The second church: Smyrna. Smyrna was a city that had died and then reborn. Founded in 1000 B. C. and destroyed in about 600 B. C., it was refounded in290 B. C. by one of Alexander the Great’s generals. It was a matter of pride that it had died and been brought back to life. It lay on the hill of Pagus. It was considered the most beautiful of all Greek cities. It sloped down to the sea with the buildings at the top of a rounded hill. As you approached the city it looked like a crown - called the crown of Smyrna. The coins of Smyrna bore the phrase - ‘the first city of Asia’. It is still alive today under the name of Izmir (a Turkish corruption of the name Smyrna).
The name itself means myrrh. Myrrh was its chief product. It is a fragrance that is created by crushing the herb. It was also used as embalming fluid and as a pain killer. It is associated with suffering in the Bible. The traders carrying Joseph down to Egypt carried myrrh (Gen. 37:25). Israel sent it with his sons on their second trip to Egypt when he thought he would lose his sons (Gen. 43:11). Used in the holy anointing oil in the temple (Exo 30:23). Given to Christ at his birth (Mat 2:11). Offered to Christ (mixed with wine) on the cross (Mark 15:23). Used in Christ’s burial (John 19:39-40). Notice that it is not found in the future in Is. 60:6. Unlike His first coming, Christ is not coming back to suffer but to rule.
Shortest letter and it contains no condemnation. The church was very poor because of its faith in Christ and their refusal to worship Caesar as God. Polycarp was the pastor of this church. He is famous for uttering the phrase: "Eighty and six years have I served him and He never did me any harm. How can I deny him?". This after it was demanded that deny Christ to save his life.
Smyrna represents the church age from 100 A. D. to 312 A. D.. There were 10 persecutions of the church under ten rulers ending with Diocletian who persecuted the church for 10 years. It is estimated that about 5 million Christians may have been martyred during this time.
Verse 8
: Note Christ’s title to the church in this proud city. I am the first and the last - no matter how wonderful Smyrna might think itself, next to Christ it is nothing. Also note that Christ continues to attack Smyrna’s pride in that He alone is the one who died and is risen from the dead. This must have been very reassuring to saints in Smyrna.Verse 9
: Notice the word know. Christ is telling the church that he sees, he understands, and he considers their works, tribulations, and poverty. This is an intimate knowledge that only one who has experienced it can know. Tribulations comes from a Greek word for pressure. The tribulation faced by the Christians at Smyrna was a continuous tortuous pressure exerted every moment of every day they lived. They faced it due to their faith. The word for poverty is the kind of abject poverty where people are not able to earn enough to take care of the basic needs of the family. Note that Christ calls them rich even though the world would view them as worthless. Compare this to the church of Laodicea where they are rich but poor. These are clear messages that what is important to God is not what is important to man.Verse 10
: Note for all the pain and suffering the church is going to go through, Christ admonishes them to fear not and be thou faithful unto death. For those who are, Christ will give the crown of life. Notice that Christ tells them that Satan will persecute, imprison and destroy; but Christ shows that he is in control and that there will be an end to the persecution.Verse 11
: The same ending as to Ephesus. Also note that Christ reassures the church that even though they may have their life taken from them, those who would destroy them will not be able to kill them a second time (see Mat. 10:28). Basic rule: twice born - die once. Once born - die twice.[ Ephesus ] [ Church Age ] [ Overview ] [ Pergamum ]