The Seven Churches: Smyrna

How would you like to get a letter saying unavoidable suffering was coming your way? And that the devil himself would be behind it, taking a personal interest in the pain he would be inflicting. You might stop checking the mail after that one! You would probably hope that the sender got it wrong. The trouble is this Sender is Jesus and you know He knows what He’s talking about. Oh, you’ll check your mail all right—even more frequently now that you know you need every word from “the mouth of God” to survive the coming ordeal.[1] This was Smyrna’s predicament. It was also their hope of glory.

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. Revelation 2:10

All scripture citations are from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.

Chief Characteristics

Whole books are written about most of these crucial components. These characteristics are summaries of what is grounded in scripture, not fabricated through speculation.[2] Speculation is trying to “see” more than we are being shown. What we see by Biblical revelation is real enough, but a fuller view will only come as these still distant components draw nearer.

Travellers, commerce and correspondence from Greece or Italy would arrive at Asia Minor's major seaport, Ephesus, then journey up the coast towards Pergamum, before turning east on the interior highway to Laodicea. The letter to the church at Smyrna would have been the second letter delivered.

Map of the Seven Churches

Now called Izmir and presently the third largest city in Turkey, ancient Smyrna earns the distinction of being truly ancient. Having survived in almost continuous settlement for the last 5,000 years, Smyrna outlived its distant contemporary, Troy of Homer’s “Iliad” fame. Being situated close to Greece was an advantage. Alexander the Great re-founded Smyrna after it had lain uninhabited for three hundred years. It quickly recovered its former wealth and prominence. The city Paul would have known from his missionary travels was a thriving commercial center competing with Ephesus and Pergamum to be Rome’s foremost city in Asia. Smyrna was celebrated for its wealth, beauty, library, school of medicine, and rhetorical tradition.[3] Nevertheless, the devil used this cultural metropolis as a staging ground for his attack against the church Paul planted. The cultured elites of our day are likely to do the same. Paul’s trenchant observation still applies.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 1 Corinthians 1:26

Pre-Figured in Scripture

Every crucial component of the Last Days has already “appeared” in the Biblical prophetic narrative in the past, somewhat like a dress rehearsal for the final drama. These foreshadows are called “types” because they precede their ultimate expression (the “antitype”).[4] As shadows of the future reality, however, they cast a revealing light of their own.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: The Fiery Furnace

These young Israelite men either put us to shame or show us the way to go, depending on how you look at it. While still newly appointed to service in King Nebuchadnezzar’s province of Babylon, these faithful Jews quietly refused to bow to his image. For this unpretentious act of faithfulness to their God, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were “maliciously accused” by enemies jealous of their access to the king.[5] The indignant king flew into a rage every bit as hot as his famous furnace. Knowing it wouldn’t help to appeal to the deranged king—a precursor of the antichrist to come—they cast themselves upon the mercy of heaven.

Apparently, they believed that God could save them, but they didn’t know He would. That consideration was beside the point, however. No matter what, they would rather die than take the mark. Sorry, that should have read, “bow to the image.” Without the gospel to guide them, with only the Hebrew scriptures to support them, they boldly declared that they had an unshakeable hope of heaven (if all other hope failed). These are true heroes of the faith! Jesus would be asking the same measure of devotion to be displayed by His beloved believers in Smyrna. The same enemy was after them. He was working through different human vessels, but his hatred of the saints remained as red hot as ever. Soon, he will be turning his ire in our direction. His rage is unabated. Our God remains undefeated. Let us be undeterred.

“If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18

The Book of Revelation Chapter 2:8-11

The Bible exposes the secret plans and deceptive operations of the dark kingdom, even as it unveils the glorious realities of what our God is doing. The truths of scripture are, therefore, our rock-solid building blocks for interpreting the times we are entering. Nevertheless, for biblical information to become true revelation both prayer and the Holy Spirit are needed.

