Smyrna, present day Ismir, was located about thirty-five miles north of Ephesus. Famous for its harbors, commerce and busy marketplaces, it was a major trade hub of the Aegean Sea region. Polycarp, a disciple of John, was a bishop there until his martyrdom in AD 155. The name Smyrna has the meaning 'bitterness' or 'myrrh', a precious ointment associated with death. Church history testifies to the intense persecution and martyrdom it endured at the hands of imperial Rome.
Verse 8
Christ portrayed Himself as the first and the last, the One who was dead and yet lives. This last description is very important to the church at Smyrna because it was a church under duress and persecution to the point of death. It was also one of two churches among the seven which received no rebuke from the Lord.
Today, there are countries that are still hostile to the Christian faith. Living in these places, to believe in Christ means not only severance from family ties and becoming an outcast of the community, but also the possibility of imprisonment and death. For these Christians, to follow Christ is to literally take up the cross—dying to the world and self.
Verse 9
If there is anything a persecuted Christian can take comfort in, it's the knowledge that the Lord knows the suffering His people is going through. For many believers living in countries with religious freedom, coming to Christ cost us little, if any. That could be the reason why we don't take our faith seriously, and neither does the devil.
But the moment we begin to heed our calling seriously, we can expect trials to come our way, even from unexpected people—professing Christians (those who say they're believers but are not) who felt uneasy or even threatened by our love and zeal for the Lord, unsettled by their own lukewarm status quo in stark contrast. In fact, these will do their utmost to discourage and douse the fire of God in us, effectively becoming the devil's accomplices, the synagogue of Satan—at least that's how Christ views them!
The sad truth is in Christendom today, there are many who believe they can serve God and Mammon at the same time. It's like the Chinese saying: To step two boats with one leg, which is impossible of course. These look with disdain and ridicule those who give up their worldly ambitions for Christ, thinking they're either foolish or out of their mind. Yes, they are fools for Christ's sake, and to these Jesus says, "I know your poverty, but you are rich!" Take heed that we do not end up like the rich fool in Jesus' parable (Luke 12:21).
End-time puzzle piece to ponder:
Are you aware that the current world economic system is run and controlled by a few powerful bankers who claimed to be Jews or give the impression that they are? Ever heard of the Rothschild family, the Rockefellers, JP Morgan, etc.? It is likely that these people with their unimaginably vast wealth and influences will play pivotal roles in the emerging New World Order under its leader, the Antichrist.
Verse 10
Christ's words of encouragement to them: Fear none of these things. But can we? Of course we can't—if we still love and hold on to self. Self-preservation will instinctively kick in and we will quickly give up our faith in order to survive. We can willingly lay down our lives for Christ at the crucial moment when we have learned to do so on a daily basis in surrendering to His will. No shortcut. No miracle formula.
Ten days. What could it be? It could mean that God will cut short the tribulation period for the elect's sake (Mark 13:20). Historically, it pointed to a period in which the Church suffered great persecutions under ten of the Roman Caesars, from the reigns of Nero to Diocletian. No matter what it may be, Christ's command is that we remain faithful unto death and He will reward us with a crown of life.
This is a faithful saying: If we died with him, we shall also live with him. If we endure trials for his sake, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. (2 Timothy 2:11-12)
It cannot be any clearer than that as oppose to a life of ease and plenty purported by adherents of the prosperity gospel.
Verse 11
The one who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. The first death is a physical one while the second is spiritual—eternal separation from God, the Source of life. True Christians experience two births and one death (unless the Lord returns prior to that); unbelievers, on the other hand, experience only one birth but two deaths.
Do we have the new birth, the indestructible life that no amount of earthly trials and persecutions, nor even death, can destroy?
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