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Explore Smyrna's endurance during persecution, with lessons on faithfulness, martyrdom, and the kingdom of heaven parables. Discover the Church's resilience amidst adversities from the 100-313 AD era.
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Two Reminders… • All is from the Father: John 17:8 for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, 2. Two major passages of scripture address the Church Age: Matt 13 and Rev 2 & 3 David Tye
The Revelation of Jesus ChristLsn 2b of 22 Chapter 2b, Letter to the Church in Smyrna Rev. 1:3Blessed is he who readsand those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Rev 2&3 Review David Tye
Rev. 2:8-11 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: 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. 10'Do not fear what you areaboutto suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulationten 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 overcomesshall not be hurt by the second death.' David Tye
Smyrna “Myrrh, fragrant” – beautiful; wicked; gospel opposed by pagans; abject poverty; Caesar worship; Polycarp martyred First & Last; dead, now alive Risen Lord Tribulation; abject poverty; blasphemy X do not fear suffering (prison, testing, 10 days of tribulation); be faithful until death X crown of life, Jas 1:12 and 1 Cor 9:25; not hurt by 2nd death Persecuted: 100-313 AD, suffering, seeds of evil enter Tares sowed, left until the harvest David Tye
100-313 AD – Persecuted Church • Explosion of church due to “God fearers” [see next slide] • Rome accepted Jews but persecuted the Church • But Christians wanted to convert the world • Christian way of life condemned the pagans; saints were not conformers • “Love feasts” - Christians accused of immorality, cannibalism, atheism • Decius (249-251 AD) did not kill Christians, but tortured until they denied Christ (did not want martyrs) • Overcomers called “confessors”; later deemed special merit from God that could cover the demerits of others - Sainthood • Deniers called “lapsed” – expelled from church • “Penance” developed to receive lapsed into church; bishops forgive sin • Bishops, presbyters, deacons evolved to “protect the Word” – Ignatius of Antioch • False gospel: • Ebionites – Jesus a man who became Messiah due to obedience • Docetism – “to seem like”, Jesus was not a man • Gnosticism – dualism, emanations of God
Ended Here Oct 5, 2016 David Tye
Christ taught about the “kingdom of heaven” in Matt 13 parables … … to show the progression of the kingdomin the world until the King returns: • Matt 13:3-9 – The sower • Matt 13:24-30 – The wheat and tares • Matt 13:31-32 – The mustard seed • Matt 13:33 – The leaven • Matt 13:44 – The hidden treasure • Matt 13:45-46 – The pearl of great value • Matt 13:47-50 – The drag net Wheat & tares explained David Tye
Matt 13:24-30 “The Wheat and Tares” He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25"But while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. 26"But when the wheat sprang up and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 27"And the slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' 28"And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!' And the slaves said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?' 29"But he said, 'No; lest while you are gathering up the tares, you may root up the wheat with them. 30'Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn." ' " David Tye
Matt 13:36-43 The Wheat and Tares Explained J. Vernon McGee: The world is also getting worse. There are a lot of tares growing. I have been a pastor for a long time. When I began my ministry, I entered a denomination with the idea of cleaning it up. I was the one that just about got cleaned out. I found I could not straighten out my denomination. I was thankful to find out from this passage, and related passages, that my business was to preach the Word. I don't go around pulling up tares anymore because I found that when you pull up tares, you also pull up some wheat with them. But now I know that my business is not to pull up tares but to sow the wheat. Sowing the Word of God is my responsibility. Then He left the multitudes, and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." 37And He answered and said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; 39and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. 40"Therefore just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. 41"The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumblingblocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42and will cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43"Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. David Tye
Question about theological views-- What does this parable say about the postmillennial view of the end times which believes that “evil in its many forms will be reduced to negligible proportions…” David Tye
The Letter to Smyrna • Application — Letter to the Church universal • Application — Instruction to individual Christians David Tye
William Barclay’s take… "In the early Church to be a martyr and to be a witness were one and the same thing. Witness meant so often martyrdom. An early Christian knew quite well what he was doing; as soon as he became a Christian he had made himself liable to death. Here is a rebuke to us. There are so many who are prepared to demonstrate their Christianity in Christian circles, but who are equally prepared to play down their Christianity in circles where Christianity is met with ridicule, with contempt, with indifference or with opposition. The Christian must remember that the word “martus” means equally martyr and witness, and that Christian witness can be, and often must be, a costly thing" (The Revelation of John, Vol.1, p.113f). David Tye
Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. David Tye
Christian persecution reported by Human Rights Reports:www.persecution.org Primary Source of Persecution:A = Government sanctioned B = Government tolerated, but perpetrated by political factions or religious extremists Severity of Persecution against Christians:1 = frequent incidents of violent acts of force, including torture, slavery, expulsion, or the withholding of food and humanitarian aid that frequently cause severe depravation or death. 2 = repeated human rights offenses that occasionally may result in the loss of life and include lengthy detentions, beatings and the confiscation or destruction of property. 3 = numerous violations that include fines, discrimination in education, employment or the electorate process, insufficient legal representation, and restrictions on places of worship. • Africa • Egypt: A-2,3; B-1 • Eritrea • Ethiopia • Nigeria • Sudan • Morocco • Algeria • Asia • Nepal • India • Pakistan • Vietnam • Indonesia • Myanmar • Bangladesh • Sri Lanka • China • Laos • North Korea • Bhutan • Maldives • Uzbekistan • Europe • Belarus • European Union • Latin America • Cuba • Middle East • Afghanistan • Iran • Iraq • Saudi Arabia • Syria • United Arab Emirates • Yemen • Islam • Turkey David Tye
www.persecution.org David Tye
www.persecution.org David Tye
www.persecution.com David Tye
Rev 2&3 Review David Tye
LaHaye & Ice, “Charting the End Times David Tye
The Revelation of Jesus ChristLsn 2c of 22 Chapter 2 – Letter to the Church in Pergamum Rev. 1:3Blessed is he who readsand those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Note: The first three cities were known as “royal” cities. • Ephesus – political center • Smyrna – commercial center • Pergamum – religious center David Tye
Revelation 1:16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. David Tye
Pergamum(Pergamos) Pergamos [per + gamos] = “additional marriage” • Wealthy, college [Chaldean origin] • Many temples; Satan’s throne [vs. synagogue of Satan in letter to Smyrna] • Civic & religious life entwined [all religions!] • Guilds, heathen feasts • Doctrine of Balaam accepted • Doctrine of Nicolaitans accepted • Christianity became popular David Tye
