02.09. LECTURE No. 9 -- Rev_2:7-11
LECTURE No. 9 -- Revelation 2:7-11
Overcomers to Eat of the Tree of Life Once Again in the Paradise of God - The First Garden - The New Paradise - The Message to the Smyrna Church - Christ Knows and Takes Notice of All That We Do - Jesus Also Knows What Our Enemies Think and Say and Do - A Comforting Promise to Those Who Overcome - The Second Death Defined IN OUR LAST MESSAGE we continued our study of the seven messages to the seven churches, as recorded in the second and third chapters of this book. The first message was sent to the Church at Ephesus, and thus far we have learned that Jesus had both words of commendation and rebuke for that early Apostolic Church.
He commended them for their works and for their patience, and because they could not bear them which were evil, but He rebuked them because they had left their first love. Because of this, He warned them that unless they should repent and do the first works, He would remove their Candlestick.
He further commended them because they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which He said, “I also hate.”
In our last message we explained who the Nicolaitanes were, i.e., that they were a self seeking group within the Church, who sought to divide the Church of God into two groups, known as the CLERGY and the LAITY, and then by self appointed authority, make themselves Lords over God’s heritage. The true Christians at Ephesus hated this spirit of those who loved the preeminence, and who sought to exalt themselves at the expense of others, and Jesus Himself also expressed His hatred of the Nicolaitanes. The Special Promise
Now let us consider the special promise which the Lord gave to the Church at Ephesus. In Revelation 2:7, He said: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
All students of the Scriptures know that in the Garden of Eden, besides the TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, there was also the TREE OF LIFE in the midst of the Garden. Man was forbidden, however, to take of the fruit of the tree, of the knowledge of good and evil.
But we all know full well that Adam and Eve listened to the words of Satan, and disobeyed God, and partook of the forbidden fruit. And because they did this they were judged and driven out of the Garden; for it says in Genesis 3:23-24 :
“Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
What Man Lost From this passage we see that through disobedience man lost his access to THE TREE OF LIFE, and having been driven out of the garden, for nearly six thousand years he has been barred from the tree of life. Death came upon the children of men as God had predicted, and from then until now, in spite of all that men do to preserve health, and to protect their lives from the scourge of disease and disaster, absolutely nothing has been found to take the place of THE TREE OF LIFE to which they had access in the Garden of Eden.
MEDICINE may help to preserve life for awhile, but the time comes when medicine alone is not enough, and men die in a world that is full of medicine. Love and care and the fellowship of our friends are strong influences which surround us and help to preserve our lives for awhile, but none of these things can save a man from death.
Therefore in spite of education, in spite of wealth, in spite of medicines and hospitals, and the aid of skilled physicians, and in spite of the sustaining love and fellowship of friends and loved ones, men die! All of these things are not enough! What man, therefore, is there among us, who would not, if he could, be glad to partake once again OF THE TREE OF LIFE in order that he might LIVE FOREVER! And that my friends, is exactly what Jesus promised in His message to the church at Ephesus. He said:
“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
Such a promise as this, my friends, should serve as an incentive to any man, and cause him to want to be a Christian. For what greater privilege could be offered to any man as a reward for faith in Jesus Christ, and for obedience to the will of God, than that which is offered here.
How History Began
It is interesting to note that the history of man began with man living in the midst of the Garden of Eden, in which was the tree of life, and that THE HISTORY OF MAN WILL END, with man living in the NEW PARADISE in which will be THE TREE OF LIFE, once again.
This is confirmed in Revelation 22:1; Revelation 22:3, where it says:
“And He shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God, and of the Lamb.
“In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there THE TREE OF LIFE, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse; but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve him.”
I am wondering what man there is anywhere who would not enjoy the grand and glorious privilege suggested here; of living in this NEW PARADISE wherein is the tree of life, and in which there is no curse, and where the throne of God is, and where Jesus dwells?
In Revelation 22:14, it says: “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city.” The Message To Smyrna
Now in our study we come next to the message of our Lord to the Church at Smyrna. This is recorded in Revelation 2:8-11, and reads as follows:-
“And unto the angel of the church of Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead and is alive;
“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation TEN DAYS; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
Historical Background
Now before we consider the spiritual significance of this message, let us refer briefly to the geographical location of this Church and to some interesting things concerning it.
