The Church at Smyrna

Revelation 2:8-11 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Introduction

The second church letter is addressed to the Christians at Smyrna. Generally, Smyrna is called the martyred church. The word Smyrna means “myrrh” and carries with it the meaning of crushing or suffering. To extract the resin from the commiphora tree, long deep cuts are made into the tree and the resin will ooze out and dry. To make a powder, the reddish-brown lumps are crushed with a mortar and pestle. The beautiful fragrant smell of myrrh is the result of long deep gashes and crushing. No wonder Smyrna brings to mind the meaning of suffering. Smyrna was more than the name of the city where they lived, it is a description of how they lived…suffering.

The city of Smyrna, situated where the Hermus River flows into the gulf, is located 40 miles north from Ephesus. It is located at the end of a major east-west road, surrounded by rich farmland. Today Smyrna is Izmir, a thriving city of Turkey.

Smyrna had many great buildings lining its skyline. It had a theater and an odeum, (a small, roofed theater used chiefly for competitions in music and poetry), and a great stadium where the Olympics were held. Called the “crown of all Asia” during the first century, historians have remarked about the city’s great beauty, large size, wealth, and fine wines. It has one of the most beautiful harbors on the peninsula.

Smyrna had temples for Zeus, Apollo, Diana, and a temple for Aphrodite. The reason for its growth and importance of this city lay with its loyalty to Rome. An example would be the competition for the right to build a temple to the emperor Tiberius in AD 29. Seven cities competed and Smyrna won, becoming the “temple warden”. Later under Emperor Hadrian, Smyrna built another temple unto him. Because the city’s main religion was “Caesar Worship,” intimidation and harassment followed for any who did not kneel to Caesar and that meant persecution for the early church. To make matters worse local Jews persecuted the Smyrna Christians as well as the Romans.

If you have read about any of the martyrs of Christ, then you will remember the name Polycarp. It was at the stadium in Smyrna that Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna and student of the apostle John, was martyred, and burned alive in A.D. 155. Rome could be seen everywhere in Smyrna.

Like any large city, Smyrna was rich in business. It was a “guild” city, home to guilds of fishermen, tanners, silvers and goldsmiths. Because Smyrna was a very religious city, membership in these guilds required participation in a common meal dedicated to a pagan deity and included sacrificing to a pagan deity, and likely to the emperor as well.

The beginnings of the church at Smyrna are difficult to pin down. It is believed that the gospel reached Smyrna from Ephesus, and that either the Apostle Paul or one of his traveling companions introduced Christianity to Smyrna (see Acts 19:9–10, 26).

The church at Smyrna has been nicknamed “the suffering church.”

James, the brother of Jesus and pastor of the church at Jerusalem spoke of trials.

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

The Apostle Peter had this to say,

1 Peter 5:10-11 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Pain and suffering are not alluring. They do not draw people to a cause, and yet, the persecuted church thrives. Look at the underground church in Russia before the fall of Communism. Christians could not own bibles. They were confiscated and burned, and the holder was imprisoned. Yet, when the wall fell, the world stood in awe to a thriving, growing church that was pure in its beliefs.

Repeatedly we see that trials and tribulations strengthen a body of believers. However, the opposite is true of the false believer; they turn and run from trials and tribulations, as their faith is not true.

Greeting

Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write;

Reference to Christ

Revelation 2:8 These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

Christ suffered…he was dead, and is alive…The Suffering Servant of God speaks to the suffering church of God

I find it interesting that the description of Jesus to the church at Smyrna is “the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.” Jesus wants them to know He understands as He was tortured and put to death in order that the will of the Father is accomplished. Jesus identifies with these believers as the church at Smyrna was persecuted for their faith. Jesus has walked this walk before them.

Commendation

Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

“I know thy…tribulation.” What kind of tribulation were these believers experiencing?

The word tribulation carries with it the description of a man crushed, slowly by a huge boulder laid on him or described as the crushing of wheat under a millstone. It is also described the Roman whip that was laid on Jesus’ back. This was not persecution bywords, but by vicious acts.

Not only were these believers going through horrific tribulation, they were also forced into poverty for their beliefs. Later in the Book of the Revelation we read…

Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

The taking of the mark of the beast, discussed later, gives us an idea how difficult it must have been for the believers at the end of the first century. They became poor and driven to poverty by the system that did not worship the one true God. For those that did not worship Caesar or the other deities of the city, their homes and belongings were confiscated. All they owned became Rome’s to do with as it pleased. These brothers and sisters in Christ lost their businesses, wealth, lands, and earthly possessions in order to serve Jesus.

There are places in the world today where Christian’s homes and belongings are confiscated. They are imprisoned and, in some cases, murdered, only because of their beliefs. Suffering and maltreatment awaits many of our brothers and sisters under great persecution for the cause of Christ.

Nevertheless, John reminds them “but thou art rich.” They have spiritual blessings in heavenly places laid up for them in eternity that Rome or religion cannot touch. They have them on deposit, waiting for them by the King of Kings.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (KJV)

“I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” Blasphemy is defined as “vilification especially against God or evil speaking or railing against.” Who are the blasphemous Jews that are associated with Satan’s followers?

In the eighth chapter of the Gospel of John, the Savior is answering questions from the Pharisees and Jews with which they meant to trap Him. I wonder if this incident came to his mind as he talked about this group.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Anyone, Jew, or Gentile, which rejects Jesus, is contrary to the will of God. Even though the Jews were God’s chosen people, they were being led of Lucifer and worshiping in “the synagogue of Satan.”

