Smyrna
The persecuted church.
“\And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”
General interpretation: This represents the persecuted church through the ages. Until most recently the most persecuted communities have been in communist Russia and China. Currently, the modern day equivalent of the persecuted church is the Christians inside Muslim nations. We have all heard the stories of the ones who convert to Christianity. They are rejected by their families, communities and even murdered by their own family members. Missionary acquaintances of ours in Tajikistan helped a converted girl to continue her medical studies after fleeing Afghanistan after her own husband had been murdered by a family member, and her own life was in danger too. The rejection is severe and the price is high. But, by patiently enduring this persecution, we bring Glory to God.
End-time interpretation: In preparation for the end-time persecution, to help us be overcomers, we can hold on to Jesus’ words: “Do not fear”, do not be afraid. To help us to remain standing we need to overcome fear. Learn to resist the fear of what can happen to our loved ones. Resist the fear of inflicted pain. Resist our carnal nature’s reflex for self-preservation, our survival instinct. Be faithful, as He was faithful when tested. He completed His mission. Many martyrs have done so in the past. So will we. God’s grace will be there when we need it, His strength to bear what we can’t bear. It now seems impossible to think of anything else but the pain when we accidentally injure ourselves. Or the pain we can’t cope with when we go to the Dentist and do not take local. But at the time of testing, God’s Spirit will empower us. His grace carried the martyrs and it will be there for us again. There is no need to fear.
It is significant that most of this letter contrasts life and death. It’s in the introduction, in the recommendation and in the encouragement. We get a clear message: We need to choose whether to preserve this life or preserve eternal life, receive an eternal crown or hold on to some paltry worldly possessions, subject to decay.
Let them go now! Release your grasp on this life. Your possessions are not your security or measure of achievement. Now is the time to decide. Now is the time to set our sights beyond the immediate.
How? Jesus is very clear on that in the sermon on the mount. We are to come against the worldly spirit in the opposite spirit. Instead of seeking acknowledgement, give acknowledgement. Instead of gathering to possess, gather to act as a conduit. The supply of wealth is in God’s hand, the use thereof is in ours. Fear will drive us to greed and hoarding wealth. Faith will motivate us to direct it, to make it flow and benefit the kingdom.
If we can’t give up our excess possessions for Christ’s kingdom now, it will be difficult for us to give up our ultimate possession, our life. We need to learn to lose out. Practice to lose ‘our life’ for Him. Practice so that we can do this when the real test is put before us. Especially when this test will be packaged in deception by the false ‘angel of light’, Satan