Smyrna was a very famous city.  It was destroyed in ~580 B.C. but then purposely rebuilt in ~290 B.C.  It was an outlet for trade and known for its beauty.  It was one of the first cities to worship the Roman Emperor and build a temple to him (Tiberius).  There was also a temple to the goddess of Rome in Smyrna.

 

v.8 – “the first and the last…” – (see 1:18) – resurrection reference.

            Very appropriate for a city that died and was now alive again.

            “The One who died and came to life again…” – Jesus

 

v.9 – Christ is aware of their condition and the things they suffer …

            “afflictions” – serious trouble – burden that crushes.

-         knowing at any moment they could be imprisoned or executed

-         yet they go on in the face of such tension

“poverty” – extreme poverty – they had nothing at all

-         they had a spiritual richness that has nothing to do with this world’s wealth

-         Christianity was illegal and an easy target by Jews

-         they  were stripped of everything because of their faith

(What have you given up because of Jesus?)

-         such hatred that Jews violated their own Sabbath to execute Polycarp many years later – Jesus was ridiculed for healing on the Sabbath

 

“slander of those who say they are Jews and are not”

-         they only had the outward identity of their race – born in a Hebrew line

they were circumcised, and followed other traditions – Not enough for God!

-         they worshipped with their lips but their hearts were far from Him

-         they slandered the people of God by their actions

-         they were a “synagogue of Satan” – the accuser of the brethren (12:10)

-         they accused, oppressed, robbed, in the name of their religion

 

v.10 – “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.”

            A comforting encouragement from the Lord?  How do you feel?

God is aware of what is about to happen to them and assures them not to fear.  Then He reveals the situation to them…

“The Devil” and those he uses will put them in prison.  However, this is a “test,” and they will be persecuted.  God will see them through the test.  It will be for a limited period – (10 days – same as Daniel’s test – see. Dan. 1:12-15).  God has the final say.  Even though this is carried out by Satan, etc., he doesn’t have absolute power or authority. 

Jesus tells them – “Be faithful, even to the point of death …” – Have you ever been tested?  Was it to the point of death before the trial ended?  Sickness?  Prison?  Did you remain faithful?  No matter what?  Will you remain faithful if something happens?  What if your very life was on the line?  Would you remain faithful?

John shows that  true life  - God’s “crown of life” – is offered to the “faithful” only.  We will all die at some point, but not all will enjoy the reward of eternity with God.  Which life is more important?  This one or the next?  Which do you think is more important to God?  Which will you choose?  Remain faithful, and so, choose true life promised by God. 

“Crown of life” – the victor’s reward at the games of old.  A wreath placed on the head of the winner.  Again, we see the victory idea here.  The faithful are victorious over evil schemes.  They are rewarded with eternal life by the King.  Smyrna was famous for its Games – They understood this symbolism very well.

 

v.11 – “He who has an ear …” – we already talked about this in the letter to Ephesus.

“He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.” – We’ll talk more about the second death later in Revelation.  For now, it is the opposite of eternal life.  “The over comer will certainly not be harmed.”  These words would carry their full weight when the people would soon face heavy persecution and martyrdom.  Everything they believed hung on this promise.  These words would give them the strength and fortitude to face what was in store without fear.  Do you have that kind of faith?  Are you absolutely sure of your future after this life?  The Lord is speaking us as well, and showing us all that we can be sure.  We can face anything in the future without fear if we are anchored in Christ and are victorious through our faith in Him.