Jesus’ Message to His Suffering Church

Revelation 2:8-11

I had a Christian friend in the army. He loved the Lord, witnessed for God, and suffered for his faith. In the army, there’s always a book-in time. And in my unit, they weren’t always strict about the 0800 hrs book-in time. They only took notice if many people were late. So people would sign in 0759 even if it was later. My friend was not perfect. He was late one day. So he signed in 0805. The problem was this - behind him were many late-comers. They could no longer sign-in 0759. So all of them signed extras. So because of that, he endured slander, gossip, hatred. It wasn’t easy - but he was fearless. Many of us would avoid this. We’ll give up a clear conscience to avoid persecution. We can’t even take low vibes and undercurrents. But what are low vibes compared to full onslaught persecution? Smyrna was a very persecuted church. They experienced full persecution. But these words written to them are also for every Christian facing hardship for their faith. It’s written to every church in places difficult to be truly Christian. But these words instruct us who fear low vibe persecution so much that we hide our faith. You see, the time will come, as it always does, where faithfulness to Christ will bring trouble. No one expected bakers in such a Christian city like Belfast to be sued because they tried to live out their convictions.

As we saw last week, there are 4 sections to each church addressed. There’s an assurance, an evaluation, an exhortation, and a promise of blessing. To Ephesus, Christ assured her of his sovereign presence - he held the seven stars and walked in the midst of the seven churches. He evaluated her - commending her for her purity but he also warned her against her lovelessness. Thereafter, he exhorted her to remember, repent, and resume the first works of love; finally promising her eternal preservation in his eternal presence in his eternal paradise. Today, we see the same sections in Christ’s address to the church in Smyrna. Firstly, he assured her of his sovereign preeminence; secondly, he evaluated her suffering and status; thirdly, he exhorted her to fearlessness and faithfulness; and fourthly, he promised to reward her with preeminence.

Firstly, he assured her of his sovereign preeminence. Verse 8 says, “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.” Now, each introduction to each of the 7 churches was unique to them. These words are taken from chapter 1. To Ephesus, he was the one who held them and walked among them. This assured them of his sovereign presence. Despite their struggle to love him, he loved them and was with them. But to Smyrna, he was the first and last, the one now lived. Christ wanted to assure them that he was sovereign in his preeminence. He’s the first. He’s alive. First means that no one and nothing existed before him. Rather, that they owe their existence to him. All things were made through him and without him was not anything made that was made, John 1:3. In him was life and the life was the light of men, John 1:4. Even before Abraham was, I am, John 8:58. Life starts with Christ. But he’s also the last. He starts all history and he ends all history. At the end of time, all people will face him at the judgment. And these words of Christ was authoritative. “These things saith” is a term carrying the weight of - “thus saith the Lord.” Christ knew the importance of these words to the church in Smyrna. But why were these written especially to them?

Because of Smyrna’s unique context. Smyrna was the most preeminent and sophisticated city in Asia Minor. It was first in many ways. It was a center for literature and arts in ancient Greece. Homer - the author of epics like the Iliad and Odyssey - was born there. It was a center for medicine. It had a preeminent medical school headed by Heracleides the famous physician. People there had a good life. It was also famous for its athletic games. It had Asia’s largest and most preeminent stadium, with a seating capacity of 20,000. Gladiators and athletes competed there. Those who won received a crown of laurel. It was a center of trade. It’s main export was myrrh - that’s why it was called Smyrna. It was so rich the main street through Smyrna was called the golden street because of the wealth. On one end was the temple of Zeus; on the other end, the temple of Sybil. The golden street encircled Mount Pagus, in the middle of the city. At its top was an acropolis filled with beautiful buildings. So from an aerial view, the city looked like a necklace.

