Revelation 2:8-11

THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA

Revelation 2:8-11

Rev 2:8  "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the One who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive: Rev 2:9  "I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan.

There is an enormous amount of information that you need to have in order to understand what is being said. I am using the Life Application New Testament Commentary to help you understand some of this. It is not my writing but theirs, regardless, it is something that is needed to understand.   "Smyrna received permission (over several other cities who requested) to build a temple to the emperor Tiberius in 23 B.C.. Under the emperor Domitian (who ruled from A.D. 81 to 96), emperor worship was required for all Roman citizens. Those who refused could receive the death penalty. Once a year, all citizens were required to burn incense on an altar to Caesar, after which they would receive a certificate proving that they had done their civil duty. While this was more an act of political loyalty than a religious act, the citizen had to say, while burning the incense, “Caesar is lord.” Many Christians considered this act blasphemous and refused to do it.

In addition to being a center for the imperial cult, Smyrna also had a large Jewish population that actively opposed the Christians. Thus, the church in this city struggled against two hostile forces: a Gentile population that was loyal to Rome and supported emperor worship and a large Jewish population strongly opposed to Christianity. Persecution and suffering were inevitable in that kind of environment.

The description of Christ given to this small church on the verge of being snuffed out by persecution is that Christ is the First and the Last, who died and is alive (see Rev_1:17-18). Although this church was almost dead due to persecution, Christ was reminding them that he was sovereign and eternal. No matter what they faced, Christ already knew about it; as the “First and the Last,” nothing could take him by surprise. Christ identified himself as the one who died and came back to life again. Even if believers have to suffer to the point of death, Christ, the one who “came to life again,” would raise them to eternal life with him."

Rev 2:10  Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. Rev 2:11  "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.

As you have read above the Christians who did not do what Rome had done could receive the death penalty. We as Christians have had persecution from the media and other sects but never under the threat of death. What would you have done? What if you had a family, then what would you have done. The level of devotion one would have had to have was enormous. These words from John were paramount to their continuation as Christians.

Agape

Dave