Saved From The Second Death. Living Forever
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The Church in Smyrna, its tests and trials
The Church in Smyrna, its tests and trials
Smyrna earned a reputation for exceptional beauty and wealth, with the ancient historian Strabo specifically noting its fine wines. Many proclaimed it the most beautiful city in Asia, and it was known among the cities as “a paradise of municipal vanity”. The city claimed distinction as the birthplace of Homer and the place where Galen, the “father of medicine and the study of anatomy,” studied.
Commercially, Smyrna functioned as a crucial seaport due to its strategic position along trade routes into Asia Minor, and it seriously rivaled Ephesus for commercial importance in the region. Throughout the Roman period, the city excelled in medicine and science and housed guilds of basket-fishermen, tanners, silversmiths, and goldsmiths.
Politically, Smyrna distinguished itself through devotion to Rome. The city called itself “the first city of Asia” and received the honor of building a temple to Emperor Tiberius in 23 B.C. because of its faithfulness to Rome. This made Smyrna a center for emperor worship, which later brought severe persecution to early Christians under emperors like Nero and Domitian. Archaeological discoveries of coins and statues of various emporers demonstrate the city’s sustained devotion to imperial authority.
A neokorate was a prestigious title and status granted by the Roman Senate and Emperor to cities in the Eastern Empire (primarily Asia Minor) that built temples to honor the Imperial cult. Derived from the Greek (temple-sweeper/warden), the title signified the city's responsibility for maintaining a temple for the worship of Roman emperors or their families, functioning as a high-ranking honor that was often advertised on city coinage.
When was the church in Smyrna founded?
The exact founding date of the church in Smyrna remains uncertain. Scholars do not know precisely when Christian missionaries first arrived in the city1, though by A.D. 90 a Christian community was already established there, and John addresses the church in Revelation 2:8–11 as one with considerable history1.
Several theories attempt to narrow this timeframe. Some scholars suggest Paul may have founded the church during his third missionary journey (A.D. 53–56)2, with Acts 19:10 indicating that while Paul taught in Ephesus, all residents of Asia heard the gospel2. Alternatively, devout Jews from Asia present at Pentecost in Jerusalem may have returned to Smyrna with the Christian message3. However, one scholar argues “the Church in Smyrna was not founded till 61–64 AD at earliest”3, suggesting the church’s origins were later than Paul’s missionary activities.
This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
What need did Jesus meet in addressing the church of smyrna as "the first and the last, who died and came to life?
The Smyrnaean believers faced persecution and tribulation, and Jesus’s self-identification as the one “who was dead, and has come to life” reminded them that he holds sovereign authority over death itself. This designation addressed their most pressing spiritual need: the fear of martyrdom.
The Smyrnaean believers faced persecution and tribulation, and Jesus’s self-identification as the one “who was dead, and has come to life” reminded them that he holds sovereign authority over death itself.1 This designation addressed their most pressing spiritual need: the fear of martyrdom.
While Smyrna’s society valued human status and prominence, Christ’s declaration of being “first and last” relativized all earthly titles and claims, emphasizing instead his sovereign control over everything the persecuted church would encounter. Beyond this sovereignty, having already experienced the worst the world could inflict through crucifixion, Jesus had conquered death through resurrection, meaning Christians need not fear dying for him since the grave becomes the entrance to eternal glory
This description of Christ brought comfort to believers undergoing hardship by reminding them that he transcends temporal concerns, and through their union with him, they should as well. Additionally, because Jesus himself endured the most severe persecution imaginable, he serves as a compassionate and understanding source of strength for those suffering. The self-designation thus functioned not merely as theological assertion but as pastoral reassurance—Jesus presented himself as one who comprehended their suffering intimately and possessed the power to sustain them through it.
“ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
What Tribulation were believers going through in Smyrna?
Tribulation in Smyrna refers specifically to suffering the believers would not have experienced had they not been Christians—it was the direct consequence of their identification with Christ. This was not the ordinary hardship common to all people, but rather pressure and distress that oppressed or crushed the soul, stemming from their faith commitment.
The word “tribulation” carries the idea of a beating, suggesting the intensity and relentlessness of what the Smyrnaean believers endured. Tribulation is painful and wearisome, pecking away little by little, chipping away at joy, taking the wind out of perseverance, and worsening as it drags on
The tribulation originated from vicious slander by the local Jewish community, who had rejected Christianity as heretical and advised the city’s officials to suppress the Christian movement. The Smyrna Christians had been persecuted by Jews who incited pagans against them, their property had been confiscated, and they had suffered the loss of all things, taking cheerfully the spoiling of their goods.