Rev. 2:12-17 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. 15'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war 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, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' David Tye
Rev. 2:12-17 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. 15'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war 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, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' David Tye
The Sharp Two-Edged Sword 2 Timothy 3:15-16…from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Ephesians 6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Isa 11:4 But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; Rev 2:16 'Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. Rev 19:15From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, … Rev 19:21 And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh. David Tye
Rev. 2:12-17 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. 15'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war 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, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' Revelation 8:13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!“ Hebrews 11:13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. David Tye
Rev. 2:12-17 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, Mywitness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. 15'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war 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, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' Matthew 10:32-33 "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. 1 Timothy 4:6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. David Tye
Rev. 2:12-17 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. 15'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war 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, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' David Tye
Rev. 2:12-17 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. 15'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war 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, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' David Tye
What may have happened in the Pergamos church was this: the church... • had baptized some who had never repented and forsaken the ways of the world. • had allowed some of the worldly to teach in the church. • had allowed a mixed membership of believers and unbelievers: some were living separated lives of holiness and sacrificial commitment for the cause of Christ, and others were living worldly lives seeking the pleasures and possessions of this world. • Thus, there were those within the church committing all kinds of sexual sins; and there were those participating in the drunken parties of the world, even to the point of participating in the feasts of idolatrous worshippers • The ‘deeds’ of the Nicolaitans in the curch at Ephesus became the ‘doctrines’ of the Nicolaitans in the church at Pergamos David Tye
Rev. 2:12-17 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. 15'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war 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, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' David Tye
Repent… • needed to deal with those who were worldly and lead them to repentance. • needed to change its practice of accepting people into the church just because they professed Christ. There needed to be evidence of repentance. • needed to discipline those who refused to repent and chose to continue on in their worldly living. • needed to stop conveying a sense of false hope and false security to unbelievers by baptizing them when they made profession without true repentance. • needed to stop allowing the worldly to seduce, deceive, and mislead other believers in the church. David Tye
Rev. 2:12-17 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. 15'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war 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, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' David Tye
Rev. 2:12-17 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. 15'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war 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, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' David Tye
Rev. 2:12-17 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: John 6:32-35 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. 33"For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world." 34Then they said to Him, "Lord, always give us this bread." 35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. 15'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war 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, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' David Tye
Pergamum313-500 AD – Compromising Church • 312 AD, Constantine conquered Rome under the sign of the Cross • Favored Christianity, Sunday a holiday, no crucifixions • Ruled Christian bishops as he did his civil servants • Church moves from only convicted believers to now include politically ambitious • Decline in Christian commitment • Heresies about Christ arise – 350 to 451 AD -> Councils • Nicaea 325 – Christ fully divine • Constantinople 381 – Christ fully human • Ephesus 431 – Christ a unified person • Chalcedon 451 – Christ fully human and divine in one person
Pergamum313-500 AD – Compromising Church • Doctrine of the Trinity developed during this age • Latin word ‘persona’ did not mean ‘person’ as today; but referred to the the actor’s mask. • As used in doctrine it meant that in the Trinity are “three personal disclosures of Himself.” • 455 AD Bishop Leo assumed title “PontifexMaximus” • Bishop in major regional town supervised bishop in metropolis; bishop in metropolis supervised bishops in the provincial towns; bishop in province towns supervised new churches in countryside led by priests. • Barbarians join the church by individual conversion; also by king/national conversion and infiltration of traditions [view of Jesus as a war lord]
Thus, Christ taught about the “kingdom of heaven” in Matt 13 parables … … to show the progression of the kingdomin the world until the King returns: • Matt 13:3-9 – The sower • Matt 13:24-30 – The wheat and tares • Matt 13:31-32 – The mustard seed • Matt 13:33 – The leaven • Matt 13:44 – The hidden treasure • Matt 13:45-46 – The pearl of great value • Matt 13:47-50 – The drag net Christendom David Tye
Matt 13:31-32 “The Mustard Seed” He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32and this is smaller than all other seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the AIR come and nest in its branches." David Tye
Pergamum “Additional Marriage” – wealthy; many temples; Satan’s throne; civic & religious life entwined; heathen feasts (guilds); doctrines of Balaam & Nicolaitans accepted, Christianity became popular 2 edged sword Warring Lord Satan’s throne, hold fast My Name, not deny My faith, martyr days teaching of Balaam: idol worship, immorality, teaching of Nicolaitans repent come quickly, war with sword hidden manna, white stone, new name Compromising,: 313-500 AD , Constantine, state church, pagan practices, spiritual compromise Mustard seed, birds of air nest in tree David Tye
Take Away – “What does it mean to compromise?” How do churches compromise today? How do believers compromise? Do you have one foot in the Kingdom and one in the World (“additional marriage”)? What hinders you from living for Christ as Lord in your life? • Idols • Immorality • Passive “laity” David Tye
1 John 5:5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? David Tye