Commission:
to the angel of the church in Smyrna. Smyrna
comes from the Greek word “myrrh”, a plant which, when crushed, gives off a
pleasant aroma. It is used for anointing
the dead. These are interesting truths
for the church in this city. Smyrna was a beautiful city, the crown city of Ionia. There was a temple for the goddess Cybele as
well as one for the worship of Rome.
When Christianity became the enemy of Rome it did for Smyrna as
well. Though controlled by the Turks
since 1402AD there is still a Christian element today in Smyrna (called Izmir,
the third largest city of Turkey).
Character
of Christ: the First and the Last,
who was dead, and came to life (1:17f).
Jesus is the heir of all things (Heb.
1:1-3), the one by whom and for whom all things were created (Col. 1:16). And He is the risen Lord!
Commendation:
Jesus has seen their works and the tribulation and poverty that characterize
their lives. The tribulation seems
linked especially to a synagogue of Satan,
indicating that the persecution came from the Jews. Perhaps as persecution had risen in the reign
of Domitian, the Jews in Smyrna sought to divert attention away from their
refusal to worship Rome by focusing attention on the Christians. Jesus notes that their poverty was only material, that in fact they were a
rich church spiritually (exactly opposite the Laodicean church, 3:17).
Condemnation:
There is no condemnation of this church.
Likely the church was cleansed of pretenders by the fires of
tribulation.
Correction:
Thus the correction becomes more words of comfort and encouragement. He does not tell them the testing will stop; rather,
it will continue with some being imprisoned.
He exhorts them not to be afraid but to be faithful. Some believe the reference to ten days refers to persecution of the
Church in the second and third centuries under ten different emperors, though
that is hard to substantiate. The Church
did suffer much in that time and perhaps Christ is using ten to convey to them the persecution will be for a definite but
limited time. One of the more memorable
moments in early church history came in 156AD when Polycarp (69-156AM; a
disciple of the Apostle John), “the bishop of Smyrna,” was martyred for
Christ. When called upon to worship the
Emperor he replied, “Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me
no wrong, how then can I blaspheme my King and Savior?”
Call:
He who has an ear let Him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches.
Challenge:
Besides the promise of the crown of life
to those who persevere Jesus reminds the church that overcomers will never be
hurt by the second death.
Consider this in your own life. Do you wilt under testing from those who
would resist your stand with and for Christ?
Does affliction create worry, fear or grumbling? Or does it cleanse and increase your likeness
to Christ?
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