In this article, we will take a look at the next church that Jesus addresses and that would be the church in Smyrna.
This letter is the shortest of the seven messages. Smyrna is mentioned only here in Scripture, but from other literature, it is clear that the citizens of the city were noted for their opposition to the Christian gospel of the first century.
Smyrna was a port city that lay 35 miles up the coast, just north of Ephesus. It also had an excellent harbor on the Aegean Sea and rivaled Ephesus in the export business. The city of Smyrna is still in existence. Today it is known by the modern name of Izmir, in modern-day Turkey.
The church in Smyrna was one of only two churches that received no rebukes from Christ.
If we go back as far as 195 B.C., Smyrna foresaw the rising power of Rome. In response to that power, they built a temple for pagan Roman worship.
The city also became a center for the cult of emperor worship, a fanatical religion that later, under such emperors as Nero (A.D. 54-68) and Domitian (A.D. 68-79), brought severe persecution for the early Christian church.
Under the emperor Domitian, “emperor worship” was required for all Roman citizens. Those who refused could receive the death penalty. Once a year, all citizens were required to burn incense on an altar to the emperor, after which they would receive a certificate proving that they had done their civil duty.
While this was more an act of political loyalty than a religious act, the citizen had to say, while burning the incense, "Caesar is Lord." As you can imagine, many Christians considered this act blasphemous and refused to do it.
In addition to being a center for the imperial cult, Smyrna also had a large Jewish population that actively opposed the Christians.
The church in Smyrna struggled against two major enemies:
1. A Gentile population that was loyal to Rome and supported emperor worship.
2. A large Jewish population that was strongly opposed to Christianity.
About 60 years after Revelation was written, in A.D. 156, the 86-year-old church father, Polycarp, who was a direct disciple of the apostle John, was burned alive as "the 12th martyr of Smyrna." The church in Smyrna was obviously being persecuted.
With that brief introduction, let’s look at Revelation 2: 8-11
v. 8, “and to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The First and the Last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this”:
- Remember the Greek word angellos, can be used for either angel or a human messenger and in this case, it’s a human messenger to the church at Smyrna.
- We know from reading this part of the Scripture that they experienced severe persecution and all the hardships that go along with it.
- It's interesting to note that the Greek word "Smyrna" used here, actually translates a word in the Septuagint [the Greek translation of the Old Testament] meaning "myrrh," which was a bitter, resinous, gum-like substance that was used as an embalming agent.
- The idea of being named after a bitter embalming substance certainly increases the name’s appropriateness to the church situation, especially in light of the martyrdom, which was coming to these saints.
- Notice Jesus’ description of Himself, literally, as, "The First and the Last, who came to be dead and lives."
- The "First and the Last":
o This is a title used by Isaiah for the God of Israel in Isaiah 44:6, “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.”
o In reference to Christ, this speaks of His eternality.
o This title also goes along with the title "the Alpha and the Omega" – the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet.
- As Jesus sees that the church is about to be subject to fierce persecution, the eternal infinite One begins to give them words of encouragement.
- We need to remember that Jesus is the eternal God, who became fully human and experienced the agony of death, but more importantly, the victory of His resurrection.
- These two descriptions of Christ, “the First in the Last; the Alpha and the Omega,” bring together what Jesus accomplished on earth and what He is by nature:
o His death and resurrection, as well as His eternal nature, are especially important to those to whom He promises eternal life.
o As an eternal and living Savior, He is able to perform His promises.
o As He experienced death and rose in triumph over it, so will the martyrs, a fact that is guaranteed by His eternal nature.
· Although this church was experiencing much persecution, Christ was reminding them that He was sovereign and eternal:
o No matter what they faced, Christ already knew about it.
o As the "First and the Last," nothing could take Him by surprise.
- Christ identified Himself as the One who was dead and came back to life again:
o Jesus was victorious over death.
o Even if believers have to suffer to the point of death, Christ, the One who "came to life again," would raise them to return with Him when He ushers in His eternal kingdom.
