8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

The book of revelation contains letters to seven churches, dictated to the last remaining Apostle (John), by our Lord and God Jesus Himself.  These letters are timeless commendations and commands to the churches in John’s day, and are directed to the churches in our day as well. 

Smyrna was a real place and still exists today as Izmir Turkey.  It was a very wealthy city, producing the perfume myrrh. Smyrna was the center for science and medicine and was detailed by the compelled worship of Roman deities.  Smyrna featured a “street of gold” that had at least five major pagan temples on it, including temples to Cybele, Apollo, Asklepios, Aphrodite, and Zeus.

In this environment Christians were heavily persecuted.  They could not sell their products unless they joined trade guilds, much like today’s unions.  These guilds would require frequent, usually weekly or even daily, sacrifices and participation in events honoring the pagan gods.  These events would include eating meat sacrificed to idols, taking psychedelic drugs and participation in orgies, spending the night in a temple filled with snakes, etc. 

As such, the early Christians were barely surviving, the tribulation they faces on a daily basis led them to near and literal death.  Christ commended them on their steadfastness and encouraged them with additional good news, they would be tossed in prison for ten days.  (Notice who is blaspheming the Christians, the false Jews who were of the synagogue of Satan!  Ignoring the true Messiah and persecuting His flock is to do Satan’s work!)

Why is this good news?  Because the sometimes-severe testing of our faith greatly helps us.  Several passages detail this principle:

James 1:2-4 – 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

1 Peter 5:10 – But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

These trials are for our benefit.  They prove and increase the strength of our faith.  They build, increase, and validate our faith not to God, who knows all, but to ourselves.  Building and revealing our new character, proving our immersion in Christ Jesus.

The result of this testing is the gift of the “crown of life.”  This crown is the reward of eternal life.  This is not works-based salvation.  Our response to salvation is obeying Christ’s commands, including enduring trials and tribulations.  True Christians will endure.

Finally, we are told that whoever has an ear, let him hear.  This is a direct result of Christian understanding, as 1 Cor 2:14 informs us – “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  The Holy Spirit informs our understanding of these words, they are not a mystery. 

We are to heed these commands and embrace them, doing so out of love for our God.  Though difficult trials may face us, we will grow in character and look forward to an un-imaginable eternity with Christ.

God bless,

Ron