In 700 BC, it was destroyed by an earthquake but was rebuilt from its ashes 500 years later. Ancient writers compared her with the mythical Phoenix because it rose to life from its ashes. It was selected to be the first Roman city in Asia. And so, it was first in erecting a temple for emperor worship. First and preeminent city. And those who played by the rules would enjoy the honors of the city. But those who refused; those who followed Christ would enjoy suffering. Because the Christians in Smyrna kept Christ first in their lives they suffered and died. So these words - that Christ was first and last, the living one - would strengthen them through their suffering.

But what was their suffering like? We see secondly, Christ evaluated her suffering and status. Verse 9 says, “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.” Now, this address to Smyrna was the shortest one. It only has 4 verses. Why? All the other churches had commendations and warnings in Christ’s evaluation. Only Smyrna and Philadelphia had commendations. To be sure, the commendation was not “well done” or “good job.” But we see the phrase “I know your works.” Christ - the preeminent one who gave them life, who had burning eyes, who walked and moved in the most of the churches knew their works. And what works were these? Tribulation, poverty, and victims of blasphemy. He saw their triple suffering. Now, we don’t usually commend suffering. But the Bible does. Timothy was expected to endure hardship as an evangelist, 2 Timothy 4:5. Paul was destined to suffer for Christ, Acts 9:16. The Philippians were privileged not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for his sake, Philippians 1:29. Whoever does not carry his cross and follow Christ cannot be his disciple, Like 14:27. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, Matthew 5:10. Yea, all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, 2 Timothy 3:12. He saw their triple suffering and recognized their godliness, righteousness, discipleship, love for Christ, and work for the gospel. So in the midst of suffering, God’s people feel very much alone, like Job who complained - where’s God? - but we know he’s near - walking in the midst of his suffering church, and he knows these good works.

What works specifically for Smyrna? They endured tribulation, poverty, and slander. These words all describe suffering. Tribulation is a general term. Poverty and blasphemy are types of tribulation. Poverty is not just not having something or in a state of neediness. It means destitution. They had nothing at all. Despite them living in such a rich and preeminent city! To some people, that’s unthinkable. When we think of Christians from rich cities like New York City, we expect them to be rich - say, compared to those living in Yangon. But maybe this shows our wrong thinking. Why should they be rich? These Christians from Smyrna were poor. And they were poor because they were persecuted. The beast will ensure that. Yes, most of us in our circumstances are rich. But why? Maybe persecution is not as intense here. But imagine if we were more overt in our witness for Christ! There’s a risk of poverty, of job losses, of persecution. So what compromises might we have made to get where we are? Is our faith is overt? What did it cost us?

You see, they were poor because in living for Christ, they endured the slander of ethnic Jews. It’s no surprise the Jews then hated the gospel. It was foolishness to them. Their righteousness from keeping the law was made of none effect by the gospel. That’s why the Pharisees hated Christ. This is also why the religious Jews hated the Christians. And since many Christians then were ethnic Jews, they were branded traitors by their people. In fact, when Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, and John’s disciple, was martyred, the Jews supplied extra wood for his burning, carrying the wood on the Sabbath Day - breaking their law by working. Why? To kill this pastor. If you recall in Acts, most of the persecution was committed by the Jews. But we must understand why. The Jews had a precarious relation with Rome. Jerusalem had been destroyed, they were scattered. So as to not be targets of Rome, they reported the anti-political activities of the Christians. Remember, Smyrna was the first in Asia Minor to worship Caesar. Putting the spotlight on Christians takes it away from the Jews. And how did they do it? By slander - “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews.” And what did that result in? We see the same thing happening in Rome a few years before Smyrna. Hebrews 10:33 described how Jewish Christians in Rome experienced the same suffering - they were made a public spectacle - probably in the stadium. They were beaten. Everything they owned - taken away! They lost their businesses and property; their homes seized, fired from jobs; they couldn’t buy or sell. But they accepted this with joy because they recognized what they had in heaven was far better. And yes, much of the persecution was perpetrated by their own people.

