3 Smyrna – The Suffering Church
We know little to nothing of ‘underground’ churches … until they emerge from hiding. We wondered about the spiritual ‘health’ of the church in the USSR for years. When the iron grip Russia held on its own was finally relaxed, when in Germany the curtain came down, only then did we begin to hear stories … magnificent stories and evidence of a healthy and thriving church.
Persecution has had (and still has) a purifying effect on believers and on the church. Scripture bears this out.
Ro 5:3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; (4) perseverance, character; and character, hope. (5) And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
1Pe 5:10 ¶ But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect (complete), establish, strengthen, and settle you.
… to the angel of the church at Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11
This church is known as The suffering church
We will discover some rather interesting things about this church. Scripture does not say that it was ‘planted’ by Paul, but it probably was. The following verse is describing part of his ministry while in Ephesus.
Ac 19:10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
Smyrna is situated only 40-50 miles north of Ephesus. (note- what amazes me is the fact that churches can be so different from one another, yet existing so near to each other. The Ephesus church was losing their first love for Jesus … not handling persecution and opposition well. Here we find Smyrna, a very persecuted church, but very spiritually healthy. Further around the circuit and we will find a church totally given over to ‘the good life’.)
Why were they suffering persecution … and why more so than the other six churches?
There are three reasons for their persecution.
To answer this it is helpful to know a little more about the city.
Smyrna; The name means myrrh. The city still exists (now known as Ismir, Turkey). It is very old, having been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. It has one of the finest harbours in the world, reaching in about 35 miles. Today the population is about 300,000.
In early history the city contained worshippers of many pagan gods. Temples and shrines were built for their worship. A temple was built in 195 BC (it would be close to 300 years old in John’s time) called Dea Roma. (This translates to God Rome.) Rome had been personified as a goddess.
In 26 AD Smyrna won out over other area cities for the honor of building a temple to emperor Tiberius, the second Asian temple to that emperor, and from then on it became a center for emperor worship.
Smyrna was famous for science and medicine. It vied with Ephesus and Pergamum for the title "first city of Asia." Strabo called it "the most beautiful of all" cities and praised its excellent street plan. The Golden Street, connecting the temples of Zeus and Cybele, is said to have been the best in any ancient city. On the slope of Mount Pagos, the city's broad acropolis, was a 20,000 seat theater.[1]
The First reason for their persecution: Smyrna had unique connection with Rome. At this point in history it had become the main center in Asia to worship Rome without actually having to go there.
Emperor worship became mandatory in Smyrna.
"The opposition to the new religion [Christianity] came rather from the people
"The opposition to the new religion [Christianity] came rather from the people than from the state. The magistrates were often men of culture and tolerance; but the mass of the pagan population resented the aloofness, superiority, and certainity of the Christians, and called upon the authorities to punish these 'atheists' for insulting the gods...From the time of Nero Roman law seems to have branded the profession of Christianity as a capital offense; but under most of the emperors this ordinance was enforced with deliberate negligence. If accused, a Christian could usually free himself by offering incense to a statue of the emperor; thereafter he was apparently allowed to resume the quiet practice of his faith. Christians who refused this obeisance might be imprisoned, or flogged, or exiled, or condemned to the mines, or, rarely, put to death.
"At Smyrna the populace demanded of the 'Asiarch' Philip that he enforce the law; he complied by having eleven Christians executed in the amphitheater (155). The bloodthirst of the crowd was aroused rather than assuaged; it clamored for the death of Bishop Polycarp, a saintly patriarch of 86 years, who was said in his youth to have known St. John."
(Story of Civilization: Caesar and Christ, Will Durant)
I was unable to find the actual source of the following information but many different commentators refer one of the requirements of emperor worship being the practice of offering (even a pinch of) incense annually and receiving a certificate stating your allegiance to Caesar. It was also required for a person to say orally, “Caesar is Lord”.
With Caesar worship being mandatory and having to carry a ‘certificate’ with them, Christians were not meeting openly. As in other cities, the ‘church’ was made up of many house churches. The only difference being the degree of secrecy and caution they would have to employ. As we read earlier, the enemy was the people … more than the authorities.
The second reason for the persecution
The people were a mix of heathens … worshipping a number of pagan gods (in addition to Caesar) Several large temples had been erected for worship. Christians spoke out against paganism. Pagans reacted by calling on Rome to enforce the ‘worship Caesar’ law, knowing it would be the Christians who would be affected by it.
