Rev 1:19-20
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Sunday, I spoke about Ephesus the model church, and the influence of it to the age. There was a local church, and a dispensational age of the church represented. Ephesus was a rebuke to false teaching because of Paul’s teachings.
God uses men, pastor’s and elders in these 7 local churches. There were seven stars or angel messengers to the age. However, it was Christ alone walking in the midst of the churches. Deity – His untiring care. He resents anyone taking this position.
THE PERSECUTED CHURCH - SMYRNA
Rev 2:8-11 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write;
There was a local church in a geographical location, a pastor and the congregation. They had characteristics of the AGE to follow - 200 years. History connected the dots along with inspiration from scripture. The church suffered greatly under the Roman emperors. What is in this age, continues in every age. Irenaeus was the angel messenger to the Church Age, we do not know the local pastors. Men that followed the pattern the closest (the Apostle Paul's teaching was the pattern). God chooses the man.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Smyrna – myrrh, bitter. The persecuted church – the plant crushed to emit its sweet fragrance. They were persecuted, killed for sport in the Colosseums, fed to lions, burned at the stake, and properties taken. They became poor, but rich before God.
“I know” - like a father He looks on their suffering, and does nothing, He knows it is needful. It is all for a purpose, If He did not have a purpose, then He would be the author of frustration and not of peace. His purpose is that after we have suffered awhile we would be made perfect, be established, strengthened and settled. As Job said, “He puts strength I us (Job 23:6).
The more they were persecuted the more they grew. They would not compromise even when it meant death. They influenced others because they had real convictions.
They had to hide in caves and catacombs to worship and fellowship, they were hated and persecuted, because they would not go along with that which was wrong, even though it seemed right.
Adversity is not a sign of God’s displeasure. The fact that people hate you and kill (criticize) you because of truth is part of being a true believer.
Rev 2:9 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.
129-3 SMYRNAEAN.CHURCH.AGE - CHURCH.AGE.BOOK CPT.4
"I know thy poverty." Did you notice that their poverty is linked up with the synagogue of Satan in that same verse? Yes, it is the rich powerful organization that has the wealth and always pushes out the little people that serve God. When the Spirit of God moves in the hearts of men, who is it that leaves the buildings and property? The little flock always loses out to the big organization. And where do the people then go? They worship in homes, old store buildings, and basements, just as they did when they went to the catacombs.
These people were poor in this world's goods. Certainly. But they were rich in Spirit.
"I know their blasphemy." Now it isn't the thought here that these liars are blaspheming God, though that goes without saying. But they are blaspheming the true church. It is always thus. The Jews of Jerusalem blasphemed the church at the beginning. The Gentile polytheists did likewise. If anyone is going to be evil-spoken of, it will always be the true seed. In Nero's day the Christians were blamed for every calamity--even for the burning of Rome. In communist countries the little flock is always the first to be exterminated though actually insignificant in size. Though the Christians are fine loyal people, who do only good, they will always be persecuted to the end that they might be physically destroyed.
The reason this is so, is because they are a rebuke to the godless. Like a sore thumb they stand out before the wicked. And though the righteous intend no harm to the wicked but want to do only good, invariably they find they are embroiled (involved) as was John the Baptist with Herod. For John did not want to harm either Herod or his wife but to save them from the wrath of God. This was not only thoroughly misunderstood and absolutely withstood, but John was put to death because of it. And for all the good the people of God do, they are still put to public shame and to death. Surely there must be some sinister force behind a people who would be so void of conscience that they would return evil to those who did them good. Yes, there is such a force. It is Satan. The answer lies in the next verse. – WMB Exposition of the Seven Church Ages
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."
The true church would not worship the emperor or any other man or system of men (the mark of the beast). They were not a part of the political church systems, and this made the true believer look guilty for not wanting to get along. The true church was not tolerant of other beliefs – Jesus said, “I am the way…” This church is still persecuted.
Polycarp, a great teacher trained by John, was not strongly against this system of organization. He did not realize his desire for fellowship and what appeared like a good plan to foster the work of God was really a trick of the enemy.
LEAVEN AND THE MIXED MULTITUDE
The church and the Church Age has “leaven,” there is a mixed multitude. We do not belong to that which is wrong. “Leaven” makes the bread pretty, Christ is unleavened – no beauty… It is hard to keep the “leaven” out of the church. Mixing creates hybrids. Mixing politics, the world, etc. No redemptions there, the mark of the beast.
The donkey and horse mixed together makes the greatest hybrid, a mule. The mule cannot be redeemed.
We can’t improve on God, by adding something to Him. One Word will make a difference. One person pro or con. The true church will be persecuted for refusing to mix…
To add or take away is to set yourself above the Word, this will produce the church of satan. Rev 2:9 …them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
No redemption once a church or the Age falls into a denomination, it never comes back, it is then mixed with the world and a hybrid.
Pastor Bill Ivy – Living Word Tabernacle, Campbell MO USA