Within these four specific verses is amazing empowerment, encouragement, and empathy from Jesus to a group of believers undergoing intense suffering. Not only does the church of Smyrna represent a true, historic body of people that actually existed, it is also a picture of the human condition of suffering and persecution still going on today.
The letter to Ephesus described a time period of 33ad to 100ad and emphasized Jesus' hands and feet. The Smyrna church period is from 100ad to 314ad. Five million Christians were martyred during this time. That's equivalent to 500 million today, according to our population growth. Here you see Jesus relating to them by revealing His own suffering, death, and resurrection. He knew what they were going through. He knew what it felt like. It must've been incredibly comforting and encouraging for them to hear. In 314, Constantine would finally issue the Edict of Toleration to bring relief to the Christians and stop the brutal killings.
The Romans had been persecuting Christians harshly during this time period. If Christians didn't pledge allegiance to Rome, they would take their possessions and money. Jesus understood they were poor. But they were very, very rich, spiritually, and Jesus honored that. He had no condemnation for this church. The only other church that doesn't receive a complaint in the letters of Revelation is Philadelphia. Ironically, they are the only two churches still in existence today. There must be something to that.
The Romans would at times bring Christians into their stadium, dress them up in sheep's clothing, and turn the lions loose. Otherwise, they might burn them alive after tying them to a pole. That is how Polycarp, one of John's very own disciples would pass away in 155ad. To the end, Polycarp remained faithful and fearless, trusting in Jesus for his salvation. What an example for us today. I like how Moody stated, "Born twice, die once. Born once, die twice."
The Romans were also doing some major damage in Christians' lives by twisting the truth and propagating vicious rumors and gossiping. Satan is behind such degradation. Jesus also knew a thing or two about that. The first thing He told them was that He was God. That's what they needed to hear. "I am the First and the Last". That's a reference to Isaiah. It means Jesus is God Almighty and in control of things. "Do not be afraid." There must be good reason He wrote that command so many times in the Bible for us. Our world is full of fear and results from fear. "You're going to suffer for ten days." That's probably a reference to ten nasty Roman Emperors that would increasingly torture them. "I'll give you the crown of life." This was a special reference to these folks that were living in "Crown City" where they had trees and shrubs growing in a crown-like formation around Mt. Pagos. It was ironic that such dirty, horrible persecutions were going on in such a beautiful port city. It was also known as the "city that came back from the dead", as Alexander the Great had it rebuilt at the base of the mountain.
Smyrna means "myrrh" or "bitterness". The Romans offered Jesus myrrh while He was suffering on the cross. They used it as medicine. It was one of the precious commodities the wise men brought as gifts to Jesus' birth. It was also an aromatic perfume. Esther bathed in myrrh for six months in preparation for presentation to the king. It was a sweet, pleasing aroma when burned in incense. Jesus' dead body was bathed in myrrh for burial.
What is the application of all this? Well, how does one get myrrh? Myrrh is harvested from a tree after one repeatedly wounds it deeply. It is produced by the crushing blows of a weapon or tool. The tree bleeds a very aromatic resin to be collected for its various valuable uses. Something so sweet and pleasant from such brutal trauma and injury.
The Good Life? When people undergo persecution and suffering for Christ's sake, they fairly well forsake most other things. Their very lives are in jeopardy, so they aren't too worried about missing yoga class or getting to that PTA meeting. The same goes for us when that tragedy occurs or when sustaining a debilitating injury. Some activities simply get sidelined as you focus on the priority at hand. It's a very pure existence of true dependence on Jesus without distractions and diluted devotions. When we are strong and healthy, it is almost expected these days to fill your calendar with activities, participations, and efforts. Funny, most groups understand when you are going through trying times. They give you a free pass or excuse. But if you're healthy and able, you better be there or be square!
The fact is, The Good Life can spread you so thin, your relationship with Jesus gets quite compromised. The first things to go are living in the Spirit, prayer, reading the Bible, loving God, and loving others. This is catastrophic to the Christian! This is where you begin going through the motions and looking the part, but without heart. We discussed that last week in studying Ephesus. They had left their First Love. They were to remember how they used to be, repent of what they currently were doing, return to Jesus as their First Love, and repeat the things they used to do-even if they didn't feel like it. It reminds me of marriage versus a courtship. We love the passion and excitement of courtship, but struggle as years in marriage go by. We can't afford to stop doing the things that kindle the relationship, even if we aren't feeling it. Remember this on this Valentine's Day. We also love the "new car smell" of new ideas and activities, but our interests wane over time-especially with ministries. When did the exciting ministry idea become an undesirable one? Stay the course. Keep going and doing those things. He will bring the fruit.
As we age, our interests narrow. Some due to less energy, but some simply due to loss of appetite. They just don't seem as attractive. It's quite a blessing, really. I don't know how we maintain the pace of living the Good Life. It's exhausting. In our relentless pursuit of producing, I wonder what we actually are producing. I pray we take a sober look at how we spend our time and energy (and money, for that matter). What is really going to matter on our death beds? We should be doing those things now. I want us to allow the Spirit to search our hearts and illuminate those things that are distracting us from a good relationship with Jesus. Don't be found saying, "why was I so caught up in that? or why did I waste my time with that?" Have the courage to say "no" to those things that are vain and draining of your precious devotion to Jesus. Otherwise, make sure to take Him into the very center of every activity you participate in.
Here's how this looks: as a saved believer and disciple of Jesus Christ, you have and are continuing to participate in a transaction of your life. You don't own yourself anymore. He bought you at a high price, costing His very own life. He is your Lord and Savior. He is your source of life. Hobbies and other interests only provide temporary satisfaction. Keep those things in perspective and in their place. Don't let them rise up to be other gods before Him. He is the only source of true fulfillment and purpose. You buy in to His agenda and forsake your own. He created you to bring Him glory. You are going to bring Him glory in heaven, so why not start now? It's foolish to think you can just live your own way, then slide into heaven and suddenly start bringing Him glory with praise and worship. You aren't here to bring glory to yourself. He wants everyone to experience freedom, grace, and life here on Earth and to go to heaven to be with Him for eternity. You are to cooperate with that agenda by loving Him and His people, allowing His light to shine through you. He wants you to give testimony to others about what He has done for you, even about your salvation. He is in charge of your life now. You don't have to worry. You don't have to fear. You don't have to be disappointed. You don't have to be depressed. You don't have to be disillusioned. You are invincible, not only in the sense that you have eternal life in Him, but you are resilient and resistant to the devastating effects of worldly frustrations and persecutions. When you experience suffering, you are being crushed to emit a very pleasing aroma to your Savior. He knows how you feel. Be faithful. There's no need to fear dying. You know where you are going. You can trust Him with the rest of the story. It's His anyway. Those are His kids. That's His wife. Trust Him.