The third reason for the persecution
The Jews were also ‘certificate carrying’ citizens. They valued their lives more than making an issue of a little incense and a certificate, and so they capitulated the Roman demands. The Jews, too hated the Christians and saw mandatory Caesar worship as an answer to get rid of them.
And so, wanting to destroy the Christian faith, the Jews went to the Romans to report the Christians, so that they might lose their lives.
Jesus says the Jews belong to the synagogue of Satan. This is very strong language.
Jesus came unto ‘His own’ and they did not receive Him. He wept for them.
When the Jews rejected Jesus, He said to them, “Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’" Lu 13:35
Jesus says “They say they are Jews, but they are not”. What did He mean? Were they not physical Israel? Yes, they were Jews in that sense, but not in the sense that Paul gives us.
Romans 2:28, "He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, he is a Jew who is one inwardly."
So the Jews joined the heathen to pressure Rome to force Christians stop claiming that Jesus is the only way.
If you were part of our recent study in Acts you are very familiar with the hostility of the Jews toward Christ and the church.
Who was the ‘angel’ or messenger of the church of Smyrna?
Ignatius, shortly before his martyrdom, wrote a letter in AD 108 to Polycarp, calling him bishop (pastor) of Smyrna and we have access to that letter even today. Polycarp was a disciple of John, and according to history, was martyred at 86 years of age in AD 153. Polycarp was very likely the ‘messenger’ of the church to whom this letter is addressed.
As regards the teacher of this church, most of the ancient writers call him Polycarp, and say, that he was a disciple of the apostle John, inasmuch as he had heard John preach the Word of God, and had associated with those who had known the Lord Jesus Christ personally, and had had intercourse with him; and that John had appointed him bishop or overseer of the church at Smyrna[1].
… Just for reference, during the two years that John was on Patmos, Timothy was stoned to death (AD 97) by the heathen as he preached against their idolatry. He served in Ephesus as pastor for about fifteen years. Timothy would have been the one leading the church when Jesus is saying that it (part of it, at least) had left its first love.
Re 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
They were suffering now. More suffering is on the way.
What is this ‘ten days’ of persecution?
This could be looked at a several different ways. No biblical commentator that I read had anything definite to say about it. So what does it mean?
- Persecution does not and will not last forever. It has an end.
- Perhaps there were a few prison sentences that were exactly ten days, … or
- When you get sentenced, you won’t be in there long. It will all be over before you know it.
We have an account of the death of their pastor, and although it did not happen until 50 or so years later, I think it can give us some personal connection with this church.
-Regarding the death of Polycarp:
It is stated, that three days before he was apprehended and sentenced to death, he was suddenly overcome by sleep, in the midst of his prayer, and while dreaming, had a vision, in which he saw the pillow on which he lay with his head, suddenly taking fire and was consumed. Instantly awakened thereby, he concluded that he was to be burnt for the name of Christ.
When those who sought to apprehend him, had approached very close, his friends endeavoured to conceal him, and, therefore, brought him to another country-seat, where he was nevertheless shortly afterwards discovered by his persecutors. For they had seized two lads, whom they, by scourging them, compelled to say where Polycarp was; and although, from the chamber in which he was, he might easily have made his escape into another house near by, he would not do it, but said "The will of the Lord be done." He therefore descended the stairs, to meet his persecutors, whom he received so kindly, that those who had not known him before, regretfully said,"What need had we to make so great haste, to apprehend such an old man."
Polycarp immediately had a table spread for his captors, .and affectionately urged them to eat; begging of them to allow him an hour's time in which to pray undisturbedly in quiet, while they were eating; which they granted him. When he had finished his prayer, and the hour was up, in which he had reflected upon his life, and commended the church of which he was teacher, unto God and his Saviour, the bailiffs placed him upon an ass, and led him to the city, on the Sabbath of the great feast.
Nicetes and his son Herod, called the prince of peace, rode out to meet him, took him from the ass, and made him sit with them in their carriage, seeking in this manner to induce him to apostatize from Christ, saying, "What matters it for you to say, Lord Emperor, and to offer sacrifice or incense before him, to save your life." At first, Polycarp made no reply at all, but when they persisted in asking him, and demanded an answer, he finally said, "I shall never do what you request and counsel me to do." When they saw that he was immovable in his faith, they commenced to revile him, and, at the same time, thrust him out of the carriage, so that in falling he severely injured his leg. He never showed, however, that he had been injured by the fall, but, as soon as he had risen, willingly surrendered himself again into the hands of the bailiffs, to be led further to the place of execution, walking as rapidly as though nothing hindered him.
