January 6 - Revelation. Smyrna.

January 6 – Revelation. Smyrna.

Revelation 2:8-11

The second stop this missive made was another harbor city. Smyrna was an important commercial center and one of the main centers for the cult of emperor worship. Under Nero and Domitian, severe persecution of Christians existed. The city continues to exist today, though it is now known as Izmir and is one of the strongest cities in Turkey.

Word pictures were important ways to communicate. For instance, the word Smyrna is taken from the same root as ‘myrrh.’ Given to Jesus at His birth by the Magi, it is a funeral spice, used to preserve the body until it is buried. Jesus presents himself to these people as one who died and came to life (Rev. 2:8).

Smyrna called itself “First of Asia.” They even had coins minted stating that. It was a planned city, the streets and buildings highly organized. The blocks were rectangular and regular, fountains were in the city, beautiful breezes blew from the east and the west to keep it moderate – even in the summer.

The church in Smyrna was poor. They lived amid amazing wealth. Jesus assured them, though that they weren’t. The Bishop of the church in Smyrna was Polycarp. He was martyred there at the age of 86. The Jews living there called for his death and even gathered wood to burn him alive. He would have been listening to these words as they were read to the church. The Jews had completely separated themselves from the Christians by this point and encouraged persecution of this sect that had broken away from them.

Jesus’ next words would have filled them with assurance, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10)

Smyrna was also famous for its games. The crown Jesus’ spoke of was a victor’s wreath. The city was also known as the “Crown of Smyrna” because the buildings were built up around the sides of Mt. Pagus to look like a crown. (see the word pictures?)

The ten days in this verse has been discussed over and over by scholars and there is no definitive answer for its use here. Generally it is thought to mean that there will be persecution, but it will be just for a short time. There will be an end to what they have to face.

“He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.” (Rev. 2:11)

This is another phrase that draws a lot of conclusion. It is explained more fully in Revelation 20:14-15 and Rev. 21:8. The lake of fire is the second death which is where all those that refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Savior will spend eternity.

Overcomers will never see this. The church in Smyrna faced poverty and affliction and were about to face extreme persecution. Jesus assured them He would be with them. He told them in the beginning that He had overcome death. He told them at the end that they would overcome death. He knew this church. He knows you. He will be with you as well.