Mon.’s Devo - To the Church in Smyrna

Read Rev. 2:8 A messenger is sent to John to tell him what God wants written to the church in Smyrna. Paul was the messenger of the first church age, and Irenaeus was the messenger of the second church age. Irenaeus was a student of Poycarp who was a righteous follower of Christ. Polycarp was martyred. He was suppose to die by being burned but the flames refused to touch him so they bent away from his body. They then pierced him with a sword and the water that flowed from his body extinguished the flame. Those watching saw his spirit leave his body in the form of a dove. But in all this, he was not militant in opposing the Nicolaitane system so he was not the messenger of the church age. His mentee, Irenaeus was. He stood against the corrupt system of religion and served God with many signs and wonders following his ministry. He taught in the churches in France. He was against organized leadership and stood for a unified, Spirit-filled, gift-manifesting local church. He preached the Godhead being one: the Lord Jesus Christ. The town of Smyrna was north of Ephesus at the mouth of the Smyrna Gulf. Because of its location, it was a commercial center known for its exports. It was also known for its schools. There were many Jews living there who bitterly hated Jesus and his followers. They were the ones who martyred Polycarp. The word Smryna means “bitter” which comes from the word for myrrh. Myrrh was used in embalming. So this was a bitter age full of death. In this city were two famous temples: one to worship Zeus, and the other to worship Cybele. Between these two temples was a road called the Golden Street. This was when Maryolotry began where they glorified Mary, Jesus’ mother. This was also the age that blended church and state for monetary reasons causing the love of money to further apostate the pure gospel. Lord, give us discernment to know the pure gospel from the counterfeit.