As soon as Polycarp had entered the circus or amphitheatre, where he was to be executed, a voice came to him from heaven, saying,"Be strong, O Polycarp! and valiant in thy confession, and in the suffering which awaits thee." No person saw the one from whom this voice proceeded, but many of the Christians that stood around heard it; however, on account of the great commotion, the greater part of the people could not hear it. It nevertheless tended to strengthen Polycarp and those who had heard it.
The Stadtholder admonished him to have .compassion for his great age, and, by swearing by the Emperor's fortune, to deny Christ. Thereupon Polycarp gave the following candid reply,"I have now served has never done me any harm. How can I deny my King, who hath hitherto preserved me from all evil, and so faithfully redeemed me?"
Thereupon the Stadtholder threatened to have him torn by wild beasts, if he would not desist from his purpose, saying, "I have the beasts ready, before whom I shall cast thee, unless thou become converted betimes." Polycarp answered unterrified, "Let them come, for my purpose is un changeable. We cannot be converted or perverted from good to evil by affliction; but it would be better, if they (the evildoers) who persist in their wickedness would become converted to that which is good." The Stadtholder replied, "If thou art not yet sorry, and despisest the wild beasts, I shall have thee burned with fire." Once more Polycarp answered, saying, "Thou threatenest me with a fire, which will perhaps burn for an hour, and then soon go out; but thou knowest -not the fire of the future judgment of God, which is prepared and reserved for the everlasting punishment and torment of the ungodly. But why delayest thou? Bring on the beasts, or the fire, or whatever thou mayest choose: thou shalt not, by either of them, move me to deny Christ, my Lord and Saviour."
Finally, when the people demanded his death, he was delivered by the Stadtholder to be burned. Instantly there was brought together a great heap of wood, fagots, and shavings. When Polycarp saw this, he undressed himself, and took off his shoes, in order to be laid on the wood without any clothes. This being done, the executioners were about to lay their hands on him, to nail him on the wood; but he said, "Let it be so; He that hath given me strength to endure the pain of the fire, will also strengthen me to remain still in the fire, though you nail me not to the firewood. They, accordingly, did not fasten him with nails, but simply with a rope, tied his hands behind his back. Thus, prepared for a burnt offering, and placed upon the wood like a sacrificial lamb, he prayed to God, saying, "O Father of Thy beloved and blessed Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the saving knowledge of Thy holy name; God of angels and powers, and of all creatures, but especially of all the righteous who live in Thy sight, I thank Thee that Thou didst call me to this day and hour, and hast counted me worthy; that I may have my part and place among the number of the holy martyrs, and in the cup of the suffering of Christ, so I suffer with Him, and thus partake of His pains. I pray Thee, O Lord, that Thou wouldst this day receive me, as a fat offering among the number of Thy holy martyrs, ever as Thou alone, O God of truth, who canst not lie didst prepare me thereto, and didst make it known unto me, yea, hast now ultimately fulfilled it Therefore I thank and praise Thee, above other men, and honour Thy holy name, through Jesus Christ, Thy well-beloved Son, the eternal Higl Priest, unto whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost be the glory, now and forever. Amen."
As soon as he had uttered the last word of his prayer (the word "Amen"), the executioners ignited the wood upon which he was placed; and when the flames circled high above the body of Polycarp, it was found, to the astonishment of everyone that the fire injured him but little, or not at all. The executioner therefore commanded to pierce him with a sword, which was instantly done, so that the blood, either through the heat of the fire, or from some other reason, issued so copiously from the wound that the fire was almost extinguished thereby; and thus this faithful witness of Jesus Christ, having died both by fire and the sword, entered into the rest of the saints, about A. D. 168.
Ten days of persecution.
:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.
Satan and God are in a battle over the reality (strength) of your faith. And Satan has a mission to destroy faith. God will not violate the ‘freedom of choice’ which he gave man in the Garden of Eden, but God will make all kinds of arrangements behind the scenes to have your faith strengthened.
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you( the crown of) life.
John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Extra Study notes. John 15:18-21 is a portion of ‘the Lord’s prayer’. Take time to look it over carefully and then record your comments as the scripture ‘speaks to your heart’.”
According to Jesus, what brings on persecution, what really makes people angry at believers?
To be, ‘chosen out of the world’ causes us to be different in what ways?
Extra Study When responsibilities are completed … privileges are given,
Read verses 26-28 in chapter 2. What principles or concepts do you envision as you compare these verses with the following ones?
