B. Smyrna Is Commended by Jesus
Verse 9 tells us that this church was a working church, but also a very poor church in material things; however, they were very rich in the things that count-in the things of the spirit. This verse also says they were undergoing tribulation (persecution) and suffering. Many in this church were going to be put in prison or killed for their faith in Christ.
In life or death Jesus would always be with them. Jesus prepares them for suffering by letting them know that He is the First and the Last. He was already here in the beginning, and He will be around when the world is gone. He is the eternal one; but He became a man so that He could die for us.
C. Jesus Is Our Example of Suffering
A body was prepared for Jesus in the womb of Mary so that He could give the life of His body as a sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:5, 10). He was killed, but He didn't remain dead. He came back to life, and He is alive forevermore. Praise God! He lets them know that death is not the end. According to 1 Cor. 15:22-23 Jesus was the first to rise from the dead never to die again. When He comes back from heaven, those who belong to Him will also come back to life and go to live forever with Him. Jesus tells them not to be afraid. Must they suffer prison and death? That is no problem. He has been there and done that. Of course it would involve suffering on their part, but in the end it will be worth it (Rom. 8:18).
D. Death Is Not To Be Feared
Jesus did not want the Christians of Smyrna to fear death. He said in Matt. 10:28 that we should not fear those who only can kill the body. The one we should really fear is Him who is able to kill both body and soul in hell. In Rev. 20:14 and 21:8 this is called "the second death." This is the death we want to avoid. In verse 11 he assures the church in Smyrna that if they overcome they will not have to worry about the second death, since it will not touch them. In this case to overcome means to be faithful during the persecution, even to the point of death. Don't be afraid of what they can do to you (verse 10). This suffering was to be a test of their faith. Jesus admonishes them to be faithful unto death and He will give them the crown of life. He is asking them to be faithful even if it costs them their life.
E. A Period of Suffering Was Coming to the Saints in Smyrna
Jesus told the church that they would have tribulation ten days (verse 10). This would mean imprisonment and death for many, but for those who were faithful it would result in eternal life. The real source of this persecution is the Devil (Satan) just as it was really the Devil who caused all of Job's suffering (see Job 1 - 2). Satan is the one who directs the rulers of the nations and the people of the world to persecute Christians.
Just what does Jesus mean by ten days? If He means ten literal days, it would be an extremely short persecution. Ten years would be more like it. Since Revelation was signified (given in symbols) to John, perhaps this has a symbolic meaning. The number ten is often used to signify a small amount or short period of time, but there are several instances in the Old Testament where a day is used to mean a year (see Appendix B). Maybe Jesus means a period of approximately ten years. Church history tells us that there was just such a period of persecution in that region soon after John wrote this.
While John was writing the Revelation Pliny the Younger was a senator of Rome under Emperor Domitian. In the early second century the Roman Emperor Trajan put Pliny the Younger in charge of enforcing emperor worship in portions of Asia Minor. Trajan and Pliny wrote many letters to each other which have been preserved and translated into English. Pliny felt that the Christians were harmless, and tried to get Trajan to go easy on them. In response Trajan wrote that Pliny should not go looking for Christians to persecute, but if any were brought to his attention, he was to ask them to prove their loyalty to Trajan by sprinkling incense on the altar fire in worship to the emperor's image. If they would do this they could go free. If they refused, they would be imprisoned or killed, and their property confiscated, leaving their families destitute. Pliny did his job, and the families of many Christians lost their fathers and husbands, as well as their property and means of making a living. This persecution went on for approximately ten years in that region.
F. False Jews Lead the Persecution
The false Jews of Smyrna led in the persecution. I doubt that the church in Smyrna met in the Jewish synagogue, since the Jews there hated them. In fact, they were stirring up persecution against the Christians. Verse 9 calls them false Jews. Paul wrote that a real Jew is a person whose heart is right with God, and real circumcision takes place in the heart (Rom. 2:28-29; Col. 2:11). In the persecution which the Romans brought against this region, the Jews were the ones who rushed to gather the wood used for burning Christian leaders at the stake. According to Fox's Book of Martyrs, this is how Polycarp died.
G. This Letter Is Applicable Today
What does this letter have to do with me? It was written over 1900 years ago to a church far off in what is now Turkey. What can it possibly say to me in the 21st century?
As a matter of fact, there were more Christians killed for their faith in the 20th century than in all the centuries before this put together. Amazing but true! Jesus says in verse 13 that if we have an ear we should listen to what He says to Smyrna. Persecution is still going on today, in the beginning of the 21st century, even as I write this.
Not many years ago the government of Uganda was targeting Christians, and killing Christian ministers. By the grace of God that country now respects Christianity, and many Christians are in positions of influence in the different levels of government. A missionary friend in Uganda lives under constant threat of death, because the godless guerillas from across the border in the Congo have put out a "contract" on his life. Thank God that He has seen fit to protect him so far. There is a very real possibility that we may be called on to suffer persecution and death because of our faith in Christ. What should we do? The assurance and admonition given to Smyrna is for us also. If we want that crown of eternal life we must be faithful even if it costs our lives. I want it! Don't you?
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