8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
9 “‘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. 10 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. 11 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.’
- Revelation 2:8-11
The second of Christ’s letters is addressed to the church at Smyrna. The city is known today as Izmir and its large, secure harbor continues to allow the city to be a major center of commerce and trade. In the ancient world the city was known for its wealth as well as its loyalty to the Roman Emperor. To the believers of this city Jesus speaks once again as the Great Prophet of the churches, reminding them that He is “the first and the last, who died and came to life.” In this description Jesus reminds these believers of both His divinity and humanity. Although they are suffering, they can trust in His sovereign power even as they are reminded of His own suffering and death which He has overcome in victory.
The circumstances in which the church finds themselves are then described as Christ’s tells them that He knows of the economic and verbal persecution which they are experiencing. While this persecution was certainly directed towards them from the surrounding culture, the harshness of Jesus’ words towards the Jews within the city seem to indicate that they played a significant role in the church’s persecution. In spite of the church’s poverty and the slander they have experienced, Jesus considers them truly rich and the Jews who persecute them to be servants of Satan rather than servants of God. The Lord exhorts them therefore not to fear their enemies but to prepare themselves for coming persecution which Satan is going to bring upon them. Jesus calls them to be faithful unto death, as He Himself was, and they will be crowned with eternal life.
Because they are facing physical death, Jesus’ final promise to them concerns true life and death. All who are born into this world must face death, but those who remain in rebellion against God will face a second death. The Book of Revelation goes on to define the second death as the Lake of Fire, the place of torment where God’s enemies are punished eternally. Although these believers may be conquered by the world and experience physical death, Jesus reminds them that believers will overcome the world when they are raised to life with Christ. They need not fear death because Christ has conquered on their behalf and they will never be hurt by the second death.
Christians must not fear the economic or verbal persecution of the world but must continue to worship Christ and to be His faithful witnesses. We can do these things with confidence because Jesus Himself experienced persecution and death and has empowered us to face these things just as He did, by the power of His Spirit!
Join us this Sunday as we gather around God’s Word to worship our risen Savior!
Soli Deo Gloria.
-Thomas