Seven Letters to Seven Churches: Smyrna
Posted By Joe on November 16, 2009
- Seven Letters to Seven Churches: Introduction
- Seven Letters to Seven Churches: Ephesus
- Seven Letters to Seven Churches: Smyrna
- Seven Letters to Seven Churches: Pergamum
- Seven Letters to Seven Churches: Thyatira
- Seven Letters to Seven Churches: Sardis
- Seven Letters to Seven Churches: Philadelphia
- Seven Letters to Seven Churches: Laodicea
Jesus' first letter was written to the apostolic church of Ephesus. That church had a word of commendation from Jesus as well as a word of condemnation. Although the church wasn't perfect, it was the church at its best.
Smyrna: The Church of Suffering
Smyrna is a seaport city located about 35 miles north of Ephesus. It still exists today but is now called Izmir. It was the center of the imperial cult of Rome and emperor worship.
This church is the martyr church. The word "Smyrna" is transliterated Greek and means "myrrh." Myrrh is a bitter gum and costly perfume which exudes from a certain tree or shrub in Arabia and Ethiopia, or is obtained by incisions made in the bark: as an antiseptic it was used for embalming. Myrrh is frequently associated with death as a result.
Myrrh figures prominently in the life of Christ even from His birth. When the three kings came to visit the baby Jesus, myrrh was one of the three gifts presented to Him (Matthew 2:11). It was symbolic of His role as prophet and His sacrificial death on the cross.
While Ephesus had praise and condemnation, Jesus only had praise for Smyrna.
Smyrna represents the martyred church during the period of A.D. 100 to about A.D. 314, or the period from the death of John the Apostle to the Edict given by Constantine which ended the persecution of Christians.
Jesus' Letter to the Church at Smyrna
"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." --Revelation 2:8.
Here is Jesus' second description of Himself. Here He describing His awesome power over all things including life and death. This would be important for persecuted Christians who are risking their lives for the gospel. It gives us the reassurance that though the world may take our life, if we submit to it for the sake of the gospel, Jesus has the power to raise us up from death.
The Good News
"'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. 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 2:9-10.
Like Ephesus, there are seven things Jesus praises Symrya for:
- Tribulation
- Poverty
- Their deep faith and commitment
- Bravery in the midst of coming persecution
- Being successfully tested in prison
- Submission to ten intense periods of persecution
- Being faithful unto death
Note the contrast of the "poverty" of Smyrna. Jesus adds a footnote to this by saying "but you are rich." When we look at the Laodicean church, Jesus won't have such praise for that church.
In church history, there were ten periods of persecution by Roman emperors. The names and dates are (approximately):
- Nero -- 64-68 A.D. (Paul beheaded under Nero)
- Domitian -- 95-96 (John exiled)
- Trajan -- 104-117 (Ignatius burned at the stake)
- Marcus Aurelius -- 161-180 (Polycarp martyred)
- Severus -- 200-211
- Maximinius -- 235-237
- Decius -- 250-253
- Valerian -- 257-260
- Aurelian -- 270-275
- Diocletian -- 303-313 (worst emperor of all)
The Promise to the Overcomer
"'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.
Just like in Jesus' letter to the Ephesian church, "the Spirit" is the Holy Spirit, the Teacher of the church. The "overcomer" is the true believer. Jesus promises that those who die for the sake of the gospel, will never be cast into hell, "the second death."
Dwight L. Moody is quoted as saying:
"He who is born once will die twice; he who is born twice will die once."
If you have not been born again ("born twice"), then now is the time to do so. Don't die twice!
This is the persecuted church: the church of Smyrna.
Next time we will study the letter to the church at Pergamum, the pagan church.
May He Increase!
About the author
" Jesus promises that those who die for the sake of the gospel, will never be cast into hell, "the second death."
Dr. Tozer used to say, "Len, you knew one thing about a man that was carrying a cross out of a city, you knew he wasn't coming back."
That is what Jesus meant when He spoke of taking up one's own cross to follow Him. And that is why He demanded that we count the cost carefully. He was calling for an exchange of all that we are for all that He is.
Ike, amen. I fear that this is what is lacking in so many churches today. There is no "counting the cost." It's all health, wealth, and prosperity teaching. It's a false gospel. It ain't about what God can do for you to make your life easier! It's about picking up your cross and dying to yourself every day to bring HIM glory!
Love the Tozer quote. Thanks for sharing it!
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