"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." - Rev 2:8-11 (KJV)

Last week we looked at the evaluation of the church at Ephesus, an excellent and mature congregation, which nevertheless was censured by our Lord in one critical aspect. He chided them for giving Love (to Him and His flock) a second place to the work of the Kingdom - by turning from works driven by love, to works driven by duty! This week, we will see a congregation that is the polar opposite, in that, they loved Him beyond even their own lives! The church of Smyrna, and the church of Philadelphia, are unique in that our Lord has NO words of judgement to speak to them, only words of encouragement to help them in their struggle - what a testimony from Him!

This weeks text also highlights what is a huge stumbling block to the faith of Christians of all maturities. God's way is not our way - and sometimes the way up is the way down. He who leads must be a servant of all. He who follows Christ must be happy to be treated as his Lord was treated. And sometimes, the person who is a witness to the truth of His resurrection must do that by allowing the enemy to take his/her life. From the murder of Stephen in the Book of Acts, to the persecution and killing of Christians and missionaries all over the world in all times, to the truly hateful and evil killing of innocent churchgoers in this country (1999 Fort Worth TX, 2005 Brookfield WI, 2008 Knoxville TN, 2015 Charleston SC, 2017 Antioch TN, Sutherland Springs TX) -- this seems to fly in the face of the protection we are supposed to enjoy from an omnipotent God! Is He powerless or unwilling to stop it? Are these acts occurring with His tacit permission - if so - how can we reconcile this with the nature of one who IS GOOD?

The answer is that it is a question of perspective. Yes, we can mourn the loss of life, and a loved one, and our deprivation of their company - but this is to mourn as they who have no hope. If we realize that death is only a gateway to an everlasting abiding in the presence of God, away from the pollutions of this world, death begins to lose its sting. We are all going to die someday - its inevitable unless the Lord comes before we die. What we are actually mourning is a cutting short of time on this plane, from a perception that if one were to remain here and enjoy a full life - that is better! It is certainly good - the Bible equates long life with the blessing and the favor of the Lord, but to be with Him is BEST! In the process - if we are able to testify about our faith, glorify Him, and expose the enemy as a murderer from the beginning, that is wholly consistent with the plan and operation of One who is good and righteous! 
Lets hear it from our Lord in His own words...

THE REPORT CARD OF Smyrna

Smyrna and Philadelphia are unique in that apart from not being receiving any words of reproof, these cities exist till this day! Smyrna is the location of the modern day city of Izmir in Turkey. It is one of the oldest known cities in the world, dating back from the 11th century BC, and later rebuilt in the 4th century BC by Alexander the Great. Various explanations exist for the name, one of which is the greek name for myrrh, a chief export from there in ancient times. Christians have always had a difficult time there - persecuted first by the jews that lived there, then by various roman emperors, the ottomans, Timurlane (who massacred most of them near 1400 AD), and it continues to this day.

A. Issuing Authority : From the One who has conquered death

It is no accident that Christ identifies himself as one who was dead and is alive to a church that is facing the prospect of martyrdom. His very identity is couched in terms that is designed to give them hope! He is alive! This is the blessed hope of the church, and the core underpinning of our gospel. If Christ is not risen, then our faith is vain, and we are still dead in our sins! He was KILLED for our offences, but "RAISED!" to PROVE our JUSTIFICATION! Hallelujah! One preacher has likened the Resurrection to be the divine God given receipt and assurance of the forgiveness of ALL our sins! Saved by His death, we have assurance through His life!!

B. What's going well : Everything!

Christ says he knows their tribulation and poverty. (The word works is not found in the better manuscripts, and is omitted in the Revised Version for that reason. Some have theorized it was added later to harmonize the content with the other reports.) This is a great encouragement to those who are experiencing fear, desolation and loneliness and wondering if God even cares! HE DOES! Christ knew tribulation and poverty in a very real sense, and has complete empathy with them! He further says - "but thou art rich!". "Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. - Lk 6:20" "As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." 2 Cor 6:10.

He further knows that they are spoken against by those who say they are Jews, but are of the synagogue of Satan. In the gospels, the term jews is overwhelmingly in a negative context - referring to the religious leadership that was opposed to Jesus. Here it is in a positive context - assuming a true Jew is defined as also being a follower of Christ - but a "synagogue" of opposers would seem to indicate that those referred to are jews that have rejected their messiah. Here is another evaluation to take note of- they are not all Israel in the eyes of God that are called Israel. A branch has been broken off so that we (Gentiles) may be grafted in. They are jews in the Lord that are jews inwardly, circumcised in the heart and not in the flesh. (Its a warning to Christians as well! - let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall... )

C: What's not going well: Nothing!

D: Recommendations and next steps/consequences

Dont be afraid! This is a recurring statement in the Word! Angels say it to people they appear to. Christ speaks it to His disciples and Apostles "... and fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Mat 10:28 "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." :- John 14:27 To Paul in Corinth when he was scared... "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city."

The church in Smyrna did not receive the assurance that they would not be harmed, but were explicitly told that the devil would cast them into prison so that they would be tried, and they WOULD have tribulation ten days. Please note that it is not God who is persecuting them, it is the devil - but under the limitations set by an omnipotent and sovereign God. Indeed this is why we should pray daily, "lead us not into testing, but deliver us from the evil one". Nobody in their right mind should want to be tested, but rather to be delivered! The testing is for the perfecting of our faith and for the glory of God!

A note on the 10 days. Commentators are not sure what that means... if it is literal or symbolic. There are those (historicist/futurist interpreters of Revelation) who interpret the letters to the 7 churches as 7 ages of the church. The early apostolic age (Ephesus), the age of martyrdom (Smyrna), the age of pagan acceptance (Constantine - Pergamum) etc. Such have noted that there were 10 emperors beginning with Nero that persecuted the Christians ending with Diocletian. We are of the view that 7 types (and not ages) of the church are in view here (as churches are still being martyred), but mention it as an example of another perspective and dimension of reading this epistle that is not without interest.

This church is asked to simply continue to be faithful - even up to the point of death - and the reward is a crown (the word here is "stephanos" - different from the word "diadema" given to rulers -indicative of one being crowned victorious) - which is what Christ himself did, and received!

E: The benefits of following the recommendations

The church as a whole is to overcome evil with love. This is very hard to do, when our whole spirit cries out for revenge- but it is God's way - its our witness - that our hope is heavenly, our life is eternal. These tribulations are not worthy to be compared with the glory which is to be revealed in us, and we have" victory over death itself!!! "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment." - 1 Jn 4:18 , "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Tim 1:7

Please pray daily for the churches around the world that are facing persecution and martyrdom, that their faith fail not, that they would find the strength and courage to overcome their fears, and boldly proclaim the Gospel! Hallelujah!