THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA
Revelation 2:8-11
Throughout my time in the ministry I have struggled when preaching on passages that speak of Christian persecution. It has been difficult to draw an application that is relevant when preaching to an assembly of people in a country with freedom of religion. Some of our brothers and sisters all over the world are in the midst of extreme persecution as we speak. They are worshipping in hidden locations and if they are discovered they could be imprisoned, beaten or even killed for their faith in Christ. Many do not own a Bible because they are strictly forbidden in the places they live. Most of us own a stack of Bibles, we can profess our faith in Christ without fear of being arrested or harmed physically, we can gather to worship anytime we choose, and no one is going to try and stop us
This is a great privilege, and it is one that we must not take for granted. However, I have reached a place where I can absolutely see a day when we no longer possesses this freedom of religion that I speak of. One by one our religious liberties are under attack, and if certain people have their way, there will come a day when we may have to choose whether we deny Christ and appease the people of this world or remain faithful to Him and suffer severe consequences.
Our selected text contains a message of hope for Christians facing persecution. As we saw last week, these letters were sent to seven actual churches in Asia Minor. Jesus sent a message through John to the assembly of Believers who met and worshipped in Smyrna. We also mentioned last week that each of these letters have the same general outline. In almost every instance these letters contained praise, a rebuke, a command, a warning, and a promise.
The Letter to the Church of Smyrna contains a message of hope for those Christians who are persecuted for their faith. Though many of the truths we will consider do not currently apply to us, they will prepare us for what may come in the future. Furthermore, when we consider the persecution that Christians have faced throughout church history and are facing currently, it should motivate us to seize the opportunities we have been given rather than waste them.
- Let’s look to the letter to the church at Smyrna and begin by considering:
THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS LETTER
v8a "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
Smyrna was an important seaport 35 miles north of Ephesus. Smyrna was called “the crown of Asia”, it was a beautiful city in Asia Minor and it was the center of science and medicine. Smyrna and Philadelphia are the only churches that did not receive a rebuke from Jesus in these seven letters.
The word “Smyrna” means myrrh. Myrrh was a substance that was used from perfume and was often used for anointing corpses. There was a large Jewish community in Smyrna, and they were very hostile to the Christian church. The majority of the non-Jewish population was loyal to Rome and worshipped the Emperor. The Christians stood for everything that those around them were against and as a result they endured much suffering and persecution.
- As we move further we will see:
THE AUTHOR OF THIS LETTER
v8b 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
Like the rest of these letters, Jesus was the author. Concerning Smyrna, He refers to Himself as “The First and the Last.” Throughout history there have been many idols and false gods, but Jesus is the one true God, He was before them all and He will outlast them all. Jesus also references His victorious resurrection, He says I am the “one who was dead, and came to life”. This must have been a comforting reality to a group of Christians who were faced with the very real possibility of dying for their faith.
The world views death as the worst thing that can happen to us in this life, but for the Christian, it is actually the best thing, for Paul said, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”. Obviously we do not want to face suffering, persecution and death as we serve the Lord; but if necessary, we can face these things with full assurance that we belong to the one who conquered death, hell and the grave.
- After addressing the church and identifying Himself, Jesus begins to praise the people in the Church at Smyrna. Notice:
THE PRAISE IN THIS LETTER
v9 I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Christians through the ages have endured great persecution. In the Gospels, Jesus taught us that more is to come. When speaking of the end times, Jesus said “there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)
The “beginnings of sorrows” and the coming “great tribulation” will be a time of tragedy and devastation unparalleled in world history. However, even in this present age God’s people will endure much tribulation. Jesus also referenced the poverty of the people in this church. Though they did not possess many material goods, they were rich spiritually.
Charles Stanley said, “There was peculiar honor in being near and like Himself, who had nowhere to lay His head. I have learned this: Jesus is specially the partner of His poor servants.”
“Those who say they are Jews and are not” are either Jewish proselytes or Jews who refuse to believe the scriptural proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Jesus called them a “synagogue of Satan”, these Jews were serving Satan’s purposes, not God’s, when they gathered to worship. At this point in history, the Christians in Smyrna were facing great persecution from the Jews.
Foxes Book of Martyrs tells of one prominent example of this extreme persecution concerning the death of Polycarp. Polycarp, was the bishop of Smyrna, and was apprehended and persecuted because of his faith in Christ. Once captured, he asked for an hour in prayer, and his request was granted. Polycarp prayed so intently, that his guards repented that they had been instrumental in taking him. He was carried before the proconsul & condemned to be burnt at the stake. The proconsul then urged him, saying, “Swear, and I will release thee; reproach Christ.” Polycarp answered, “86 years have I served him, and he never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me?” He was tied to the stake and the fire was kindled, the flames encircled his body, like an arch, without touching him. As a result, the executioner was ordered to pierce him with a sword. When he did a great quantity of blood flowed out and extinguished the fire. Polycarp eventually died for his faith, but he left a lasting impression on those who were present at his execution.