Significantly, Jesus’s declaration “I know your tribulation” offered profound comfort to the church in Smyrna3, for this simple and comforting acknowledgment reminded them of his presence with them during their suffering, counteracting the isolation that often accompanies persecution.3 The tribulation was real, severe, and Christ-centered—but it was neither unnoticed nor ultimately victorious.
what was the church in smyrna being slandered for?
The church at Smyrna faced accusations of cannibalism (stemming from misunderstandings of the Lord’s Supper), immorality (based on distortions of the holy kiss believers exchanged), breaking up homes (when one spouse converted while the other didn’t), atheism (because Christians rejected the pagan pantheon), and political disloyalty (due to their refusal to offer sacrifices to the emperor)
Who was the synagogue of satan?
The synagogue of Satan was a group of unbelieving Jews who were persecuting Christians. They claimed to be Jews, yet were not, and they persecuted Christians in Smyrna, with the Lord knowing their blasphemy—their sharp denunciations of Christ and Christians.
Though these Jewish persecutors claimed to be God’s true people, they were actually Satan’s assembly—Satan’s people. By rejecting Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, they renounced their status as “true” Jews and became liars; through their persecution of authentic believers, they became a synagogue of Satan—a gathering following the devil’s priorities.
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
WHAT DOES BEING THROWN INTO PRISON 10 DAYS MEAN?
Some interpreters believe Jesus meant ten years of persecution, noting that this was precisely the duration of persecution under Diocletian, during which the Asiatic Churches were grievously afflicted.
However, the number likely isn’t literal, since apocalyptic literature regularly uses numbers symbolically, and the point is that the suffering won’t last forever. Some interpreters suggest that the “ten days” is in contrast to the much longer time designations in the book, simply indicating that the tribulation for this church will be of relatively short duration.
Importantly, being thrown into prison was severe persecution. In that day prison was never used to rehabilitate someone and rarely used to punish someone; normally, you were thrown into prison as you awaited trial and execution.2 The testing will show where their true loyalty lies.1 The word “tested” means “tempt” from the Devil’s perspective but “test” from God’s—the Devil meant their imprisonment for evil, but God intended it for good, testing the believers in their suffering.
The core meaning transcends the specific duration: the ten days refers to a limited period of time, and the suffering in this world is always for a “little while” compared to the final everlasting reward.
the number 10 meaning in numerology
The number ten represents the perfection of divine order, marking the beginning of an entirely new numerical series. It signifies completeness of order and the entire round of anything—implying that nothing is wanting, that the number and order are perfect, and that the whole cycle is complete
Throughout Scripture, this symbolism appears consistently. The Ten Commandments contain all that is necessary—no more and no less—both in their number and order.1 The Ten Plagues represented the complete circle of God’s judgments on Egypt. Tithes represent the whole of what was due from man to God, marking and recognizing God’s claim on the entire.
In Revelation specifically, ten is the perfect number, and it appears in the Revelation sometimes alone, sometimes multiplied into itself.3 The Church in Smyrna was to have tribulation for ten days—a full measure of tribulation.3 In this context, ten functions as a relatively short span of time, depending on Daniel 1:12-14
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
What does not being hurt by the second death mean?
Not being hurt by the second death means believers will not experience eternal, spiritual death—they may face physical death, but they will escape the ultimate spiritual consequence that awaits the unrepentant.1 While the first death is physical separation of body and soul, the second death represents eternal separation of both body and soul from God under His judgment
This promise functions as figurative language for an abundant life with God in the future kingdom—equivalent to ruling with Christ, inheriting the kingdom, and entering the city by its gates.3 Rather than merely avoiding punishment, believers receive something affirmative: the overcomer gains not only the certainty of heaven at death but also a richly rewarded, enriched experience of eternal life for whatever sacrifices made in the present.
Christ doesn’t promise His people exemption from physical death, but rather guarantees they will remain forever beyond the reach of the second death.2 The second death is identified with the lake of fire—God’s awesome, holy, avenging presence—by which the wicked “will be tormented day and night for ever and ever,” not annihilation but conscious, eternal separation from God.4 For Smyrna’s persecuted believers facing imprisonment and potential martyrdom, this assurance transformed their perspective: physical death holds no real power to injure believers, for it becomes the Lord’s appointed escort ushering His people into His presence and eternal glory.
by Hippolytus:
By means of this knowledge [of salvation] you will escape the approaching threat of the fire of judgment and the sunless scenery of gloomy Tartarus, where there never shines a beam from the irradiating voice of the Word. You will also escape the boiling flood of Gehenna’s eternal lake of fire.… these things you will avoid by being instructed in a knowledge of the true God. You will possess an immortal body, beyond the possibility of corruption, just like the soul. And you will receive the kingdom of heaven
