by
Forerunner, "Bible Study," November 9, 2023

The letter to Smyrna contains a rarity among the seven churches: Its Author

The book of Revelation’s internal evidence shows that the most relevant fulfillment of these epistles from Jesus Christ is as an end-time message to all seven churches simultaneously. Though there may be a continuous application from the era of the first-century apostles until now, that is history. The apostle John informs the reader in Revelation 1:10 that the primary setting of Revelation is the end-time Day of the Lord, so its greatest impact will fall on those alive just before Christ returns. Therefore, no matter the historical application, all seven messages are pertinent to the church of the last days.

Since they pertain to our time, we must determine if the letters’ instructions apply personally. Though all are part of the Body of Christ, each church is different in various ways, just as individual church members differ. The Ephesian condition, we found, contains a mixture of praiseworthy and blameworthy actions and attitudes. We will see that all the churches will exhibit this condition—except for the second church, Smyrna.

1. Who addresses the church in Smyrna? Revelation 2:8.

Comment: Lest there be any question, the message to Christians who fit the category and attitudes of Smyrna in the end time comes straight from the resurrected Jesus Christ Himself. At the head of each epistle, He stresses that its content is not anyone else’s opinion but is direct instruction from the Head of the church. We must examine ourselves and see if His message includes any of our attitudes, problems, or situations. If so, we need ears to hear (Revelation 2:11).

Jesus introduces Himself with part of the description of His glorified appearance in Revelation 1:17-18 (see also Isaiah 44:6-8): “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.” It aligns perfectly with the theme of His letter to the Smyrnans: death and life through resurrection. He urges them to hold on to the fact that, though a Christian may die under persecution, he will live again, eternally, through the resurrection from the dead.

2. Is it good to be classified by Christ as Smyrnan? Revelation 2:9-11.

Comment: Though most people in the present-day church of God like to view themselves as “Philadelphians,” Smyrna is the only one of the seven to receive no criticism at all from Christ! While Philadelphia does not receive harsh criticism, Christ notes it has “a little [spiritual] strength.” Evidently, the Christians in Smyrna were faithful witnesses of God and His way of life.

3. Is Smyrna, then, a perfect church with perfect people? Did Christ overlook some of its problems? Revelation 2:9.

Comment: Our Savior—our Judge—is not bashful about pointing out sin—witness some harsh words to the other six! Apparently, some members today fit the Smyrnan category: They have no significant flaws worth mentioning. They are not self-righteous, as Christ says of Laodicea, a physically wealthy group who assumes comparable spiritual riches, which turns out to be a false self-assessment. The materially poor Smyrnans, suffering persecution, are spiritually rich in good works and faith.

However, just as He does to the other churches, Christ commands those of Smyrna to overcome if they desire to enter God’s Kingdom. No one is without sin (Romans 3:23), so the Smyrnans must grow in faith, love, and obedience like the rest. Some in Smyrna will be tested in tribulation and persecution—jailed and tried to the point of death. Some of them may even die as martyrs! As Christ says, He will prune even a productive branch that it might bear more fruit (John 15:2).

4. Does Smyrna have enemies? Revelation 2:9-10; II Timothy 3:12; Daniel 11:32-35.

Comment: Both Smyrna and Philadelphia are beset by those who claim to be Christian but are not. Because Smyrnans are more truly righteous than some others in the end-time church, Satan hates them and brings heavy religious persecution on them. They may be some of those in Daniel 11 who show strength in the face of such persecution and “carry out great exploits.”

5. Smyrnans suffer persecution for ten days. How long is that? Revelation 2:10.

Comment: Daniel and his companions ate vegetables for ten literal days (Daniel 1:11-20), so this persecution may also last ten days. On the other hand, God sometimes uses a day to represent a year (see Numbers 14:34), so perhaps Smyrna will face ten years of persecution. The period of persecution, testing, and refining mentioned in Daniel 11:33 can be variously translated as simply “days” or “many days,” “some days” (The Emphasized Bible), or “for some time” (The New American Bible). It could be metaphorical, meaning “a short while.” In such a case, we should hope for the best and prepare for the worst! Jesus says those who follow Him will suffer persecution, but we should not fear, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33). He will see us through it.

6. Though Christ does not criticize Smyrna, He tries her faithfulness. Is it “worth it” to be righteous, given the Smyrnans will be severely tested, even to death? Revelation 2:10-11.

Comment: God will heavily chasten Laodicea for her halfhearted approach to her relationship with Him and try them “in the fire” of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 3:18-19). Is it not preferable to be righteous, with God allowing persecution by men within His merciful limits (see II Samuel 24:10-14), rather than face God’s wrath for sin? Job confronted heavy trials, but God, on his side throughout, made them turn out beautifully. Jesus says, “Do not fear those who kill the body . . .. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Being truly righteous will attract troubles from outsiders and Satan, but the reward is worth the effort! Our Savior promises those in Smyrna a crown of life (James 1:12) and protection from the second death (Revelation 20:14) for remaining faithful. If we could choose which of the seven churches Christ identifies us with, Smyrna just might be the top choice. We have that choice—by making righteous choices daily, overcoming our selfish nature, and putting on the character image of Christ. God has set before us the option of life and death, blessing and cursing, and He urges us to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19)—eternal life in His Kingdom!