Lu 16:10 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Mt 25:23 "His lord said to him, ‘Well [done], good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
[1] http://www.welcometohosanna.com/REVELATION/Smyrna.html
[2] Martyr’s Mirror p. 112
Persecution has had (and still has) a purifying effect on believers and on the church. Scripture bears this out.
Ro 5:3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; (4) perseverance, character; and character, hope. (5) And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
1Pe 5:10 ¶ But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect (complete), establish, strengthen, and settle you.
… to the angel of the church at Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11
This church is known as The suffering church
We will discover some rather interesting things about this church. Scripture does not say that it was ‘planted’ by Paul, but it probably was. The following verse is describing part of his ministry while in Ephesus.
Ac 19:10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
Smyrna is situated only 40-50 miles north of Ephesus. (note- what amazes me is the fact that churches can be so different from one another, yet existing so near to each other. The Ephesus church was losing their first love for Jesus … not handling persecution and opposition well. Here we find Smyrna, a very persecuted church, but very spiritually healthy. Further around the circuit and we will find a church totally given over to ‘the good life’.)
Why were they suffering persecution … and why more so than the other six churches?
There are three reasons for their persecution.
To answer this it is helpful to know a little more about the city.
Smyrna; The name means myrrh. The city still exists (now known as Ismir, Turkey). It is very old, having been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. It has one of the finest harbours in the world, reaching in about 35 miles. Today the population is about 300,000.
In early history the city contained worshippers of many pagan gods. Temples and shrines were built for their worship. A temple was built in 195 BC (it would be close to 300 years old in John’s time) called Dea Roma. (This translates to God Rome.) Rome had been personified as a goddess.
In 26 AD Smyrna won out over other area cities for the honor of building a temple to emperor Tiberius, the second Asian temple to that emperor, and from then on it became a center for emperor worship.
Smyrna was famous for science and medicine. It vied with Ephesus and Pergamum for the title "first city of Asia." Strabo called it "the most beautiful of all" cities and praised its excellent street plan. The Golden Street, connecting the temples of Zeus and Cybele, is said to have been the best in any ancient city. On the slope of Mount Pagos, the city's broad acropolis, was a 20,000 seat theater.[1]
The First reason for their persecution: Smyrna had unique connection with Rome. At this point in history it had become the main center in Asia to worship Rome without actually having to go there.
Emperor worship became mandatory in Smyrna.
"The opposition to the new religion [Christianity] came rather from the people
"The opposition to the new religion [Christianity] came rather from the people than from the state. The magistrates were often men of culture and tolerance; but the mass of the pagan population resented the aloofness, superiority, and certainity of the Christians, and called upon the authorities to punish these 'atheists' for insulting the gods...From the time of Nero Roman law seems to have branded the profession of Christianity as a capital offense; but under most of the emperors this ordinance was enforced with deliberate negligence. If accused, a Christian could usually free himself by offering incense to a statue of the emperor; thereafter he was apparently allowed to resume the quiet practice of his faith. Christians who refused this obeisance might be imprisoned, or flogged, or exiled, or condemned to the mines, or, rarely, put to death.
"At Smyrna the populace demanded of the 'Asiarch' Philip that he enforce the law; he complied by having eleven Christians executed in the amphitheater (155). The bloodthirst of the crowd was aroused rather than assuaged; it clamored for the death of Bishop Polycarp, a saintly patriarch of 86 years, who was said in his youth to have known St. John."
(Story of Civilization: Caesar and Christ, Will Durant)
I was unable to find the actual source of the following information but many different commentators refer one of the requirements of emperor worship being the practice of offering (even a pinch of) incense annually and receiving a certificate stating your allegiance to Caesar. It was also required for a person to say orally, “Caesar is Lord”.
With Caesar worship being mandatory and having to carry a ‘certificate’ with them, Christians were not meeting openly. As in other cities, the ‘church’ was made up of many house churches. The only difference being the degree of secrecy and caution they would have to employ. As we read earlier, the enemy was the people … more than the authorities.
The second reason for the persecution
The people were a mix of heathens … worshipping a number of pagan gods (in addition to Caesar) Several large temples had been erected for worship. Christians spoke out against paganism. Pagans reacted by calling on Rome to enforce the ‘worship Caesar’ law, knowing it would be the Christians who would be affected by it.
The third reason for the persecution
The Jews were also ‘certificate carrying’ citizens. They valued their lives more than making an issue of a little incense and a certificate, and so they capitulated the Roman demands. The Jews, too hated the Christians and saw mandatory Caesar worship as an answer to get rid of them.
