Revelation 2:8-11 / The Church of Smyrna
The Suffering Church
by Leo Diaz
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life: “I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death.
THE EXORDIUM FOR SMYRNA
John’s vision moves us to the next church, Smyrna. Much like Ephesus, Smyrna was a thriving port city celebrated for its economic wealth and longstanding alliance with mother Rome. Known as the “City of Resurrection”, Smyrna was destroyed following an enemy invasion in 600 BC and eventually redeveloped 400 years later. The church itself was repeatedly crushed by bitter persecutions and virtually destroyed only to be restored to life every time.
The opening words for the seven messages to the seven churches follow the pattern of imperial edicts with the opening line called the exordium, imperial titles that are associated with attributes or local references specific to these churches (v8). For Smyrna, Jesus is heralded as the “first and the last” and the one “who was dead and came to life”. These titles deeply intertwine with Smyrna’s civic identity as the “First City of Asia Minor” and the “City of Resurrection”, reflecting Jesus’s primacy (firstborn among many, ruling from the right hand of the Father), but also the last in status, the King on the cross who chose the path of shame and humiliation over the path of honor and worldly power.
THE PRICE FOR THEIR ALLEGIANCE
The Christians in Smyrna were excluded from the local economy because of their faithfulness to Jesus (v9). Their poverty stemmed from accusations by professional informants known as “Delatores”, gossip gatherers on Roman payroll who reported dissident behavior to the emperor. Among these accusers were Jewish authorities from the local synagogue, John’s Jewish brethren whom he bitterly refers to as the “synagogue of Satan”, a trope for the accusatory tactics used by Rome against dissidents.
John’s edict continues with a reminder that while death may be the result of their faithfulness, the crown of resurrection will ultimately be their reward (v10). They’re told to not fear, for as Daniel was sustained for 10 days for his refusal to eat the diet of Nebuchadnezzar, so too will they be sustained and rewarded for resisting the diet of Babylon.
A THOUSAND LITTLE DEATHS
Allegiance to Christ often looks like a death of some sort. For our ancient siblings living out their faith in a hostile empire frequently meant facing actual death. For you and I today, following the way of the slain Lamb of God can lead to a death of a different kind. Perhaps a social death. Or the death of an inherited theology. For some, the death of interpersonal relationships that became strained and unhealthy due to shifting values. The ancient Mystics believed this phenomena was an integral part of our journey, they called it the Journey of a Thousand Little Deaths. But on the other side of these metaphorical deaths awaits the hope of resurrection.
ESCAPE FROM THE SECOND DEATH
At last, the Christ edict to the church in Smyrna concludes with a promise: the second death, later identified as the Lake of Fire and Sulphur (Rev.19:20), will not harm them. This is an analogy for God’s judgment on the cosmic and spiritual forces of Babylon. For the Smyrnaeans, the presence of God, described as sulfur (which is used in metallurgy to strip off impurities from precious metals) has already done the work in them. Their solidarity with the Lamb is evidence that the impurities of Babylon have been stripped away from among them. We bear the same responsibility over our lives. Amidst the flames of brokenness, we don’t run away, we run towards those at the bottom, armed with the word of our testimony— “Jesus is Lord!”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Can you share a time when your faithfulness to Jesus led to a death of some sort?
What are some examples that you have witnessed the presence of God stripping away Babylon around you? Or in the wider culture?
How has worldly power in the name of God affected your own life?
When people use worldly power in the name of God, God becomes a Satan to someone. Have you experienced this distortion of God in your own lives? Or in the lives of others?