As we look at v.9, we will see recognition of their faithfulness during trials.
v.9, ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan."
- In referring to their tribulation, Jesus assures them that He knows of their oppression and affliction, "I know your tribulation and your poverty."
- The word for "poverty" is the Greek word for abject poverty; hopelessness; dismal:
o They were not just poor they were miserably poor.
o It's very likely that their extreme poverty can be explained by the fact that they had their possessions taken from them in the process of the persecution and affliction.
- Jesus quickly reminds them, however, "but you are rich." What did Jesus mean by this?
o The church at Smyrna had every reason, humanly speaking, to collapse.
o Instead, it remained faithful to the Lord, never leaving its “first love” -- unlike the church at Ephesus.
o And for that reason Jesus says to them, "you are rich."
o They had what really mattered: salvation, holiness, grace, peace, fellowship, a compassionate Savior and Comforter. They were hanging on to Christ.
o The church at Smyrna was “the rich poor church,” in contrast to the church at Laodicea (who we will study later), which was a materially rich church, but a spiritually poor one.
v.9b, "and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not":
- Much of the persecution seems to have been coming from the Jews who were actively opposing Christianity. Christ identified them as those who claimed to be Jews but really weren't:
o In other words, they may have descended from Abraham, but true Jews (God's people) are those who are “faithing” in Jesus as Messiah and Savior:
· Gal. 3:7, “Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.”
- Notice the term “blasphemy.” It's usually reserved for hostile words against God. But here Jesus uses it to indicate the wickedness, intensity, and severity of their hatred for the church. In fact, they were hostile towards God in rejecting Christ as the Messiah, and that's probably the reason why Jesus uses the term blasphemy.
Next Jesus says that they ". . . . are a synagogue of Satan."
What is a “synagogue?”
- Normally it was a building in, which Jewish worship took place and the Old Testament was taught.
- Jesus calls them a “synagogue of Satan.” Why?
o Because they were not teaching the Law of God.
- These Jews rejected their Messiah. They were, in reality, as Jesus described them, “a synagogue of Satan”:
o The phrase "synagogue of Satan" means that these Jews were serving Satan's purposes, not God's.
o They gathered to plan their attack on the church, thus doing Satan's will, not God’s.
o They hated and persecuted the true people of God, the Christians, who, like Abraham, had the faith to believe and receive Jesus as their Messiah.
v.10, ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life”:
- Christ told the believers in Smyrna, who had already been facing persecution and suffering, that they ought not to be afraid of what they were about to suffer:
o More persecution was coming, yet they should remember that although the Jews and Roman authorities carried out the persecution, behind any actions against them was the devil himself.
o Satan would cause some of the believers to be thrown into prison and even killed. He would put the believers to the test -- that is, he would test their faith – he would try their faith.
- God's purpose in permitting that imprisonment was so that they would be tested. By successfully enduring that trial, they will prove the reality of their faith. They would be strengthened, and prove, once again, that Satan cannot destroy genuine saving faith.
v.10b, “. . . and you will have tribulation for ten days."
What's the best way to interpret the 10 days?
- Some see the 10 days as symbolically representing everything from:
o 10 periods of persecution under the Romans.
o An undetermined period of time of persecution.
o A time of 10 years of persecution.
o There are also those who see this as 10 actual, literal days. This is the preferable interpretation:
· Remember, take it literally unless there’s a reason not to.
· The 10 days are literal and refers to an unknown type of persecution within a definite period of time, 10 days,
- This ten days of persecution would occur during the generation to which this message was addressed:
o Satan's assault on that local church would be intense, but brief, 10 days.
