The church in Smyrna (meaning “bitter”) was the recipient of the next message from Christ, through John. This city was approximately 35 – 40 miles north of Ephesus; it had a good harbor and a large port on the Aegean Sea, making it a prosperous city. It was a center for learning, and on top of that, it was known for its beauty. Today this city still exists in Turkey, known as Izmir, and a Christian church still exists there.
The meaning of the city name fit this church. Everyday life was bitter and harsh. They were persecuted heavily, quite possibly more so than any other. From A.D. 81-96 emperor worship was made mandatory here. For instance, to get a certificate to draw water, one had to bow to the emperor or otherwise recognize the emperor as deity. Naturally, most Christians did not comply, and suffered as a result when they found other means to get water or boldly held their ground. Nowhere else was life more dangerous for a Christian.
Christ assured them that He knows them, He knows their trouble (tribulation), and they are commended for their endurance. The persecution they suffered is what caused their affliction; they are not condemned for any wrongdoing, actually.
Their poverty is known, and it was directly related to the demands of living for Christ. The believers could have exchanged their morals and values to make life easier, but they chose to live in a way pleasing to God. Often the slander and false accusations surrounding them, much of which came from non-believing Jews, would cause the civil authorities to arrest them. And realistically they had to choose between having a good job and living a Christian life. They chose Christ, and paid for it. However poor they were, though, they were spiritually rich.
The blasphemy mentioned is related to that slander against Christians. They were probably accused of political disloyalty. Even 50 years later, Polycarp, a great first century church leader, was burned at the stake in this area, because of the Jewish accusers. The Jews, those who were supposed to be part of God’s chosen family, had surpassed the heathens in their hatred toward Christianity. The Jewish lineage had become nothing more than an ancestral relationship to Abraham, and not at all in spirit. They routinely met (thus the use of “synagogue” here) to plot against Christians.
Christ makes it clear that Satan is the author of this persecution, and that it was going to keep happening. The goal of Satan was and still is the renouncing of one’s faith. There was no promise of Christ returning soon here, yet they were to know that God knew their plight and cared for them. A specific ten days is mentioned and predicted, very likely a literal period of time which would seem unbearable to those suffering. Martyrdom was very much on the horizon for many believers here.
As a result, Christ reminds them of eternal life with Him. They did not need to fear the “second death” referred to in Daniel 12, John 5, Revelation 20 and 21. Their incentive to overcome was the knowledge of eternal life.
SO WHAT…?
So, what is my primary motivation to live for Christ? What costs have I counted to do so? Would I still choose Christ if it got much more costly?
So, when I see society becoming more and more anti-Christian (much different than “pro-religious), what should my response be? How can I, one person, make a difference for Christ? Should I even try?
So, I realize today, as then, Satan is still very much at work. He wants to destroy the church and the family, he wants believers to live like non-believers, and he wants God to look bad as a result. I must always keep eternal life in clear and sharp focus, if I expect to endure and overcome.
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