Churches of the New Testament: Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira I. Introduction A. Revelation 1:10-11 B. Have previously examined majority of NT churches 1. Some others exist 2. Crete in Titus; Judea and Samaria in Acts 8; Cyprus, Acts 13, etc. 3. Not much revealed about these churches 4. Instruction given to Titus by Paul seen also elsewhere C. Left with six of the seven churches of Asia Minor 1. John, in Patmos, receives the Revelation 2. Most likely during latter days of Domitian (81-96 CE) 3. First part of Revelation represent letters to these churches D. Let us consider what Jesus says to Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira II. Geography and History A. Smyrna (modern Izmir), Pergamum (modern Bergama), and Thyatira (modern Akhisar) are all part of the ancient Roman province of Asia in modern day Turkey 1. "northern triangle" of churches in Asia Minor 2. Smyrna: 47 mi south of Pergamum, 47 mi southwest of Thyatira 3. Pergamum: 37 mi NW of Thyatira 4. Ephesus: 36 mi S of Smyrna, 81 mi S of Pergamum, 71 mi SW of Thyatira 5. All cities roughly 650-680 mi NW of Jerusalem B. Smyrna, like Ephesus, on Aegean coast 1. Gulf provided an excellent port 2. Major trading center 3. One could travel inland to Sardis, Philadelphia, and beyond on road along Hermus River valley C. Pergamum and Thyatira to the north along the Caicus River 1. Pergamum 15 miles inland, Thyatira even more so 2. Pergamum known for its library and as the first place parchment was used 3. Also known for its numerous pagan temples 4. Altar of Zeus in Temple of Zeus: Satan's throne? (Revelation 2:13) 5. Thyatira known for its trade guilds and dye manufacturing (cf. Acts 16:14) D. History 1. All three cities either Greek colonies or influenced by Greeks 2. Smyrna colonized by 1000 BCE 3. Lydia controlled area around seventh century BCE 4. Mostly controlled by Persia, ca. 530-332 BCE 5. 332 BCE: Alexander conquers area, later controlled by Lysimachus and the "Kingdom of Thrace" 6. When "Kingdom of Thrace" passed on, Attalid kings in Pergamum ruled over area 7. 238-133 BCE 8. Loyal to Rome, enemies of Macedonian Seleucids to south 9. At death of Attalus III in 133 BCE, kingdom bequeathed to Rome 10. Ruled by Rome throughout NT period as province of Asia III. The Founding of Churches in Asia A. No specific information in NT about founding of these specific churches 1. Some believe that Lydia returned to Thyatira, established church there (Acts 16:14, ca. 50-51 CE) 2. Possible, but no evidence for it 3. Only knowable information will come from the founding of the church in Asia B. Founding of Church in Asia 1. Acts 2:10: Jews of Asia in Jerusalem; some likely converted, but exactly where they are from and whatever Gospel promotion they did is unknown 2. Church in Asia really got going during Paul's stay in Ephesus, 55-57 (Acts 19:8-10) 3. Acts 19:10: "all Asia" heard word of the Lord 4. Likeliest scenario like in Colossae: native sons hear Gospel from Paul, believe it, convert, take Gospel back to their own cities C. Regardless, churches established by 90s CE IV. Smyrna: Poverty, Riches, and Tribulation A. All that is known of Smyrna from the NT found in Revelation 2:8-11 1. Church made up of physically poor but spiritually rich persons (Revelation 2:9; cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9) 2. Suffering persecution, especially from Jews (Revelation 2:9) B. Church spoken of in favorable terms 1. Jesus has nothing negative to say of it 2. Warns them about upcoming difficulties, even imprisonment for some (Revelation 2:10) 3. Eternal life is there, however, for those who endure (Revelation 2:10) C. Later evidence 1. Some information about later events 2. Polycarp, associate of John, teacher of Irenaeus, "bishop" of Smyrna 3. Whether considered himself sole or part of collective of elders not known 4. Ignatius wrote letter to church there ca. 115 5. Exhorts them to avoid Gnostic heresy heresies (Ignatius, Letter to the Smyrneans 4-5) 6. Commands them to obey bishop, bishop