Holy Polycarp.
“The whole multitude, marveling at the nobility of mind displayed by the devout and godly race of Christians, cried out, ‘Away with the Atheist; let Polycarp be sought out!’
“But the most admirable Polycarp, when he first heard [that he was sought for], was in no measure disturbed, but resolved to continue in the city. However, in deference to the wish of many, he was persuaded to leave it. He departed, therefore, to a country house not far distant from the city. There he stayed with a few [friends], engaged in nothing else night and day than praying for all men, and for the Churches throughout the world, according to his usual custom. And while he was praying, a vision presented itself to him three days before he was taken; and, behold, the pillow under his head seemed to him on fire. Upon this, turning to those that were with him, he said to them prophetically, ‘I must be burnt alive.’
“And when those who sought for him were at hand, he departed to another dwelling, whither his pursuers immediately came after him. And when they found him not, they seized upon two youths [that were there], one of whom, being subjected to torture, confessed. It was thus impossible that he should continue hid, since those that betrayed him were his own household. The Irenarch then (whose office is the same as that of the Cleronomus). By name Herod, hastened to bring him into the stadium. [This all happened] that he might fulfill his special lot, being made a partaker of Christ, and that they who betrayed him might undergo the punishment of Judas himself.
“His pursuers than, along with horsemen, and taking the youth with them, went forth at supper-time on the day of the preparation, with their usual weapons, as if going out against a robber. And being come about evening [to the place where he was], they found him lying down in the upper room on a certain little house, from which he might have escaped into another place; but he refused, saying, ‘The will of God be done.’ So when he heard that they were come, he went down and spake with them. And as those that were present marveled at his age and constancy, some of them said, ‘Was so much effort made to capture such a venerable man?’ Immediately then, in that very hour, he ordered that something to eat and drink should be set before them, as much indeed as they cared for, while he besought them to allow him an hour to pray without disturbance. And on their giving him leave, he stood to and prayed, being full of grace of God, so that he could not cease for two ful hours, to the astonishment of them that he
ard him, insomuch that many began to repent that they had come forth against so godly and venerable an old man.
“Now, as soon as he ceased praying, having made mention of all that had at any time come in contact with him, both small and great, illustrious and obscure, as well as the whole Catholic Church throughout the world, the time of his departure having arrived, they set him upon an ass, and conducted him into the city, the day being that of the great Sabbath. And the Irenarh Herod, accompanied by his father Nicetes (both riding in a chariot), met him and taking him up into the chariot, they seated themselves beside him, and endeavored to persuade him, saying, ‘What harm is there in saying, Lord Caesar, and in sacrificing, with the other ceremonies observed on such occasions, and so much sure of safety?’ But he at first gave them no answer; and when they continued to urge him, he said, ‘I shall not do as you advise me.’ So they, having no hope of persuading him, began to speak bitter words upon him, and cast him with violence out of the chariot, insomuch that, in getting down from the carriage, he dislocated h
is leg [by the fall]. But without being disturbed, and as if suffering nothing, he went eagerly forward with all haste, and was conducted to the stadium, where the tumult was so great, that there was not possibility of being heard.
“Now, as Polycarp was entering into the stadium, there came to him a voice from heaven, saying, ‘Be strong, and show thyself a man, O Polycarp!’ No one saw who it was that spoke to him; but those of our brethren who were present headed the voice. And as he was brought forward, the tumult became great when they heard that Polycarp was taken. On hi confessing that he was, [the proconsul] sought to persuade him to deny [Christ], saying, ‘Have respect to thy old age, ‘ and other similar things, according to their custom, [such as], ‘Swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent, and say, Away with the Atheists.’ Polycarp declared, Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?’ And when the proconsul yet again pressed him, and said, ‘Swear by the fortune of Caesar,’ he answered ‘Since thou art vainly urgent that , as thou sayest, I should swear by the fortune of Caesar, and pretendest not to know who and what I am, hear me declare with boldne
ss, I am a Christian. And if you wish to learn what the doctrines of Christianity are, appoint me a day, and thou shalt hear them.’ The proconsul replied, ‘Persuade the people.’ But Polly carp said, ‘To thee I have thought it right to offer an [of my faith]; for we are taught to give all due honor [which entails no injury upon ourselves) to the powers and authorites which are ordained of God. But as for these, I do not deem them worthy of receiving any account from me.’ The proconsul then said to him, ‘I have wild beasts at hand; of these will I case thee, except thou repent.’ But he answered, ‘Call them then for we are not accustomed to repent of what is good in order to adopt that which is evil; and it is well for me to be changed from what is evil to what is righteous.’ But again the proconsul said to him, ‘I will cause thee to be consumed by fire, seeing thou despises the wild beasts, if thou wilt not repent.’ But Polycarp said, ‘Thos threatenest me with fire which burneth for an hour, and after a
little is extinguished, but art ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. But why tarriest thou? Bring forth what thou wilt.’