Geographically speaking, Smyrna was NEXT NEAREST to the Isle of Patmos, of the seven churches to whom these epistles were addressed. It is interesting to note that it is the only one of the seven places named, which retains anything like its ancient standing. We are told that it is located at the head of a beautiful bay about forty miles northeast of the place where Ephesus used to be. It has a population of about; 120,0000, most of whom are Greeks. We are told that Smyrna was originally founded by Alexander and is claimed as the birthplace of Homer. It was at one time considered THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN ASIA, and was celebrated for its library and its heathen temple, and its sacred festivals associated with pagan worship.
There is no mention made of Smyrna in the Bible except in the Book of Revelation.
It is not known just how or when Christianity was introduced into this city. It is supposed to have been started during Paul’s stay at Ephesus. History confirms the fact that it was here that Polycarp, the Christian martyr, labored, and died for the Lord! We are told also that the hillside of Pagus on which Polycarp was burned, was at one time reddened with the blood of FIFTEEN HUNDRED Christians, and with eight hundred at another time, who died as martyrs because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Polycarp himself was the bishop of Smyrna, and although he took refuge from his enemies in a farm home, they searched him out and arrested him and prepared to kill him. Before they did so, however, they tried in every way to get him to blaspheme the name of Jesus, but he is quoted as having said: “Eighty and six years have I served my Lord, and He has been my truest Friend. How then can I blaspheme Him who shed His blood to wash away my sins?” And thus he died bravely for the Lord when they burned him at the stake, and many brave Christians followed his illustrious example, and died bravely for Christ.
Indeed, my friends, it cost something to be a Christian in those days. The Salutation
Now let us notice how the glorified Lord addressed Himself to those persecuted Christians of this early church. He said, “These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.”
How very striking and appropriate, my friends, that Jesus should have used this particular title, concerning Himself, when addressing these Christians at Smyrna. Jesus used this title, no doubt, to encourage them in their faith and suffering and persecution. Many of them were soon to die as martyrs for the cause of Christ, and as they went to the stake to offer their bodies as a sacrifice to Him, He wanted them to know and to remember that He also died upon the cross for them, and was dead, and that He was alive for evermore!
This was just another way of testifying to them that He was the one who had been crucified and was dead and buried, and who had risen again from the dead!
For them to recognize this great truth would surely impress upon them the divine authority of the one who was sending to them this message, and it would certainly serve to encourage them in their own faith, and make them WILLING TO DIE for Jesus, if necessary.
This was especially needful because the SMYRNA PERIOD of Church history is known as the period of great Persecution, which continued until A. D. 316. During that time many were slain as martyrs for the Lord Jesus Christ.
“I Know Thy Works”
Now let us notice in verse Revelation 2:9 that Jesus said to those Christians of the Smyrna Church,
“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of those which say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”
From His exalted position, Jesus might have said, “I see thy works and tribulation and poverty.” But He did not say that. On the contrary He said, “I know thy works and tribulation and poverty.”
And, my friends, how do you suppose He knew these things? He knew them by actual experience. At the time this message was written, He had become the risen and exalted Christ. But while He was upon the earth, and had lived in Nazareth, and had walked the dusty roads of Galilee, He knew the weariness which comes from toil, and the suffering which comes from persecution or tribulation, and the reproach and pain which belong to poverty.
Therefore to those suffering Christians at Smyrna He could say out of His own experience, “I know thy works, and tribulation and poverty.” But He said to the Christians at Smyrna, “Thou art rich.”
Indeed, my friends, what a comforting statement this was to those poor struggling Christians. It goes to show that Jesus, the exalted Christ, understands THE TRUE VALUE of a man’s life, regardless of His physical circumstances. Truly, my friends, a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesses. We know this is true, but somehow we just don’t act like it.
As a rule the richer a man is in the world’s goods, the more we want to respect and do homage to him, but in the lesson which we are studying just now we discover that JESUS WAS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS!
Those Christians of the Church at Smyrna, apparently were not men and women of wealth, or of social influence. They were poor, and despised and rejected by those about them, and were suffering persecution, and were under reproach. But Jesus who looketh not upon the outward appearance, but upon the heart, loved them as the apple of His eye, and as the chief desire of His heart, and sought to encourage them by saying, “But thou art rich.”
Thus, my friends, does Jesus value the life of a man. Not by what he has, but for what he is!