And so, wanting to destroy the Christian faith, the Jews went to the Romans to report the Christians, so that they might lose their lives.
Jesus says the Jews belong to the synagogue of Satan. This is very strong language.
Jesus came unto ‘His own’ and they did not receive Him. He wept for them.
When the Jews rejected Jesus, He said to them, “Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’" Lu 13:35
Jesus says “They say they are Jews, but they are not”. What did He mean? Were they not physical Israel? Yes, they were Jews in that sense, but not in the sense that Paul gives us.
Romans 2:28, "He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, he is a Jew who is one inwardly."
So the Jews joined the heathen to pressure Rome to force Christians stop claiming that Jesus is the only way.
If you were part of our recent study in Acts you are very familiar with the hostility of the Jews toward Christ and the church.
Who was the ‘angel’ or messenger of the church of Smyrna?
Ignatius, shortly before his martyrdom, wrote a letter in AD 108 to Polycarp, calling him bishop (pastor) of Smyrna and we have access to that letter even today. Polycarp was a disciple of John, and according to history, was martyred at 86 years of age in AD 153. Polycarp was very likely the ‘messenger’ of the church to whom this letter is addressed.
As regards the teacher of this church, most of the ancient writers call him Polycarp, and say, that he was a disciple of the apostle John, inasmuch as he had heard John preach the Word of God, and had associated with those who had known the Lord Jesus Christ personally, and had had intercourse with him; and that John had appointed him bishop or overseer of the church at Smyrna[1].
… Just for reference, during the two years that John was on Patmos, Timothy was stoned to death (AD 97) by the heathen as he preached against their idolatry. He served in Ephesus as pastor for about fifteen years. Timothy would have been the one leading the church when Jesus is saying that it (part of it, at least) had left its first love.
Re 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
They were suffering now. More suffering is on the way.
What is this ‘ten days’ of persecution?
This could be looked at a several different ways. No biblical commentator that I read had anything definite to say about it. So what does it mean?
- Persecution does not and will not last forever. It has an end.
- Perhaps there were a few prison sentences that were exactly ten days, … or
- When you get sentenced, you won’t be in there long. It will all be over before you know it.
We have an account of the death of their pastor, and although it did not happen until 50 or so years later, I think it can give us some personal connection with this church.
-Regarding the death of Polycarp:
It is stated, that three days before he was apprehended and sentenced to death, he was suddenly overcome by sleep, in the midst of his prayer, and while dreaming, had a vision, in which he saw the pillow on which he lay with his head, suddenly taking fire and was consumed. Instantly awakened thereby, he concluded that he was to be burnt for the name of Christ.
When those who sought to apprehend him, had approached very close, his friends endeavoured to conceal him, and, therefore, brought him to another country-seat, where he was nevertheless shortly afterwards discovered by his persecutors. For they had seized two lads, whom they, by scourging them, compelled to say where Polycarp was; and although, from the chamber in which he was, he might easily have made his escape into another house near by, he would not do it, but said "The will of the Lord be done." He therefore descended the stairs, to meet his persecutors, whom he received so kindly, that those who had not known him before, regretfully said,"What need had we to make so great haste, to apprehend such an old man."
Polycarp immediately had a table spread for his captors, .and affectionately urged them to eat; begging of them to allow him an hour's time in which to pray undisturbedly in quiet, while they were eating; which they granted him. When he had finished his prayer, and the hour was up, in which he had reflected upon his life, and commended the church of which he was teacher, unto God and his Saviour, the bailiffs placed him upon an ass, and led him to the city, on the Sabbath of the great feast.
Nicetes and his son Herod, called the prince of peace, rode out to meet him, took him from the ass, and made him sit with them in their carriage, seeking in this manner to induce him to apostatize from Christ, saying, "What matters it for you to say, Lord Emperor, and to offer sacrifice or incense before him, to save your life." At first, Polycarp made no reply at all, but when they persisted in asking him, and demanded an answer, he finally said, "I shall never do what you request and counsel me to do." When they saw that he was immovable in his faith, they commenced to revile him, and, at the same time, thrust him out of the carriage, so that in falling he severely injured his leg. He never showed, however, that he had been injured by the fall, but, as soon as he had risen, willingly surrendered himself again into the hands of the bailiffs, to be led further to the place of execution, walking as rapidly as though nothing hindered him.