“While he spoke these and many other like things, he was filled with confidence and joy, and his countenance was full of grace, so that not merely did it not fall as if troubled by the things said to him, but, on the contrary, the proconsul was astonished, and sent his hearld to proclaim in the midst of the stadium thrice, ‘Polycarp has confessed that he is a Christian. This proclamation having been made by the herald, the whole multitude both of the heathen and Jews, who dwelt at Smyrna, cried out with uncontrollable fury, and in a loud voice, ‘This is the teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, and the overthrower of our gods, he who has been teaching many not to sacrifice, or to worship the gods.’ Speaking thus, they cried out, and besought Philip the Asiarch to let loose a lion upon Polycarp. But Philip answered that is was not lawful for him to do so, seeing the shows of wild beasts were already finished. Then it seemed good to them to cry out with one consent, that Polycarp should be burnt a
live. For thus it behooved the vision which was revealed to him in regard to his pillow to be to be fulfilled, when, seeing it on fire as he was praying, he turned about and said prophetically to the faithful that were with him, ‘I must be burned alive.’
“This, then, was carried into effect with greater speed than it was spoken, the multitudes immediately gathering together wood and fagots out of the shops and baths; the Jews especially, according to custom, eagerly assisting them in it. And when the funeral pile was ready, Polycarp, laying aside all his garments, and loosing his girdle, sought also to take off his sandals,—a thing he was not accustomed to do, inasmuch as every one of the faithful was always eager who should first touch his skin. For, on account of his holy life, he was, even before his martyrdom, adorned with every kind of good. Immediately then they surrounded him with those substances which had been prepared for the funeral pile. But when they were about also to fix him with nails, he said, ‘Leave me as I am; for He that giveth me strength to endure the fire, will also enable me, without your securing me with nails, to remain without moving in the pile.’
They did not nail him then, but simply bound him. And he, placing his hands behind him, and being bound like a distinguished ram [taken] out of a great flock for sacrifice, and prepared to be an acceptable burnt-offering unto God, looked up to heaven, and said, ‘O Lord God Almighty, the Father of thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of Thee, the God of angels and powers, and of every creature, and of the whold race of the righteous who live before thee, I give Thee thanks that Thou hast counted me, worthy of this day and this hour, that I shoud have a part in the numberof They martyrs, in the cup of thy Christ, to the resurrection of eternal life, both of soud and body, through the incorruption [imparted] by the Holy Ghost. Among whom may I be accepted this day before Thee as a fat and acceptable sacrifice, according as Thou, the ever-truthful God, as fore-ordained, has revealed beforehand to me, and now has fulfilled. Wherefore also I praise Thee for all things
, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, They beloved Son, with whom, to Thee, and the Holy Ghost, be glory both now and to all coming ages. Amen.’
“When he pronounced this amen, and so finished his prayer, those who were appointed for the purpose kindled the fire. And as the flame blazed forth in great fury, we, to whom it was given to witness it, beheld a great miracle, and have been preserved that we might report to others what then took place. For the fire, shaping itself into the form of an arch, like the sail of a ship when filled with the wind, encompassed as by a circle the body of the martyr. And he appeared within not like flesh which is burnt, but as a bread that is baked, or as gold and silver from the glowing in a furnace. Moreover, we perceived such a sweet order [coming from the pile], as if frankincense or some such percious spices had been smoking there.
“At length, when those wicked men perceived that his body could not be consumed by the fire, they commanded an executioner to go near and pierce him through with a dagger. And on his doing this, there came forth a dove, and a great quantity of blood, so that the fire was extinguished; and all the people wondered that there should be such a difference between the unbelievers and the elect, of whom this most admirable Polycarp was one, having our own times been an apostolic and prophetic teacher, and bishop of the Catholic Church which is in Smyrna. For every word that went out of his mouth either has been or shall yet be accomplished.”
I suppose that this was the longest quote that I have ever written on my Spiritual Diaries, but thought it necessary to add to this one seeing that the situation that the world is in may need to hear of a man who went through what many are going through in our world every day.
Smyrna was a church that to the world seemed poor, but through the eyes of the all seeing, all knowing glorified Christ was rich. On the other hand Laodicea was a church that the world though was rich, but Christ said it was poor, so much that He would vomit it from His mouth.
Spiritual meaning for my life today: Ever since I became a believer in Jesus Christ as being my Savior and Lord on the 26th of January of 1974 I have had a great love for the nation and people of Israel. This love was not there before for I knew little about Israel, and so when I read things like this as to how the Jews were involved in causing the deaths of many early believer it causes much pain in my heart. My prayer for Israel is the same as Paul’s was that one day all Israel will be saved, and as we continue our study of Revelation we will see the prophetic time when this will happen.
My Steps of Faith for Today: I desire to have a love for the Lord, to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength as I am sure Polycarp had for many, many years before he was killed for the cause of Christ. I desire to understand and appreciate the love that the Lord has for me.
Memory verses for the week: 2 Peter 1:5-9.
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
Answer to yesterday’s Bible question: “John the Baptist” (John 3:30).
Today’s Bible question: “What else is the Mediterranean Sea called in the Bible?
Answer in our next SD.
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