The Christians at Smyrna were materially poor, but spiritually rich in faith, and in the grace of God.
Personally, my friends, I had rather be financially poor, and live in humble circumstances, if need be for Jesus’ sake, and be SPIRITUALLY RICH, than to be FINANCIALLY RICH and spiritually poor!
Blasphemy
Next let us notice that Jesus said to the Church at Smyrna “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”
This expression which Jesus used here, i.e., “Synagogue of Satan” is interesting and very suggestive. It would seem to indicate that SATAN HIMSELF IS A RELIGIONIST, and that he also has a system of worship which Jesus here called the “Synagogue of Satan.”
Jesus applied this expression to a group of professed believers in the Church of Smyrna, who said they were Jews but were not. No doubt they were a bunch of legalists, who claimed to be followers of Moses. Whatever they were teaching, Jesus called it blasphemy. Apparently, my friends, there is little hope for a blasphemer to be saved. How very sad indeed that this poverty stricken church in Smyrna should have been troubled in any way with a group of blasphemers. No doubt, they were causing the Church plenty of trouble and tribulation.
Fear None Of Those Things In view of these things it is interesting to note that Jesus said in verse Revelation 2:10, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
It is very interesting to note that there were exactly TEN ROMAN EDICTS issued during the second and third centuries for the purpose of doing away with all true Christians. During those awful days many Christians were put to death in the Arena; others were forced to fight with the Roman gladiators, and still others were torn to pieces by the lions, and we are told that some were TIED TO ANT NESTS, after their bodies had been covered with honey, and as we all know many died at the stake at the hands of the wicked Nero! We repeat again that it cost something to be a Christian in those days! A Comforting Promise
Knowing these conditions which existed, Jesus sought to comfort them in their distress by saying, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer.” He also said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Ah, my friends, only a person in authority, and who is alive forevermore, and who is divine, could make such a promise as this, to those who were in danger of being killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
Indeed, my friends, what a coronation day that is going to be, when not only those of the Church of Smyrna, but those in every period of Church history, who have been faithful unto death, are brought into the presence of their Lord, and crowned with a CROWN OF LIFE for having been faithful unto death.
What! Death crowned with life? Yes, indeed, my friends, that is exactly what it says. No doubt that is what the Apostle Paul meant when He said in 1 Corinthians 15:54, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.”
Indeed, my friends, what greater reward, and more blessed crown could the exalted Christ offer to any man for being faithful unto Him? This ought to serve as an incentive for each and every one of us, in our present lot and circumstance, whatever they may be, to press on in faith, looking always unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; for even though we are poor and poverty stricken, and persecuted, and rejected by many, we know that at the end of the way, if we have been faithful even unto death, we shall receive from Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us, A CROWN OF LIFE! The Second Death
Now let us notice the special promise which Jesus gave in the 11th verse (Revelation 2:11) to those Christians at Smyrna. He said: “He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches; he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
Here again in this verse is the same admonition which Jesus gave to the Christians of the Church of Ephesus, i. e., “He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
He knew that they were not all prepared to hear, and to understand the truth which He had just spoken. His admonition, therefore, was also a warning to those who refused to hear and to heed the truth!
Now, I am sure, someone will ask immediately, what is the second death? The promise here is, “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
In John 8:21, Jesus said to the Jews who refused to believe in Him, “I go my way and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.”
Defined The second death, my friends, has to do only with those who die in their sins. It is mentioned and defined in Revelation 20:14-15, where it says, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Also in Revelation 21:7-8 it says: “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be His God, and he shall be My son; But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH.”
Comment and Summary
Now, concerning this subject of the second death, in the Scofield Bible, Dr. Scofield has given to us this very interesting and helpful summary, we quote:
“The Second death” and the “lake of fire” are identical terms (Revelation 20:14) and are used of the eternal state of the wicked. It is “second” relatively to the preceding physical death of the wicked in unbelief and rejection of God; their eternal state is one of ETERNAL “DEATH” (i.e., separation from God) in sins (John 8:21-24).
“That the second death is not annihilation is shown by a comparison of Revelation 19:20, with Revelation 20:10.
“Note: After one thousand years in the lake of fire the Beast and False Prophet are still there undestroyed. The word “forever and forever (“to the ages of the ages”) are used in Hebrews 1:8, for the duration of the Throne of God, eternal in the sense of unending.”
~ end of lecture 9 ~