To the Church in Smyrna

"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. Revelation 2:8

This second letter begins with the now familiar address “to the angel of the church” in Smyrna.[6] The words John is being told to write would not be necessary for an angel to read. It's for the believers. The unfallen celestial beings have 20/20 spiritual sight and perfect memories. They neither need to be told nor reminded who Jesus is (“the first and last”) or what He has done (“died and came to life”). But we do. We need a lot of encouragement on that score, so difficult it is for us to ascend to those heights of spiritual sight which angels (possibly) take for granted. They see daily—in the unfading light of heaven’s eternal day—exactly who sits on the throne and they are in entire agreement with all His decrees.

We need coaxing on that score too. Not every path He wants us to take, not everything He wants us to release seems to hold the promise of life. Jesus is, therefore, providing encouragement for the believers in Smyrna by reminding them—in advance—that the One who will be giving them some bad news about upcoming events, is the Author of the gospel’s good news. They (and we) will be asked to walk into an uncertain, forbidding future, but the One leading the way has already proven His power to conquer death with life. He knows how all this will work out in the end, because neither end nor beginning are beyond His knowing: He is Himself “the first and the last”—the “Author and Finisher” of our race.[7]

"'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. Revelation 2:9

Jesus sees with compassion their embattled condition. “Tribulation” means trouble, but of a special kind that usually has persecution added to it. Poverty, for instance, would be struggle enough for the average person’s faith and life, but these believers must also contend with the sting of “slander”—of unjustified accusations hurled against them. The troublemakers "say" they are of Jewish descent and belief (these typically are one and the same), but Jesus sees them differently. The synagogue where they gather to worship does not center around Him, but the evil one. Theirs is a “synagogue of Satan.”

We have all been forewarned by Jesus that a day is coming when even those who kill us will believe they are doing God a favor.[8] For the Smyrna believers that day is rapidly approaching, though at the moment perhaps all they have contended with is expulsion from the synagogue. Such “excommunication” and the accompanying “anathemas” (formal curses) became a common way of making Jewish Christians feel blamed for the Temple’s destruction two decades earlier. After all, it was the Christians’ leader who (they may have alleged) brought the curse by prophesying the disaster.

That Jesus sees us differently than our detractors is cause for celebration. There is “no condemnation” for those who are in Christ Jesus.[9] Not only that, but He will allow no tongue raised against us to prosper.[10] So, the position of these believers is secure. In fact, it is far better than they believe it to be. That’s because the other side of this coin is that Jesus also sees us differently than we see ourselves. The Smyrna Christians thought of themselves as poor—and may have “slandered” themselves and their God by saying so. Not so, dear saints! Jesus says, “but you are rich.” It’s a gentle (parenthetical) reminder that they won the spiritual lottery when He popped the question and they said, “Yes.” They (as we) are inheritors of the boundless, “unsearchable riches of Christ.”[11] Never think for one moment that your spiritual pockets are empty!

Now comes the unwanted news. Perhaps they were already reading the writing on the wall and hoping it could be erased. Persecution of this magnitude doesn’t grow in a vacuum. Telltale signs like squishy spots of mold on a rotting wall betray the vile thing growing beneath the surface. What they fear is about to happen. They will indeed “suffer.” Some will be thrown “into prison.” Others will need to be “faithful unto death.” As a church they will all fall into the hands of “the devil” himself, but they do not have to fall into fear. Why? Those who are faithful will be given “the crown of life.”

Here is a threefold source of confidence. First, Jesus knows what is coming. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He already has counter measures in place. Second, He set limits to it— “ten days.” This doesn’t tell us how long, nor would it have them. It isn’t a secret code we’re meant to crack, but a word to keep them from breaking under pressure: The time is fixed and relatively brief. Hang on! By Paul’s own letters they would know that Jesus won’t let them “be tested” beyond their ability (in Him) to bear it.[12] Finally, Jesus will make sure that the reward outweighs the pain of the passage.[13] Not just this trial, but the “crown of life” is also set before them.

