A letter to the church at Smyrna

Our third city visited was Izmir, the ancient Smyrna. Here we visited just a small section of the ancient Agora, or marketplace, and John again shared with us about the letter to the church.

The Witnessing Church II: Safety for Suffering Saints

Revelation 2:8-11

“Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.”

            Eusebius of Caesarea, recognized as the “Father of Church History,” describes the tradition that grew up around the martyrdom of Polycarp, a bishop of the church in Smyrna, who was in his twenties when Revelation was written.  Polycarp was taught by the apostles who had actually seen Christ and instructed others in the doctrine he had learned from them.  A letter from Polycarp’s churches described grotesque persecutions of victims that revealed inner body organs and exposure to wild beast.  As a result of these persecutions, Polycarp retreated to a farm outside the city where he prayed and received a vision that he would die in flames.  His persecutors found him by torturing two boys to force them to reveal his whereabouts.  When his persecutors arrived, he prepared a table for them and begged that he might pray for one hour.  Some who heard him pray repented. 

            After he finished praying, he was conducted on the Sabbath to the city where he met Herod and his father.  They implored him, “What harm is it to say, “Lord Caesar and to offer sacrifice and to be saved?”  When Polycarp responded, “I am not going to do what you council me,” they threw him from the vehicle in which they were traveling, and he sprained his thigh. 

            Polycarp was then taken to the city stadium where the proconsul encouraged him: “Swear by the genius of Caesar, repent.”  Polycarp refused.  When the proconsul threatened to throw him to the wild beasts, Polycarp responded, “Call for them.”  Upon being threatened with fire, he affirmed: “You threaten with the fire that burns for a time, and is quickly quenched, for you do not know the fire that awaits the wicked … everlasting punishment.  But why are you waiting?  Come, do what you will.”  The crowd in Smyrna cried out that Polycarp should be burned alive and gathered wood and straw for the flame.  Polycarp asked that he not be secured with spikes so that he could bear the fire without restraint. 

            After the fire was kindled, the flames surrounded him like an oven so that they did not consume him but purified him like gold or silver in a furnace.  Moreover, the persecution fire gave off a fragrant odor like incense.  When the executioner realized that the fire would not consume the victim, he plunged his sword into Polycarp.  So much blood gushed out that the fire was extinguished.

            Eusebius affirms that Polycarp’s death inspired others to undergo death for the cause of Christ.  Indeed, the message of Christ in the letter to the persecuted church at Smyrna has been a comfort to all who are persecuted throughout history: “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.”  The persecution in Smyrna came from two religious groups – the worshippers of Caesar and the Jews.  Smyrna was the first city to erect a temple for the worship of Rome.  Each citizen was required to burn a pinch of incense and say, “Caesar is Lord.”  At times, certificates were issued that were necessary for buying food for survival.  So, much pressure was put on Christians to worship Caesar.  Christians were also persecuted by the Jewish population in Smyrna.  The Roman government had granted Jews exemption from Caesar worship, and they were jealous of that exemption.  Perhaps they were afraid of losing it if other groups wanted similar exclusion.  In addition, Christians won converts from Judaism. 

            We do not know much about the church in Smyrna, but we do know from Revelation that it was standing firm in the face of intense suffering.  Yet Christ has advice for the church at Smyrna that is also relevant for any Christians that are suffering persecution.  Christ says: “I know your affliction and your poverty.”  The word “affliction” means pressure or crushing weight, and is the used for the great tribulation.  Therefore, the suffering of the Smyrnans is part of the great tribulation that comes upon the whole earth.   This affliction reduced them to “poverty,” which means absolute destitution.  Their stand against emperor worship made it difficult for them to earn a living.  Moreover, they were slandered by the Jewish population of Smyrna.  The word “slander” is literally “blasphemy,” a word that means defamation or abuse.  Clearly, the Smyrnans can serve as a model for persecuted Christians today. 

Christ’s word to all who suffer persecution is: “Do not fear.”  Persecution made the church at Smyrna so strong that Christ had only praise and no criticism for them.  Jesus says elsewhere that those who we follow him can expect persecution, but that persecution can be strengthening.

Nevertheless, tribulation should not be taken for granted.  Christ attributes persecution to the devil, the slanderous adversary who lies and deceives.  Christ warns that the devil will throw some of them into prison, where beatings were likely.  Christ says that the purpose of the persecution is for their testing.  God allows the devil to test the faith of Christians to give them the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to Christ.  But the affliction is only for “ten days.”  Time is often used symbolically in Revelation.  Ten days refers to a short period.  The message is: “Hang in there!  It will be over soon.”

If they do hang in there and are faithful even to the point of death, they are promised a “crown of life.”  In the athletic events held in the stadium of Smyrna, the victors were not given a trophy or a medal as they are today.  They were given a crown consisting of a wreath of leaves.  In contrast, Christians in Smyrna who are faithful to Christ in the face of persecution from Rome or the Jews will win for themselves a crown of gold.  But the crown is symbolic of something far more important – life, eternal life. 

The negative way of saying that they will receive eternal life is that they “will not be harmed by the second death.”  The first death is physical death.  We are not promised immunity from the first death; indeed, all of us will die physically.  The second death is the judgment of God and eternal punishment.  Nevertheless, those who are faithful even to the point of physical death will not experience the second death.  Indeed, the promise of eternal life means the avoidance eternal death.  The faithful witness who overcomes persecution will escape eternal punishment.  No wonder Christ says: “Do not fear.”  The persecutors have no power over the second death.

So what is the message of the letter to Smyrna for us today?  If we faithfully witness to the crucified Christ, we can expect similar persecution.  Nevertheless, Christ says to us: “Do not fear.”  Our tribulation will be over soon.  When evil is all around us, in our darkest hour of depression, fear, and anxiety, Christ assures us that if we faithfully endure the persecution, we will receive a reward that will last – eternal life. 

 

Sing: "Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken"
Jesus, I my cross have taken, All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my All shalt be.
Perish every fond ambition, All I've sought or hoped or known;
Yet how rich is my condition! God and heaven are still my own.

Let the world despise and leave me, They have left my Savior, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me; Thou art not, like them, untrue.
And while Thou shalt smile upon me, God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends may shun me; Show Thy face, and all is bright.

 Man may trouble and distress me, 'Twill but drive me to Thy breast;
Life with trials hard may press me, Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, 'tis not in grief to harm me While Thy love is left to me;
Oh, 'twere not in joy to charm me Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

Haste, then, on from grace to glory, Armed by faith and winged by prayer;
Heaven's eternal day's before thee, God's own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close the earthly mission, Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope soon change to glad fruition, Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

Henry Francis Lyte

Let us pray the words that John Calvin wrote to a friend after the death of Calvin’s wife:  May the Lord strengthen me by his spirit, and may he support me also under heavy affliction which would certainly have overcome me had not he who raises the prostrate, strengthens the weak, and refreshes the weary, stretched forth his hand from heaven to me.  Through the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.