CHURCH IN SMYRNA
It is not uncommon for people who witness horrific suffering to feel as though their pain has pushed them away from God. Affliction results in the human dilemma that is found in the question “Why does God allow such suffering?” Even Christians say things like “I have been doing everything right…I have been fasting and praying, giving and loving my neighbor…what did I do wrong? Why has God allowed me and others to go through such hard times? Does He not care?
Affliction is a common thread in and throughout all of scripture and can come from many different directions…
1.Affliction can be a direct consequence of sin (Galatians 6:8; Proverbs 11:18).
2. Affliction can be a judgment from God (Ezekiel 36:18–19; 39:24; Romans 1:18–32; 2:6; 6:23).
3. Affliction can purify us and help us develop endurance (Daniel 12:10; James 1:3; 1 Peter 4:12–13).
4. Affliction can occur for God’s divine purposes (Job 2:7; Isaiah 53:7; Psalm 119:75).
5. Affliction is part of living in a fallen world (Psalm 25:16; 1 Peter 1:6; John 16:33).
6. Affliction can be the result of persecution for Jesus’ sake (2 Timothy 3:11–12; Psalm 69:6–7; 1 John 3:13).
7. Affliction can be the result of a direct attack from Satan (Luke 22:31; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8).
For the church in Smyrna, affliction was resulting in poverty, slander and coming from the direct attack of Satan on their faithful witness to Christ. Jesus writes to them this personal letter, reminding them that He is the first and the last, the One who has defeated death and is now resurrected. Many in the church in Smyrna were facing martyrdom, including the historical life of Polycarp. Jesus wanted them to have courage to face even death itself for the sake of the Gospel.
The Christians in Smyrna had very little security, and low social status. They had lost business opportunities as well as their property, leaving many of them in extreme financial poverty. Jesus states in His letter I know your poverty, yet you are rich! Leonard Ravenhill quotes “The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality and popularity.” Jesus was encouraging the church in Smyrna to understand that the circumstances of their life did not define who they were. Your existence was not to pursue popularity or prosperity but rather it was to face persecution with courage and faithfulness. Smyrna would find themselves defined by the riches that would not ever be fully realized in their lifetime on earth.
This church was not only poor, but slandered, ridiculed, accused and discredited. The Jews were using their tongues to stir up trouble, and turn people against one another. Jesus explains that this kind of behavior is one that is generated from what He called the “synagogue of Satan”. Carey Nieuwhof states “the greatest mistake I believe you can make with evil is to overestimate or underestimate its influence.” As we read this letter, it’s clear that Satan was given some influence over the church and Jesus wanted them to know that they had an enemy and this enemy wants to lock you up, restrict you, isolate you, chain you and punish you, but his attack is limited!
How do you know if there is an influence of Satan in your life? You might become divisive, envious or jealous towards others. You may blur the lines of your morality and standards of purity. Pride and arrogance creep in, making you think more highly of yourself than you ought. Discouragement, disillusionment, and self-pity saturates your mind, will and emotions. The ultimate aim of these attacks from Satan are to steal, kill and destroy your life. Smyrna recognized that these afflictions even in death could not destroy the witness and power of the Gospel of Christ. Later on in Revelation 12:11, we are told that the martyred Saints who have given their lives for the Gospel will overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.
So, what does Jesus promise, what is the incentive of facing the afflictions that come to God’s righteous people? Jesus promises them in the letter, you will receive the crown of life and will not be hurt by the second death. The second death is the place of eternal separation from God, not a physical death but rather a spiritual death called the Lake of Fire. It is said that those who are born twice (once physically and once spiritually) will suffer just one death, while those who are born once (physically) will suffer two deaths. (Revelations 21:8; 20:6; 14-15). Mike Bickle states “the most terrifying time in human history will occur when the second death is administered to billions of people at the Great White Throne”.
What about you? Will you stand with regret before the Lord on that day of judgment, or will you stand with a grateful heart, ready and willing to receive the rewards of a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
How do we respond to a message like this to the church in Smyrna? Let’s take heed to the encouragement of our Savior penned in this letter, Do not fear and remain faithful to the end! Sometimes Christians will be required to die for their faith, but most of us, will only be required to remain faithful until we die.