Some say that there are five crowns in heaven waiting for believers to receive.[14] There is no need to investigate them here, only to know that they are there. This tells us that our Lord knows how to reward faithfulness. His own love of loyalty is such that He prizes it when He sees it showing up in us. Perhaps you’re thinking you don’t need a crown. A Mercedes-Benzes maybe (a la Janis Joplin) or not even that. Anyway, who needs a crown? When would you wear it? Just let the Lord decide that one. Don’t you love the image of those twenty-four elders in heaven casting down their crowns before the Lamb?[15] Now that’s the way to give praise! It is such a beautiful witness to His worth. Well, how could they do that if they didn’t have crowns? They are promised to us, too, if—the big IF—we are faithful.

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 2:11

For a second time in this book, we are asked to use our ears to hear. After the somewhat bleak forecast for the future they (we) just received, we need to hear with the kind of listening that grows faith. “Faith comes by hearing” and hearing comes by the word of God which brings the gospel—the “word of Christ’’—home to our hearts.[16] Only faith rising in the heart has strength to help us persevere. Only trust that flows from faith in a river of peace has the power to crush our enemies beneath our feet.[17] Faith first, then faithfulness can readily follow. Reverse the order and it’s a grueling, uphill battle usually ending in a defeated, downhill slide. Jesus is speaking words of faith to enkindle faith so that won’t happen. Not for these believers. Not for us either.

The “second death”—the lake of fire—will never be known to us. It is reserved for those who refused to die to self in this life, those who rejected the way of faith and grace. The first death is the one we all pass through, for “it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 MKJV). When judgment comes at the Great White Throne, there will be no remedy for those who were not found faithful in this life. Then, it will be too late. Until then, while there is still breath within us, it is always possible to repent, get faith and become faithful.

Next Piece of the Puzzle

Letter 3: Pergamum What do you do when the world’s depravity is weaponized against you? What if you’re living in the very heart of the enemy’s empire? How do you handle it when you have to pass Satan’s throne on your way to work? Sound extreme? This was daily life for the believers who dwelt where Satan reigned. If you can’t run from such a place, you run to Jesus to keep you safe. Jesus calls on the Pergamum church to do just that—stick close. Hold fast, listen well and repent so that they can conquer this extreme situation. It’s good advice for us, too.

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Endnotes

[1] Jesus is the living Word, the “mouth of God,” ever speaking life-giving truths to His people: And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3

[2] Cambridge Dictionary defines speculation as “the act of guessing possible answers to a question without having enough information to be certain.” It derives from the Latin word “speculari” which means “to look at, view, observe” and originally indicated “close observation and intelligent contemplation.” By the late 1500s it gained the disparaging sense it carries today of “mere conjecture.” See etymonline.com.

[3] https://www.britannica.com/place/Izmir

[4] Adam is the type; Jesus, the “second Adam” is the antitype: Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. Romans 5:14

[5] Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. Daniel 3:8

[6] This cannot mean that only an angelic dignitary from the invisible realms is the intended recipient, since the rest of the letter makes it clear that Jesus is sending both encouragement and correction to the church’s Christian believers. It does, however, reveal to us that this church has an angel who is over it in some ordained role: as a watchman, a helper or guardian, or a ministering spirit. In fact, according to Jesus’ previous greeting to John, we know that all seven of the churches has its own angel. Does this mean that every Christian church everywhere also has its own angel? Due to silence on this point, it is impossible to say from scripture one way or the other, although the likely supposition would be that this is indeed the case, since God shows no partiality. What then is our protocol for addressing them? What are their proper responsibilities over us and what are ours to them? More silence! (from “Letter 1: Ephesus”)

[7] Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 MKJV

[8] They shall put you out of the synagogue. But an hour is coming that everyone who kills you will think that he bears God service. John 16:2

[9] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

[10] No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17

[11] To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8

[12] No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

[13] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

[14] “The Five Crowns, also known as the Five Heavenly Crowns, is a concept in Christian theology that pertains to the five crowns that individuals can receive after the Last Judgment. These are the Crown of Life, the Incorruptible Crown, the Crown of Righteousness, the Crown of Glory, and the Crown of Exultation.” Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_crowns

[15] The twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:10-11

[16] So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

[17] The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:20