They were slandered, tried, and made destitute. Those were her works. And this demonstrated her worthiness and wealth. Verse 9 says of their worth. “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” These Jews thought they were God’s people. But Christ says they are not. They say they’re Jews, but are not. They may be ethnic Jews, but they’re not the true Jews of God. They’re an assembly, but not the synagogue of God. They were the synagogue of Satan. Essentially, Christ here said that the ethnic Jews who denied him weren’t true Jews. On the other hand, the implication was this - those who embrace Christ from every ethnicity are the true Jews. Jesus made this plain in John 8. The Pharisees claimed to be children of Abraham but Christ said they were of their father the devil. These Christians were worthy - they were the true seed of Abraham.

So despite their poverty, they were wealthy - “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich).” They were rich because they hadn’t given up. A church can be rich materially but poor spiritually like Laodicea; or poor materially but rich spiritually like Smyrna. But a church can also be rich materially and rich spiritually. But those preoccupied with riches will often be poor spiritually. We’re mostly wealthy here. But are we rich spiritually? Here, Christ used comparative language. They were the true Jews, the true church of God; but others were not Jews, but the synagogue of Satan. Others in the city were rich - they were first; these Christians were last, were they were the real rich ones. Their Lord, the first and last, said they were rich. Others were rich but losers; they were poor, but victors. Spiritually rich believers live their faith out, struggling against the beast who impoverishes them for their faith. So many of us fear the loss of wealth or status that we compromise spiritually - and that’s why we’re poor. But Christ commended their spiritual wealth. Despite their current triple suffering, Christ evaluated them to be worthy and wealthy. This was a real encouragement to them in their suffering. Makes us think about what honors and crowns - for us and our children - we should consider worthy.

After commending them, our Lord encouraged them. So in their suffering, our Lord encouraged them to be fearless and faithful. That’s the third section of the letter. Verse 10 says, “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.” Christ’s encouragement here was not that things would get better. He didn’t promise to deliver them now. In fact, he said that things would get worse. He gave two commands. The first one was negative - fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Don’t fear, or be fearless. They’d be cast into prison. Now, prison wasn’t a long term custody like we have today where people are sentenced 10 to 20 years. But it was a holding place for prisoners until their trial or execution. That’s why Jesus told them to be faithful unto death - because their imprisonment of 10 days likely included death after that. But it was the devil who sent them there. Ultimately, the devil was the one who hated them. And he destroyed God’s people by using the Romans who were instigated by the Jews. Beloved, we must be clear that the ones who hate us for our faith are ultimately moved by the Devil. He’s the one that persecutes us.

And they were going to be persecuted for 10 days. Now, the 10 days is not literal. It’s an allusion to Daniel 1. Daniel and his friends refused to eat the food of the king. They opted instead for beans and rice. They did so in order not to partake in the defilement of the king’s meat. To eat his food was to partake in emperor worship - Nebuchadnezzar thought he was divine. And they’d eat beans and rice for 10 days. So these 10 days were a symbol of the trial Smyrna would go through to remain pure - not to defile themselves by worshiping the emperor. Similarly, there were 10 plagues - the Jews in Goshen were affected - Pharaoh wouldn’t let them go - he even made their burdens heavier. So these 10 days were a time of great testing where their faith would be tried. This is why the Lord exhorted them to be faithful. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” They were exhorted to be fearless - not to succumb to intimidation. But they were exhorted to believe. But believe what? They were to believe the persecution wouldn’t last forever. It was 10 days. This means there’d be an 11th day. Yes, 10 intense days. But then the 11th day - the final day of rest. What happened after 10 days? Daniel was elevated together with his friends. What happened to Israel after the 10th plague? She was set free. The Smyrna Christians might be faithful until they die. But who was speaking to them? The one who was dead, but was now alive - the first and last. They wouldn’t die forever. So would they die for him? Or preserve their lives by compromise? Furthermore, while the devil was behind this, they were to believe that God was ultimately behind it. Who cast them into prison? Yes, the Romans, via the Jews, via the Devil. But God was behind it. Even after Jesus’ baptism, he was tempted by the Devil after 40 days. But who led him into the wilderness to be tempted? The Spirit of God! This is why they could be fearless - if they were faithful.

