Become Faithful Until Death
After persevering through persecution, the ever-faithful church at Smyrna was promised even more “tribulation” but also great rewards.
The name “Smyrna” possibly is derived from the Greek word for
“myrrh,” an ointment used commonly at the time in burial preparations. If so,
and in this context, it suggests martyrdom.
THE FIRST AND THE LAST
The letter opens with Jesus stressing his exalted position. He is “The
First and the Last,” the one who now has absolute authority over everything
that transpires in the city, therefore the church has no reason to fear what is
coming. He has the “last” word on all things.
Moreover, he “became dead and lived.” The clause references
the words of the “one like a Son of Man” from the opening vision who
told John not to fear since he had risen from the dead and holds the “keys
of death and of Hades” forevermore.
- (Revelation 2:8-11) - “And to the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: These things the first and the last declares, who became dead and lived: I know your tribulationˎ and destitution, nevertheless, you are rich, and the profane speech from among them who affirm that they themselves are Jews, and they are not, but a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear the things which you are going to suffer. Lo! the adversary is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried and may have tribulation ten days. Become faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what |the Spirit| is saying to the churches. He that overcomes shall in nowise be injured by the second death.”
Jesus “knows” the condition of the congregation. From his
perspective, it is “rich,” although its members are financially poor.
TRIBULATION
Their impoverishment is due to the “slander” from those in
the city who claim to be Jews “but are not.” And he knows the works of the congregation, not
so much its good deeds as its faithfulness in giving testimony despite opposition.
The church has endured “tribulation” due to that testimony.
But even though the congregation has remained faithful, it will yet endure more
“tribulation for ten days.”
The congregation’s impoverishment anticipates the economic program
of the “beast from the
earth” described
in chapter 13, its leverage of economic control to compel submission to its political
and religious agenda - (Revelation
13:15-18).
The “slander” by local Jewish leaders points to members of
the synagogue denouncing Christians to local magistrates, accusations that resulted
in legal prosecution.
Likewise, the “beast from the sea” had the “name of
slander” or blasphémia upon its several heads, and a mouth speaking
“slanders” against God and “those who tabernacle in heaven.” Later,
the “Great Harlot” sat on the “scarlet beast full
of slanders” - (Revelation
13:1-6, 17:3).
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| [Photo by David Maginley on Unsplash] |
The false accusations from the synagogue demonstrate how Satan “slanders” believers and Jesus, and the “Dragon” is the one behind these efforts to suppress the church at Smyrna. Therefore, Jesus names this group of accusers the “synagogue of Satan,” the real force behind the harassment of the church.
UNTIL DEATH
Of the seven churches, only Smyrna and Philadelphia receive no correction.
Jesus admonishes Smyrna to face any tribulation that might come. Already, the
congregation has endured trials without wavering.
But rather than "reward" the church for her previous victories, at least humanely speaking, Jesus announces the intensification of her trials.
Some members will be cast into prison. In the Roman world, prison
cells were holding pens for accused criminals until their trial or execution. That
reality is implied in the exhortation to “become faithful until death.”
The church will be tried for “ten days,” a figure that alludes
to the “ten days” when Daniel and his compatriots did not eat food offered
to idols, a fitting allusion since the churches were struggling with false
teachers that promoted “fornication” and “eating food offered to idols” - (Daniel 1:12-14).
Faithfulness in trials and persecution will produce the “wreath
of life,” which refers to a victor’s wreath. And the one
who “overcomes,” even in death, will not taste of the “second death.”
And disciples of the Risen Jesus “overcome” in paradoxical
ways by enduring persecution and martyrdom because of their faithful witness for him.
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