“The problem of human suffering, even for a limited time, has always perplexed faithful Christians. Suffering can be expected for the ungodly, but why should the godly suffer? The Scriptures give a number of reasons. Suffering may be (1) disciplinary (1 Cor. 11:30–32; Heb. 12:3–13); (2) preventive (as Paul’s thorn in the flesh, 2 Cor. 12:7); (3) the learning of obedience (as Christ’s suffering, Heb. 5:8; cf. Rom. 5:3–5); (4) the providing of a better testimony for Christ (as in Acts 9:16). (John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 935).
v.10C,“. . . . be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
- Those in the church of Smyrna are challenged to remain faithful to Christ, even when facing death. Believers need not fear death because it will only result in their receiving the “crown of life.”
- Smyrna was famous for its athletic games. Each champion would receive the crown, a victory wreath:
o In ancient Rome, this was the most sought-after prize -- to have gained this wreath meant that one had done a special task for Rome and would be considered a patron of the empire.
o This can be compared to being knighted in England.
- In contrast, those who have suffered for their faith will receive "the crown of life" in God's Kingdom, not some human government’s recognition.
o The message to the Smyrna church is to remain faithful during their suffering, because God is in control, because His promises are reliable. What can we learn from that?
o Here on earth, the glories of eternal life stand in contrast to the trials of martyrdom and erase the darkness of persecution and death.
o We must remember that Jesus never taught that by being faithful to Him, believers would avoid troubles, suffering, and persecution. Rather, believers must be faithful to Christ, even when suffering. Only then will their faith be proved to be genuine.
o How is it possible for believers to remain faithful when they are suffering? By keeping their eyes on Christ and on what He promises for now and for our future.
o To better understand those who gave their lives for the gospel of Jesus, read stories found in Foxes’ Book of Martyrs.
v.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.”
- “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”:
o The command to hear is identical with the one to the church at Ephesus.
o Again, the idea is to listen very carefully to what the Spirit is saying to these churches. But it's listening with the intent of obeying.
o I think it's also important to note that the Spirit is speaking “to the churches” [plural] as a whole, even though the message is to an individual assembly of believers.
o As we study these messages to the individual churches, it's pretty clear that the Spirit is speaking to the whole church throughout its history.
o Just as the Spirit told the church at Ephesus, "he who has ears to hear let him hear," we also need to listen to what the Spirit has recorded for us in the Holy Scriptures.
v.11b, The next part of this verse is very, very interesting. Notice what Jesus says, “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.’”
- The promise from Jesus for the “overcomer” is protection from the second death:
o "Overcomers" were all those who had believed and received Christ as Savior.
- Though persecuted believers throughout history may suffer the first death (physical), they will never experience the second death, which is not annihilation, but conscious, eternal damnation in hell, which will be complete absence from God.
- How can we know that for sure from this passage?
o The structure of the Greek words "shall not," is expressed in the strongest possible negative that the Greek language can express.
o It's what we might call in English a “double negative,” "shall not, no not ever,” experience, or be hurt by, “the second death.”
o The world and its rejection of the Christian message can inflict martyrdom and terminate life in this world. But those who are faithful in their opportunity to receive Christ in this life are promised that they will not be overcome by the second death.
o The horrible destiny for those who depart this life without faith in Christ as Savior and Lord will be the second death, that is, eternal separation from God.
o Unbelievers are given over to that destiny at the Great White Throne judgment, which we will read about in Revelation 20:11-15.
o This is more than physical death. It is eternal death. It’s not an unconscious annihilation, but a conscious unending, eternal punishment.
I want to leave you with a quote from the late Dr. John Walvoord in his book, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, "The purifying fires of affliction caused the lamp of testimony to burn all the more brilliantly. The length of their trial, described here, as being 10 days, whether interpreted literally or not, is short in comparison with the eternal blessings, which would be theirs when their days of trial were over. They could be comforted by the fact that the sufferings of this present time do not continue forever, and their blessings that are ours in Christ, through His salvation and precious promises will go on through eternity.”
May the Lord keep you and bless you as you study His Word and grow in grace and truth.
By His Grace,
Gary T. Dromi, Ph.D., D.Min.