As soon as Polycarp had entered the circus or amphitheatre, where he was to be executed, a voice came to him from heaven, saying,"Be strong, O Polycarp! and valiant in thy confession, and in the suffering which awaits thee." No person saw the one from whom this voice proceeded, but many of the Christians that stood around heard it; however, on account of the great commotion, the greater part of the people could not hear it. It nevertheless tended to strengthen Polycarp and those who had heard it.
The Stadtholder admonished him to have .compassion for his great age, and, by swearing by the Emperor's fortune, to deny Christ. Thereupon Polycarp gave the following candid reply,"I have now served has never done me any harm. How can I deny my King, who hath hitherto preserved me from all evil, and so faithfully redeemed me?"
Thereupon the Stadtholder threatened to have him torn by wild beasts, if he would not desist from his purpose, saying, "I have the beasts ready, before whom I shall cast thee, unless thou become converted betimes." Polycarp answered unterrified, "Let them come, for my purpose is un changeable. We cannot be converted or perverted from good to evil by affliction; but it would be better, if they (the evildoers) who persist in their wickedness would become converted to that which is good." The Stadtholder replied, "If thou art not yet sorry, and despisest the wild beasts, I shall have thee burned with fire." Once more Polycarp answered, saying, "Thou threatenest me with a fire, which will perhaps burn for an hour, and then soon go out; but thou knowest -not the fire of the future judgment of God, which is prepared and reserved for the everlasting punishment and torment of the ungodly. But why delayest thou? Bring on the beasts, or the fire, or whatever thou mayest choose: thou shalt not, by either of them, move me to deny Christ, my Lord and Saviour."
Finally, when the people demanded his death, he was delivered by the Stadtholder to be burned. Instantly there was brought together a great heap of wood, fagots, and shavings. When Polycarp saw this, he undressed himself, and took off his shoes, in order to be laid on the wood without any clothes. This being done, the executioners were about to lay their hands on him, to nail him on the wood; but he said, "Let it be so; He that hath given me strength to endure the pain of the fire, will also strengthen me to remain still in the fire, though you nail me not to the firewood. They, accordingly, did not fasten him with nails, but simply with a rope, tied his hands behind his back. Thus, prepared for a burnt offering, and placed upon the wood like a sacrificial lamb, he prayed to God, saying, "O Father of Thy beloved and blessed Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the saving knowledge of Thy holy name; God of angels and powers, and of all creatures, but especially of all the righteous who live in Thy sight, I thank Thee that Thou didst call me to this day and hour, and hast counted me worthy; that I may have my part and place among the number of the holy martyrs, and in the cup of the suffering of Christ, so I suffer with Him, and thus partake of His pains. I pray Thee, O Lord, that Thou wouldst this day receive me, as a fat offering among the number of Thy holy martyrs, ever as Thou alone, O God of truth, who canst not lie didst prepare me thereto, and didst make it known unto me, yea, hast now ultimately fulfilled it Therefore I thank and praise Thee, above other men, and honour Thy holy name, through Jesus Christ, Thy well-beloved Son, the eternal Higl Priest, unto whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost be the glory, now and forever. Amen."
As soon as he had uttered the last word of his prayer (the word "Amen"), the executioners ignited the wood upon which he was placed; and when the flames circled high above the body of Polycarp, it was found, to the astonishment of everyone that the fire injured him but little, or not at all. The executioner therefore commanded to pierce him with a sword, which was instantly done, so that the blood, either through the heat of the fire, or from some other reason, issued so copiously from the wound that the fire was almost extinguished thereby; and thus this faithful witness of Jesus Christ, having died both by fire and the sword, entered into the rest of the saints, about A. D. 168.
Ten days of persecution.
:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.
Satan and God are in a battle over the reality (strength) of your faith. And Satan has a mission to destroy faith. God will not violate the ‘freedom of choice’ which he gave man in the Garden of Eden, but God will make all kinds of arrangements behind the scenes to have your faith strengthened.
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you( the crown of) life.
John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Extra Study notes. John 15:18-21 is a portion of ‘the Lord’s prayer’. Take time to look it over carefully and then record your comments as the scripture ‘speaks to your heart’.”
According to Jesus, what brings on persecution, what really makes people angry at believers?
To be, ‘chosen out of the world’ causes us to be different in what ways?
Extra Study When responsibilities are completed … privileges are given,
Read verses 26-28 in chapter 2. What principles or concepts do you envision as you compare these verses with the following ones?
Lu 16:10 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Mt 25:23 "His lord said to him, ‘Well [done], good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
[1] http://www.welcometohosanna.com/REVELATION/Smyrna.html
[2] Martyr’s Mirror p. 112