The two-step interpretive key involves connecting the Barley seed with the Glory of Israel and then linking the Glory of Israel to the executory function at the Church at Smyrna. As Jesus said in John 12:24, "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."
Barley Seed and the Glory of Israel Barley, with its sturdy and resilient nature, is not only a symbol of sustenance but also a representation of the Glory of Israel. In biblical times, barley was more than just a crop; it was a testament to the providence and blessings bestowed upon the people of Israel. This is beautifully illustrated in Ruth 2:23, where Ruth gleaned "until the barley and wheat harvests were finished." The humble grain, central to the Feast of First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10-11), signified a deeper spiritual connection between the Israelites and their faith. Just as barley was a crucial part of their agricultural cycle, it also played a vital role in their religious practices, embodying the glory and resilience of the nation. The Glory of Israel is thus intricately linked to barley, reflecting the strength and perseverance of the people in their journey of faith, as emphasized in Hosea 2:22, "The earth will respond to the grain, the new wine and the olive oil."
The Glory of Israel with the Executory Function The Glory of Israel, embodied in the resilient and steadfast nature of barley, finds a profound connection with the mantle at Smyrna. This church, known for its unwavering faith and endurance, stands as a divine executor of God's will, even unto death, as promised in Revelation 2:10, "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown." Just as barley symbolises sustenance and survival, the believers in Smyrna exemplified perfect obedience and submission to God's will, facing intense persecution with unwavering faith. Their trials and tribulations were akin to the crushing of grain for bread, transforming their suffering into spiritual nourishment for the community, reminiscent of 1 Corinthians 9:10, "Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest."
This steadfastness in the face of adversity reflects the ultimate sacrifice in the execution of God's will, much like a grain of barley falls to the ground and dies to produce a rich harvest. As Isaiah 28:28 declares, "Grain must be ground to make bread; so one does not go on threshing it forever." The church at Smyrna, like the barley seed, demonstrated that through death comes life, through sacrifice comes abundance, and through faithful execution of God's will comes eternal glory.
Smyrna, a persecuted church, was facing intense poverty and affliction, as described in Revelation 2:9: "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)." Despite their material poverty, they possessed spiritual wealth beyond measure. Jesus praised their faithfulness, saying "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev 2:10).
Their situation mirrors James 2:5, "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?" The lesson for us is profound - true 'wealth' lies in self-sacrifice, service, and the pursuit of justice and righteousness. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:19-20, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."
The church at Smyrna embodied 2 Corinthians 6:10: "As poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything." Their example challenges us to redefine success and prosperity according to God's terms, reminding us that "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Matthew 16:26). Through their steadfast faith amid persecution, they demonstrated that genuine wealth lies not in material abundance but in spiritual faithfulness.
graph TD
B[Barley, glory of Israel] -->|Rev 2:8 - Smyrna| Smyrna
B -->|Scientific Name| HordeumVulgare[Hordeum vulgare]
Scientific name: Hordeum vulgare.
The Barley and the Glory of Israel
Smyrna, the second of seven communities mentioned in Rev 2-3 whose guardian angel Telios (also known as Gabriel) stood against the spirit and man of lawlessness embodying the deaconic hand gift in the NT ecclesia. As written in 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8: "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth."The church represented the deaconic genius of artisanal excellence in executing God's will, reflecting Acts 6:2-3: "So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, 'It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.'"This is love perfected within the City of faith, as described in 1 John 4:17-18: "By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear." The church implements with precision and declares the "Thus says the Lord" to interpret exactly which way to proceed, following Isaiah 30:21: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."