or delegate must administer Lord's Supper, bishop must be present for a baptism (ibid., 8) 7. Possible negative reaction to such, most likely agreement with it 8. Lamentable, then, that Smyrna goes along with everyone else in the "bishop over elders" error soon after Revelation D. Church in Smyrna, late 90s CE 1. Stable church 2. Jesus has only good things to say 3. Suffering persecution, will suffer persecution 4. Poor in this world, yet rich toward God 5. Later events lamentable 6. First century example, however, encouraging V. Pergamum: Following After Balaam A. Jesus then addresses Pergamum as the one having the "two-edged" sword (Revelation 2:12-17) B. Some positive things 1. Pergamum a difficult place, the "throne of Satan", likely the altar of the temple of Zeus (Revelation 2:13) 2. Brethren have suffered and continue to suffer persecution without denying the faith; Antipas even killed for the sake of Christ (Revelation 2:13) C. Difficult Situations Requiring Action 1. Revelation 2:14-15 2. Some holding "teaching of Balaam": those who advocate the Nicolatian doctrine 3. Balaam a. Numbers 22-24 b. Balak, king of Moab, summons Balaam to curse Israel c. Balaam blessed Israel, did not curse d. Did counsel Balak to induce Israel to sleep with Moabite women, worship Baal of Peor; successful (Numbers 25:1-3, 31:8-16) 4. As Balaam indirectly induced God's people to sin, so do the Nicolatians 5. Nicolatians: sleep with each other's wives per the "example" of Nicolaus 6. Possibility that Nicolatians induce Christians to worship other gods 7. More plausible that the teachings are parallel, not practice necessarily 8. Jesus not ambiguous about what should happen: repent! (Revelation 2:16) 9. Without repentance, Jesus will come and will make war with the sword of His mouth (Revelation 2:16) 10. Not a good situation! D. State of Pergamum, 90s CE 1. Church has many faithful people, holding to the name of Christ 2. Some adhere to Nicolatian view, threaten to leaven the lump (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6, Galatians 5:9) 3. We hope that they followed Jesus' exhortation and repented! VI. Thyatira: The Faithful and Jezebel A. Jesus then turns to the church in Thyatira, divided into two groups B. The Faithful 1. Revelation 2:19: faithful brethren commended for their conduct 2. Love, faith, ministry, patience 3. Opposite of Ephesus, having more works later than earlier (cf. Revelation 2:4-5) 4. Christians told to hold fast to what they have (Revelation 2:25) 5. Promise of Revelation 2:26-28 then given to them C. "Jezebel" and her followers 1. One thing He has against them: they tolerate/suffer "Jezebel" (Revelation 2:20) 2. Said to be a prophetess, inducing brethren to commit sexually deviant behavior and to eat meat sacrificed to idols" (Revelation 2:20) 3. "Known the deep things of Satan" (Revelation 2:24) 4. No connections revealed between her and Nicolatians, or the situation in Pergamum 5. "Jezebel" not likely real name, evoking wife of Ahab, daughter of Ethbaal king of Sidon, inducing all Israel to worship Baal (cf. 1 Kings 16:31) 6. Fate of "Jezebel" sealed: she will be cast on the bed of tribulation, for she refuses to repent (Revelation 2:21-22) 7. Those who follow her will suffer the same fate unless they repent (Revelation 2:22) 8. Otherwise, they will be killed, and Jesus will be magnified (Revelation 2:23) D. Church in Thyatira, 90s 1. Church in Thyatira, then, divided into two camps 2. The faithful brethren who need to keep doing as they have been doing and not tolerating Jezebel et al 3. Jezebel and her followers, who must repent or die 4. We hope that some at least repented! VII. Conclusion A. Three churches, three messages, yet consistent B. Smyrna and Pergamum face outside persecution C. Pergamum and Thyatira have iniquitous brethren within D. All are to remain faithful to God and the errant are to repent E. Churches throughout time have suffered similar difficulties F. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29)! G. Songbook/invitation