Last week we began a brief series of articles based on the character of three main characters. The movie was entitled “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.” We have taken this phrase to use to describe the condition, both the good and the bad, of the churches we study. We use the last part of the phrase, the ugly, to describe the future for most of these churches.
The church at Smyrna and its beginning. We know very little about the beginning of this church. It is highly likely that it began during the three years Paul was at Ephesus, the largest city in Asia and not far from Smyrna. This being true Paul could have been part of this church near its beginning.
The city of Smyrna, one of the most beautiful in that area. It was blessed by having a safe harbor which could provide protection from hostile ships by placing a chain across its entrance. There were many temples with Greek/Roman gods, but in 196 B.C., it erected a temple to the goddess Roma, when Rome was far removed from being a powerful nation. There were many Jews there with their synagogue and they were very hostile toward the early church.
The city of Smyrna, home of Polycarp, a very well-known martyr. There are many details of the death of this man who was faithful to the very end. There was an uproar in the city, and they demanded that Polycarp be publicly executed. Given the choice of cursing the name of the Christ and making a sacrifice to Caesar, He replied, “Eighty and six years have I served Him and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” Then he added, “You threaten me with the fire that burns for a time, and is quickly quenched, for you do not know the fire which awaits the wicked in the judgment to come and in everlasting punishment. Why are you waiting? Come, do what you will.”
The church and the good about it. There is no “bad or ugly” about this church. John, in his letter to the seven churches, mentions tribulations, poverty and blasphemy from the Jewish synagogue. He mentioned another coming that was about to try their faith. They were faithful and Jesus said, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). Jesus realized there were two distinct groups who claimed to serve God. One was a “synagogue of Satan” and the other was the church.
As you read about these churches in Asia, keep in mind that only two of them have nothing bad said about them. The difference? They were serving God amidst great trials, but only two were truly faithful. We need to be faithful to death!