Someone recently informed me that despite conducting a serious search they had been unable to find the perfect church in Belfast! I was tempted to respond using the words attributed to C H Spurgeon: “If you find the perfect church make sure you don’t join it. It’s perfection will be no more!” We know that no perfection can be found in church life or in any other sphere of life this side of glory. However, the church in Smyrna, whilst undoubtedly not perfect, receives no words of rebuke from Jesus and is set before us as a congregation of impressive spirituality and faithfulness. In that sense Smyrna is a model church.

The City⤒🔗

Smyrna, now called Izmir, was situated thirty five miles north of Ephesus and rivalled Ephesus for the title and reputation of ‘first city’. There were numerous buildings of beautiful architecture in Smyrna appropriate for a place of learning and writing. Its monetary system as well as its schools of medicine and science were widely known and the ‘Smyrna Tourist Guide’ would undoubtedly have mentioned its distinctive broad street and twenty thousand-seater open-air theatre. Although materially well favoured it was sadly a significant centre for the worship of the Roman Emperor and, of course, is known to us as the place that witnessed the martyrdom of the eighty six year old Polycarp in the second century.

The Persecution←⤒🔗

“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” (Rev 2:9). The Christians in Smyrna knew great persecution and trial because of their faithful allegiance to Christ. Several features of this persecution are highlighted in verse 9. The Jews were at the forefront of harassing the church. They were subjecting the Christians to slander and were undoubtedly deeply agitated by the conviction of the Christians that Jesus was the promised Messiah who was to be worshipped.

The persecution of the church led to poverty on the part of many of the church members. It seems likely that the Jews and others in Smyrna were boycotting the Christians and refusing to trade with them. It would also seem likely that the Christians would not have participated in the trade guilds because of the necessity for guild members to give recognition and worship to pagan idols. For these reasons and others the believers were suffering economically.

Of course the dominant reason why the believers were experiencing persecution was that Satan, our arch enemy, was driving the Jews and others to oppose them. The letter makes reference to “a synagogue of Satan” and in verse 10 to how “the devil is about to throw some of you into prison”. We, like these believers in the Smyrnan church, are involved in a warfare with the very powers of darkness. The forces of hell are against us and are trying to destroy us. Opposition and persecution manifests itself in various forms but behind each one is our enemy, Satan, the accuser.

The Encouragement←⤒🔗

Though the situation was very difficult for the Smyrnan believers they are set before us as model believers – remaining faithful to the Lord and his truth despite trials and afflictions. In that sense they are a challenge to us today to keep going in the face of numerous obstacles. Jesus, who is addressing them in this letter, encourages them to keep going by reminding them of certain great truths.

Jesus knows all about them. In verse 9 he reminds them twice that “he knows”. He’s involved with them, actively engaged with them in their work and witness, standing by them in their trials. More than that – he is in control. Whilst the persecution was fierce and hard yet it would only last a finite and limited period of time, referred to symbolically as “ten days” in verse 10. Jesus will permit Satan to attack his people at times but only for a limited period. Indeed, although the enemy is able to harass the church, it will ultimately be for their good. They will be “tested” and with the Lord’s supporting grace and help, will be able to stand firm and will emerge from the trial stronger believers. Ultimately Jesus reminds them that he will welcome them into heaven itself. Using athletic imagery, which would have been very familiar to the believers living in Smyrna where athletic competition was a feature of city life, He assures them that at the end of the race that is the Christian life they would receive the prize – the crown of life – glory itself.

Postscript←⤒🔗

I am writing this article in the warmth of my east Belfast study on a pleasant Saturday afternoon. I’m not expecting anyone to come to the door to harass me or persecute me for being a Christian. I’m looking forward to going to church tomorrow to worship with God’s people in Stranmillis. I don’t expect the doors of the church to be chained on my arrival or to experience any overt opposition to my preaching of God’s Word. So how is this letter from Jesus to the church in Smyrna relevant to me? Sure, I’m comforted by the recognition that any trial I experience is limited, that Jesus is always in control, that heaven awaits me as a child of God. But the essential thrust of the letter is to do with persecution, something I haven’t really experienced, certainly not to the same degree as the saints in Smyrna.

However, I would contend that whilst persecution is most certainly a dominant thought in the letter faithfulness is also very much to the fore. The church in Smyrna was busy – “I know your works” – continuing to serve faithfully despite the opposition. The believers were also prepared to be faithful unto prison and even death. Is Jesus not saying to us that we should be a faithful people, a faithful church, despite all the pressure as that weigh in against us? So in this age when we are being pressurised to give in to overly subjective worship, to tone down our emphasis on the importance and centrality of the preaching of the Word and to dumb down our insistence that there is only one way to God, let us remain faithful. Let us not yield to those subtle yet powerful forces within and out with the church that are encouraging us to adopt a less than Biblical approach to worship, preaching and witness. Let us, like Smyrna, remain faithful in the face of these pressures.