Criticism or Rebuke

There are no words of criticism or rebuke from God for the church at Smyrna. Even though they received rejection and persecution from the Gentiles and Jews, they received only commendation from God. Who better to give praise than the Creator!

Charge to Repent

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

As the church did not receive criticism or rebuke, they also did not receive a Warning or a Charge to Repent. But John does deliver to them a note of caution from the Lord.

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer.” As I read these lines, I wonder how these first century believers, who were being hunted, persecuted, and put to death for their faith, accepted this. Jesus commanded them not to fear the things they were going to suffer. This is a warning that the worst is coming and will continue. There is no way out or deliverance from God for them on this earth. There will not be an immediate change, the suffering will continue.

Strange. They were not to fear the things they were going to suffer. I wonder how the “prosperity doctrine” teachers handle this verse with all their “God wants you to be prosperous” preaching.

The reason that persecution will continue is because Satan is causing the problem in their lives. Satan has many names used throughout the Bible: Destruction, Accuser, Adversary, Deceiver, Devil, Enemy, Father of lies, God of this age, Liar, Murderer, and Ruler of this world.

Some years ago, I was in a restaurant and overheard a group of people talking about how they were suffering for Jesus. That was their words and not mine. Taken aback by their discussion, I continued to eves-drop on their conversation. What did they considered was suffering for Jesus? One lady spoke of having a 5-year-old car, another had not been shopping for clothes lately and her fashions were from two years ago. Another said that people at work were making fun of her for being Christian. Another mentioned the embarrassment he suffered while in a meeting at work when he was put on the spot and asked, “Do you believe in the fairy tales of the bible? Oh, the persecution I am suffering for my faith.”

My heart ached for their ignorance of the scriptures. In my mind, these “modern day martyrs” did not read the letter to the church of Smyrna or understand what true suffering for Jesus is.

As we look at this church, it is hard for us to understand the fierce persecution that these believers were going through. As of the day of this writing, the Christian church in America does not have persecution at this level.

Christ continues to encourages the believers to “fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer.” What type of suffering is the Apostle referring? In the book, “Fox’s Book of Martyrs,” it is hard to understand the level of depravity of the persecutions under Nero (around AD 67).

“Nero even refined upon cruelty, and contrived all manner of punishments for the Christians that the most infernal imagination could design. In particular, he had some sewed up in skins of wild beasts, and then worried by dogs until they expired; and others dressed in shirts made stiff with wax, fixed to axletrees, and set on fire in his gardens, in order to illuminate them. This persecution was general throughout the whole Roman Empire; but it rather increased than diminished the spirit of Christianity. In the course of it, St. Paul and St. Peter were martyred. “ John Foxe, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2000).

This is the background of the letter. This kind of cruelty was taking place throughout the Roman Empire and because the city of Smyrna was dedicated to “Emperor Worship,” the sights were set on the Christians who refused to bow.

“Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried” does not sound to me like a rallying cry for believers. It sounds more like a “get out of Dodge while you can” statement. However, John tells them who is to blame for the current situation - it is Satan. Some would be cast into prison and be tried, but this was all for God’s glory. While all the persecutions were being carried out, the Smyrna Christians remained true, some having to endure nightmarish actions, while others would be saved.

“…and ye shall have tribulation ten days” It is quite possible that this is a literal ten days, but in accordance with the rest of the Revelations’ handling of numbers and the general character of the book it probably means a few days, or a short period of time (Genesis 24:55, 1 Samuel 25:38, Daniel 1:12,14; Acts 25:6). We do not know how long the tribulations and jailing has lasted, but the key for me is that the trials would not be long. Those words must have sustained them and brought joy in their time of sorrow.

Since this letter was to be read by all the churches as well as you and me today, it is clear that this is not ten literal days, starting with the reading of the letter. The important point is that the believers remain faithful, no matter how long the persecution lasts.

“…and I will give thee a crown of life”. Since Smyrna held the games of the Olympia, they would understand the importance of this statement. The crown is only given to the winner of the race, not second or third place - it was given to the clear winner. Jesus is telling the believers that He, Jesus Himself, will give them a crown. That crown is the Crown of Life. Eternal life would be theirs!

The writer of the book of James also speaks about the “crown of life.”

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

The writer of the book of Hebrews also refers to life as an Olympic event:

Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

A Call To Hear

Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

A Promise

Revelation 2:11 He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Warren Wiersbe wrote in his book, “Be Victorious”

“It costs to be a dedicated Christian, in some places more than others. As end-time pressures increase, persecution will also increase; and God’s people need to be ready (1 Peter 4:12ff). The world may call us “poor Christians,” but in God’s sight we are rich.”

If for no other reason to be a Christian, avoiding the second death would be worth everything we could endure in this world. Not suffering in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone through eternity, would be worth it all. That is the message to the Suffering Church at Smyrna.

Conclusion

Therefore, what do we make of this second church:

1. By worldly standards, this city would have made the list of “The Ten Best Places to Live in the Roman Empire.”

2. By Christian standards, this city would have made the list of “The Ten Best Places to Avoid in the Roman Empire.”

3. As Ephesus represents the apostolic church, so Smyrna represents the martyr church which covers the period from about A. D. 100 to approximately A. D. 314,

4. This letter, written to a church that was suffering persecution that we cannot understand today, was meant to be an encouragement to those believers that put it on the line to be followers of Jesus

5. Humanly speaking, this church should have “folded up its tent and left town.” Even through the persecution for the cause of Christ, this church never left its first love unlike the church at Ephesus.

6. Surely, the church at Smyrna understood the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the churches in Galatia,

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.