So after exhorting them to be fearless and faithful, our Lord promised those who’d obey - those who didn’t deny him, but persevered fearlessly and faithfully - he promised to reward them with preeminence. That’s the fourth point. Her reward would be a crown of life. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Remember the games in Smyrna. In the stadium, the gladiators and beasts would kill the Christians. The gladiators may get the laurel crown. But Christians who died well - fearlessly and faithfully in Christ would receive a better crown - the crown of life. Remember that this was a town of athletes. They knew that rewards were only given to those who overcame. Verse 11 - “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.” And this reward is also for us. This is written to the churches. All Christians will suffer persecution. But some because of these cares of life and persecutions, will fall away. Their hearts were not good ground, but stony and thorny ground. Not everyone who calls themselves Christian are Christian. Not everyone will overcome. But to those who are faithful to Christ unto death will be the true winners. They will not be hurt by the second death. They will be delivered. In other words, the first death is nothing. The first death of poverty, slander, tribulation - by comparison, is nothing. In the same way, the wealth you have is nothing compared to the crown of life. That wealth will one day dry up. But spiritual wealth, holiness, salvation, the streets of gold, the tree of life, the sea of glass, the foundations of heaven, that river of life will never dry up. We needn’t fear the second death because Christ is the first and the last, the one who died the first death, but is alive never to face the second death. He overcame that second death for us. If we are faithful to Christ, we will survive the second death. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

Dearly beloved, how can we apply this? Firstly, I want to give Christ’s commendation and exhortation to you who are suffering because you’ve not compromised. You’ve struggled in the work place and school - in the world, maybe towards your friends, colleagues, family - you’ve maintained your witness, your conscience. You’ve written 0805 hrs when everyone would write 0759. You’ve chosen not to work on the Lord’s Day. You’ve chosen not to tell a lie. You’ve not backed down from being a witness. And you’ve experienced trouble. The Lord knows. He sees your tribulation - he hears the slander against you, he knows what risk of poverty you endure. But he commends your wealth and your worth. And for those of you who are weak, and struggle to keep a clear conscience, he strengthens you with these words - he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to you. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer! Be thou faithful unto death!

Secondly, I want to give Christ’s warning to those who have compromised with impunity. He’s not speaking to you like he speaks to the overcomers. He speaks to you who enjoy the riches due to your compromises. You’ve not be rich toward God. Perhaps you even scoff at those who’d obey God. You slander them. Perhaps you’ve said - work is better on the Sabbath; a white lie is okay; don’t be stupid - write 0759! Don’t be too involved in church. Faith is good, but life in the world is better. Will the Lord say of you - they’re no Jews, but a synagogue of Satan? “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.”

Let us reason together. Who is the first and last in your life? If it’s the Lord Jesus, return to him. Repent. Resolve to live for him. While the world may never forgive 0805, our Lord Jesus forgives even the one who comes in at the eleventh hour. It’s not too late for you.

1. He Assured Her of His Sovereign Preeminence

A. Christ is preeminent

B. Her unique context

 2. He Evaluated Her Suffering and Status

A. Her triple suffering

B. Her wealth and worthiness 

3. He Exhorted Her to Fearlessness and Faithfulness

A. Be fearless

B. Be faithful 

4. He Promised to Reward Her With Preeminence

A. Her reward

B. Her deliverance

Conversation for Change:

1. What spiritual worthiness or wealth do Christians in Singapore often give up to pursue preeminence in work or school? How have you seen this in your own life? What self-denial and suffering are required for you to be spiritually wealthy?

2. If parents and young people are gripped by true fear for the salvation of the young people in church, how will that affect their fearlessness of not being first and faithfulness in facing failure in such a rich and successful city like Smyrgapore?

3. We want to be rich both economically and spiritually. It’s fine if we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness – but we don’t. Why is it that we try to serve both mammon and God?