Unto the church at Smyrna

On the isle of Patmos, where he was exiled, John the apostle received a revelation from the Lord. He was directed to write down the revelation, in one writing sent to seven recipients (1:1-4). The second of the seven recipients was the church in the city of Smyrna, whose letter we will consider.

Introduction

First, notice some things about the letters to the seven churches of Asia.

There is a general pattern found in the writing of all the letters, divided into seven parts. 

• A Greeting
• A Description
• A Commendation (except for the church at Laodicea)
• A Condemnation (except for the churches at Smyrna and Philadelphia)
• A Warning
• A Charge
• A Promise

The order of the charge and the promise begin with the charge first – in the first three letters – then in the last four the promise is placed first. The order of the letters themselves are in a sort of circular geographical order. Ephesus is the town nearest Patmos, then travel geographically north to Smyrna and Pergamos. Afterward move southeast to Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The symmetrical order of the letters is this:

Ephesus – a church standing on the verge of judgment, candlestick removed.

Smyrna – a poor suffering church not placed under condemnation.

Pergamos

Thyatira

Sardis

Philadelphia – a weak church with an open door.

Laodicea – a church standing on the verge of judgment, spewed out.

If you do not read the text of the letters to the seven churches in the King James Bible (and if you cannot read Greek) you will miss the subtle interplay between the second person singular (thy, thou, thee) and second person plural (you, ye).

Among other things, each letter is a lesson to all churches, then and now. They contain an admonition for churches to see themselves as God sees them.

I. Smyrna is candidly addressed by the Lord, v. 8.

Written to the church in Smyrna.

Sent from the Lord in heaven.

The first and last (1:5, 11, 17).

Was dead and is alive. (1:5, 18).

II. Smyrna is thoroughly known by the Lord, v. 9.

Thy works. Psalm 139:2; Matthew 7:22-23.

Thy tribulation. Romans 5:3.

Thy poverty. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29.

The opposition. Cf. Revelation 3:9; Romans 2:28-29.

III. Smyrna is securely sustained by the Lord, v. 10.

Fear not. Isaiah 35:4; 41:10.

Suffering. Phil 3:10; Romans 8:18.

Prison. (John Baptist, John, Peter, Paul, Silas)

Tribulation. John 16:33; Heb. 11:36-37.

Death. 2 Corinthians 2:10.

Be faithful. Heb 13:5-6; 1 Corinthians 4:2.

Receive a crown of life. (5 crowns)

IV. Smyrna is not the only church of the Lord, v 11. 

(Cf. also Revelation 1:4, 11-13, 20; 2:1-3:22)

He that hath an ear. (spiritual capacity) Matt. 13:16. My sheep hear my voice, John

Let him hear. (individual responsibility) Rom. 14:12.

What to the Spirit saith. (divine revelation) 1 Cor. 2:10.

Unto the churches. (corporate responsibility) 1 Pet. 4:17.

He that overcometh. John 16:33.

Conclusion:

• The churches are local & visible, the gathered people of God in a certain place.
• The churches are independent but interconnected.
• Tribulation in the world is part of the lot of the Christian, 2 Timothy 4:12.
• In Christ we are more than conquerors, Romans 8:37-29.

Now is the accepted time (2 Cor. 6:2), exhort one another daily, while it is called To day (Heb. 3:13).

Billie Jean and Bobby

At this time in 1973 [posted late, so actually the anniversary was Wednesday], the so-called “Battle of the Sexes” played out – a highly hyped and oddly remembered match between female tennis star Billie Jean King and former male tennis star Bobby Riggs. It is “the talk of the town,” Wednesday being the 50th anniversary.

I think this match is quite an odd thing to celebrate as some grand victory for women. Yes, Billie Jean beat Bobby in three straight sets. She was a great tennis player. The “Battle of the Sexes” had many repercussions. However, judged solely as a tennis match, it really is a downer. King was 29 years old and at the top of her game. Riggs may have been one of the world’s best tennis players at one time. But on September 20, 1973, Bobby Riggs was a 55-year old out of shape “has been,” not well prepared, with a mouth bigger than his serve. 

Now had Billie Jean beat an Arthur Ashe or a Björn Borg on or around that day, that would have been something! Bobby Riggs? Nah.

On Smyrna’s 150th Anniversary

A Poem.

On the sixteenth day of August
In Eighteen Hundred Seventy-Three
A church was constituted
By a neighboring presbytery.

