December 4
Bible Reading: Revelation 3
Revelation 2:8-9, “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write…’I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich).’”
Revelation 3:14-17, “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write…’For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked’.”
The city of Smyrna lay about thirty-five miles north of Ephesus on the east shore of the Aegean Sea. In New Testament times, as many as 200,000 citizens populated the city. Coins described the city as “First of Asia in beauty and size.” The city sustained a special relationship with Rome and the imperial cult that ruled in that day. The strong allegiance to Rome and a large Jewish population (that was actively hostile to the Christians) made it especially difficult to live as a Christian in the city. Indeed, one of the early church fathers, Polycarp, suffered martyrdom in Smyrna—some decades after this message to the church—when he refused to acknowledge Caesar as Lord. The believers in Smyrna experienced both tribulation and poverty. The two go hand in hand. They struggled to make a living in the hostile environment. Materially speaking, they were burdened and bankrupt. But their situation did not escape the notice of “the first and the last, who died and came to life” (Revelation 2:8). From His perspective, according to God’s economy of things, they were rich (James 2:5; Matthew 6:20; 2 Corinthians 6:10).
Laodicea was located in the Lycus valley at the juncture of two important trade routes. In Roman times, it became the wealthiest city in the region. The fertile soil of the valley provided good grazing for sheep. Careful breeding had worked to produce a valued black wool that was much in demand and brought fame and wealth to the region. Agriculture and trade gave rise to a lucrative banking industry. The city was also renowned for a medical school, which had worked to create certain ointments that were used to treat ear and eye ailments. Laodicea’s major weakness, its lack of an adequate water supply, was resolved by the construction of an expensive aqueduct that brought water in from springs located some six miles away. The imperial cult reigned in Laodicea as it did in Smyrna, but the church in Laodicea was apparently not troubled by it. It was a compromising church and deemed itself prosperous, saying, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing” (Revelation 3:17). They were pridefully self-assured, but spiritually blind. Like the emperor with no clothes, they were embarrassingly unaware of their true condition. Jesus strongly rebuked them, saying, “You are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). He exhorted them to buy from Him that which they lacked (i.e., gold, garments, and salve to anoint their eyes; Revelation 3:18).
The impoverished church in Smyrna was reputably poor, but not according to Jesus. The prosperous church in Laodicea thought itself to be rich, but it was anything but wealthy. If we are to judge things correctly, we must view them from His perspective. Some deem the biggest church in America wealthy. It meets in an expensively remodeled basketball coliseum and boasts of a weekly attendance of over 43,000. The pastor writes best-selling books and resides in a multi-million-dollar home. But you will find no cross hanging in the church building and hear no mention of Christ crucified from the pulpit. The Risen Christ is not welcome there. I once heard the testimony of a pastor who was founding a church in a small village in the Masaka Region of Uganda. We met at the site for prayer. There were a few poles sticking up from the ground. Accompanied by a few members of his church, he could hardly contain his excitement as he shared how God had worked in overcoming demonic oppression and opposition, so that they could finally plant a church in the church-less village. No one would sell property for a church, so he used his own land. That church had no building and little resources, but they were rich in faith and love for Jesus.
There is a tendency in prosperity to rely on one’s wealth and fail to recognize the fact that we are all always needy (Proverbs 30:7-9; Luke 12:19; 1 Timothy 6:17). Poverty and persecution have a way of working to remind us of our true condition before God. In possessing Christ, even the most impoverished amongst us is rich beyond measure (Ephesians 3:8). Without Him, a person can possess great earthly riches, and yet be spiritually bankrupt (Matthew 16:26).
The question is not whether you need Jesus or not, for we all desperately need Him. The question is to what extent do you recognize your need of Him.
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I’d rather be His than have riches untold
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin’s dread sway
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today
LookingtoJesus 