Letters to Smyrna and Pergamum

( The following is an outline of notes from the Bible study on the evening of January 17, 2007.)

Review:

Remember that each letter is to a church with a unique context, each having specific strengths and weaknesses. These churches were challenged to make course corrections and believers were challenged toward endurance. Generally, the letters follow the pattern of rebuke, invitation, affirmation, promise.

Part One: Letter to Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11

1. Location: Located approximately 40 miles due north of Ephesus, Smyrna is considered one of the most beautiful and wealthiest cities in Asia, Smyrna was home to magnificent temples built to the Greek deities Apollo, Aphrodite, and Zeus. Smyrna was the hometown of Homer. Touted as a city that was entirely loyal to Rome, Cicero notes in that Smyrna was always faithful to their treaties and alliances. Some believe that the city is among the first to practice emperor worship. Ironically or providentially, scholars believe Smyrna is the oldest continual Christian witness in the church.
2. Rebuke: There is no harsh rebuke. There is a gentle reprimand for them not to feel inferior in the face of Greek culture. You (the church) think of yourself as poor, but you are rich in Christ.
3. Invitation: “Do not fear…be faithful unto death.” (Note the biography of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who courageously made a public affirmation of faith which led to his execution).
4. Affirmation: “The crown of life is yours.” This is a reminder is that the reward of faithful endurance is to experience life, eternally, as God intended.
5. Promise: You are secure from the second death. “Second death” is a rabbinic phrase used only in Revelation. The second death refers to separation from the eternal life prepared in Christ. It is specifically referenced in this drama as a casting into the lake of fire.

Part Two: Letter to Pergamum Revelation 2:12-17

1. Location: Located 45 miles north of Smyrna, Pergamum was the ancient capital of Asia. It was a cultural center that exceeded both Ephesus and Smyrna. A library, second in size only to the one in Alexandria, Egypt was located in Pergamum. The library contained over 200,000 volumes, remarkable in a world where books were written and copied by hand. Noted for Caesar worship, the city had a temple built 30 years before Christ, dedicated to the deity of Caesar Augustus. The term, “Satan’s temple” in v. 13 could refer to Caesar’s temple or to the statue to Zeus, a statue 20 feet high and 90 feet wide.
2. Rebuke: You have tolerated some who are like Balaam, stumblingblocks who lead others into idolatry or sexual immorality, and you have those among you who follow the Nicolaitans, trying to separate soul and body, or belief and action.
3. Invitation: Repent! Cease your toleration of these who advocate acts of idolatry. Don’t give room for these errant beliefs that accommodate a lustful lifestyle.
4. Affirmation: I know your name (reputation) and that you have remained true (or faithful) in spite of the severe persecution, even the death of Antipas (an early martyr).
5. Promise: I will give to you hidden manna…bread from heaven…the bread of life. You do not need to eat bread offered to idols. (There was a notion that manna would fall from heaven during the messianic age.) I will give you a white stone with a new or secret name. White stones were symbols of hospitality and friendship, signs of God’s favor and blessing. God gave a new name to represent the strengthening or the transformation of character.

Concluding remarks:
Each church is challenged to be faithful in seasons of prosperity and adversity.
All Christian churches are to encourage and demonstrate strong moral values.
Listen for the voice of the spirit speaking to us as a church, not just me as an individual.