From Zion Hill, Sparkman and Deason
Called with an urgent plea.
Seventeen souls with letters
Came forth in covenant to agree.

Elder Sparkman offered prayer,
For preservation and unity.
One hundred fifty years later
Some in covenant still agree.

May God bless these people,
May God be their light—
The Bible be their practice
God’s Spirit be their guide.

Siloam Baptist, Greene County, formerly Smyrna

Historic Rural Churches of Georgia posted pictures of the building of Siloam Baptist Church of Greene County, Georgia. Siloam was originally called the Smyrna Church when it was organized in 1828, and was in the Smyrna Community. A later post office application changed the community name. Click HERE to see pictures and story. 

My ancestors Wyatt and Eliza Jane (Parker) Vaughn were early members of this church, as well as others of the Parker family. Several folks from Greene County populated the eastern portions of Rusk County, Texas, and some of the western portions of Panola. These folks became members of existing churches and/or organized new ones. They were in Baptist churches such as Liberty, Mt. Carmel, Mt. Zion, Shiloh, and so on. In August of 1873, some of the Parkers from Georgia, as well as others who had been members of the Mt. Carmel Church, organized the Smyrna Baptist Church. On August 19, Martha Frazier (originally of Greene County) joined by letter of recommendation. On February 14, 1874, my great-great-grandmother Eliza J. Vaughn came on letter of recommendation (her husband was already deceased).

I have long assumed that, in addition to choosing a Bible name, these Georgians named their church Smyrna because of their former connection to the Smyrna Church in Greene County, Georgia. This year, Smyrna Baptist Church of Rusk County, Texas will celebrate its 150th anniversary, Lord willing.

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Organization minutes of Smyrna Baptist Church, Greene County:

December 19, 1828

A Presbytery being called met consisting of Brethren R. Pace, J. Roberts and J. Davis, in order to constitute a Church. Brother Pace Preached the Sermon from Colosians the 3rd & 1st. If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. After which, Bro. Davis made some appropriate remarks and prayer, and then Proceded to the Constitution of the Church. Bro. Roberts asked the necessary questions. Prayer by Bro. Pace

Charge by Bro. Davis.

Done the 19th December 1828
Vincent Sanford, Clerk P.T.
Presbytery: Richard Pace, Joseph Roberts, Jonathan Davis.

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Organizational minutes of Smyrna Baptist Church, Rusk County:

Sat. before the 3rd Sun. in Aug. 16, 1873. 

A number of Brethren and Sisters met at Chinquapin for the purpose of organizing a Missionary Baptist Church. After divine service by Elder John Sparkman. Solicited brethren called for, none present. On motion Bro. John Deason was called to preside with Eld. John Sparkman, Bro. F. O. Galloway to act as clerk protem. Opportunity then extended to those wishing to unite whereupon 17 came forward with letters of recommendation and were received. Namely E. S. Parker, Rebecca Parker, Jasper Parker, G. A. Parker, M.  T. Wells, E. Wells, W. J. Parker, C. A. E. Parker, Martha Moore, J. F. M. Reid, Mary V. Reid, Robert P. Goldsberry, Nannie E. Goldsberry, G. W. McNew, Martha McNew, C. M. Holleman, F. O. Galloway.  After letters being read, fellowship for each other called for and was granted, then we extended to each other the right hand of Christian and church fellowship. Prayer being offered by Eld. John Sparkman for the preservation and the unity of the church. We then proceeded in conference, elected J. F. M. Reid church clerk. On motion the meeting was protracted. No farther business. Conference adjourned, Conference approved.

            John Sparkman Mod. J.F.M. Reid, C.C.

Anniversary, No. 40

On this date, forty years ago, before God and witnesses I plighted my troth to the woman who has been my wife ever since that time. Happy Anniversary!

[Plight thee my troth is probably not heard outside of wedding vows. It means to pledge one’s faithfulness, fidelity, loyalty.]

Happy seventieth anniversary

1937-2007

Seventy years ago today, January 9th, 1937, on a cold night outside the Laneville schoolhouse gymnasium, Charlie Vaughn and Adelaide Chapman were united in matrimony in Rusk County, Texas. They were born in the same community, attended the same school and the same church, were baptized a year apart in the same creek by the same pastor. Seventy years and five children later, they are still together in Rusk County, Texas; and still attend the same church. With the exception of a year or so during World War II, they have spent very few of some 25,550 days apart. Happy anniversary! Praise the Lord.

"Thus far the Lord hath led me on,
Thus far His power prolongs my days" - Isaac Watts