This is just one example of the persecution that was experienced by the members of the Church at Smyrna. The Jews went so far as to join with the pagans in putting Christians to death in an attempt to destroy the Christian faith. They were used by Satan just as much as those in Smyrna who worshipped the emperor. In the midst of this extreme persecution and poverty, Smyrna shined as a light for the Lord Jesus. This did not go unnoticed, Jesus saw their works, their faith and their endurance and He praised them for it.
Like the others, the letter to Smyrna contained a warning, but this warning is not about the consequences of unrepentant sin, rather it is a warning that the already prevalent persecution is about to increase. Notice
THE WARNING IN THIS LETTER
v10a Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.
Jesus encouraged His people not to fear the persecution that they would soon face. Some would be imprisoned and tested for “ten days”. “Ten days” speaks to the fact their persecution would only last for a brief period of time. The Christians in Smyrna did face extreme persecution, but they did not face it alone. Furthermore, they were given a promise that they would be rewarded for their faithful endurance.
- As we move further we will see:
THE COMMAND IN THIS LETTER
v10b Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Whereas Ephesus was commanded to repent and return, Smyrna was commanded to remain, that is to remain faithful even until death. Jesus encouraged His followers to be steadfast and willing to suffer death rather than to renounce their faith in Him.
- Not only did Jesus give them a command, this command came with a promise. Notice:
THE PROMISE IN THIS LETTER
v10b Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." '
Jesus promised that if they would be faithful until death, He would give them the Crown of life. The picture given here is not of a crown such as royals wear, it actually speaks of the Greek “victory wreath” which was a garland crown that was given to winners in athletic events. James speaks of “the crown of life” that will be given to all believers who persevere under trial. (James 1:12 blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.) Those who persevere until the end, (even if that means dying for Christ) will enjoy eternal life in God’s Kingdom.
As in the other letters, this one closes with a promise to those who overcome or conquer. Jesus promises the Christians in Smyrna that if they overcome, they “shall not be hurt by the second death." “Overcomers” are those who prove the genuineness of their faith by remaining with Christ and facing death rather than denying Him in order to live. Jesus wanted the Believers in Smyrna to know that they would face persecution; the context of this letter declares that their persecution was imminent. However, if they would remain faithful to Him, Jesus would remain faithful to them. Even if their faith cost them their life, they would be protected from the “second death”; furthermore they would be rewarded in eternity; in fact, eternity was their reward! The Christians in Smyrna were living in the midst of dark days and great trouble, but they were able to endure suffering, persecution and even death with great hope and assurance.
We are able to rest in the same promises that Jesus gave the Church at Smyrna. We are living in dark days and as time passes things will certainly get worse. Currently we are blessed with freedoms that most of the world will never know, but those freedoms are under attack and there may come a day when we face persecution similar to what was faced by Smyrna. That persecution may even put us in a position where we have to decide whether to renounce Christ and live, or to remain faithful unto death.
If that is the case, we can face death with great assurance; for though we may die physically, (the first death) we will never experience (the second death) which speaks of spiritual and eternal death. And even if we do, Jesus has promised to reward our faithfulness. We may lose our lives but we will gain “the crown of life”.
Smyrna was a city famous for its athletic games. Athletes who won those games received a crown called the victory wreath. Christians who are faithful to Jesus in this life will receive the greatest prize of victory, eternal life. We are able to remain faithful in spite of opposition, persecution, suffering and death because we serve the God who is in control. Our Savior is “the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life”. He is the all-powerful God and He is in control, therefore we can cling to His promises.
There is no guarantee that if we are faithful to Jesus we will never face troubles, suffering and persecution. In fact, the opposite is more likely. Knowing this, we must resolve to be faithful to him in our sufferings. When we do, this will prove the genuineness of our faith.
As opposition to Christ and His church intensifies, and physical persecution becomes a reality in our lifetime, I pray that we would be a church like Smyrna. May we be a church that does not stand in need of rebuke from our Savior, rather, that we would be one that receives praise from Him due to our steadfast endurance and faithful service. For this to happen, we must keep our eyes on Him, shun the threat of death and look forward to “the crown of life”.
I am thankful for the hope, comfort and encouragement that is found in “The Letter To The Church Of Smyrna”
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