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To the angel of the church in Smyrna write… (Revelation 2:8a, NASB1995).
Note the map below, with the Isle of Patmos in red, Ephesus and Smyrna both in blue, and the rest of the churches in a semicircle. The Apostle John follows this geographical pattern in writing the letters to the seven churches in Revelation, chapters 1 and 2.
Today, we consider the letter to Smyrna.
What would be our response on a Sunday morning if the Pastor stood up and said, “Brothers and sisters, we have a letter to read today from our dear Apostle John, living in exile for his faithfulness to Jesus.”
Unrolling the scroll, knowing the church has been undergoing persecution, and hoping that John will tell them about peace soon to come or show appreciation for the many baptisms the past weekend, the Pastor reads…
The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: 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 (Revelation 2:8b-9).
The Pastor pauses reading while thinking, “Well, at least Jesus doesn’t confront us for losing our first love, as he did with the letter to Ephesus.” Then he (and probably the rest of the assembled) considers, “Maybe this letter gets more positive.”
The Pastor continues reading…
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
Not the encouraging word the Church of Smyrna wanted, and not a popular word for any church existing today. This message would have been difficult for the Apostle John to pen, as he was the last of the original 12 apostles, knowing that the other 11 had been martyred, along with the Apostle Paul.
The cause of this persecution in Smyrna was the political influence of Satan’s synagogue, mentioned earlier in the letter, which was Romanized Jews desiring to escape the fate of the Jews in Israel, who had rebelled against Rome, resulting in the destruction of Jerusalem.
These Jews wanted nothing to do with Christians (considered a Jewish cult) and probably incited the Romans to persecute them.
The Pastor finishes the letter…
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:11).
The hope for the soon-to-be persecuted church in Smyrna, for those martyred throughout history, and for the trials of Christians today, is victory over the second death!
Historically, we know that Polycarp — a disciple of the Apostle John and an ancient church father — was the Pastor of the church in Smyrna when he was arrested and burned at the stake, about 50 years after the first reading of the letter to the Church in Smyrna.
Polycarp, as he was being led to his death, was given an opportunity to recant, but refused by saying…
“I have served Jesus for eighty and six years, how can I blaspheme my King and Savior? You threaten me with fire that burns and then is quenched; you are ignorant of the eternal fire that burns prepared for the wicked. I bless you, Father, for judging me worthy of this hour, so that in the company of many martyrs I may share the cup of Christ.”
Polycarp died, perhaps he was the Pastor who first read the letter to the Church in Smyrna, but even if not the Pastor who read those words from Jesus, Polycarp knew the words “You will not be hurt by the second death.”
Let us be found faithful when You come, Lord Jesus!