APOKALUPSIS | 012 | To the Angel of Smyrna

 

The second letter of Jesus was addressed to the messenger of the church at Smyrna. During the time of John, Smyrna was apparently a city of great beauty and impressive architecture that circled Mount Pagus like a “crown”. When walking through the city, one would see the Ephesian gate, a gymnasium (near the harbor), a stadium (west side), a theater (holding 20,000 and located on the northwest mountain slope), temples to Zeus (including a large altar), Cybele (the Mother Goddess, near the harbor), Aphrodite, Dionysius, and the Emperors (probably Tiberius in 26 AD and Domitian before 96 AD), the harbor, a library, and a massive agora with a bema on the west and a basilica on the north. This wealthy city was also known for its exceptionally good wine that could be used for both enjoyment and medicinal purposes.

Smyrna was dedicated to the worship of the emperor and the imperial cult. Along with the other cities of Asia Province, Smyrna competed for the honor of building a temple to Tiberius in 26 AD, winning the honor and becoming the “temple warden” of the imperial cult. In the 2nd century AD, Smyrna built another imperial temple to Hadrian. Along with inscriptions honoring the emperors and statues of Domitian and Trajan, coins issued by the city often depicted emperors and even the imperial temples. Due to the strong influence of emperor worship in the city, which during the 2nd century AD was required by law and punishable by imprisonment or death.

In his address to the church at Smyrna, Jesus began by saying, "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)..." (Revelation 2:9) This church may have been physically poor, but they were rich in the truth, faith, and character of Jesus Christ (James 2:5). Polycarp, who had known and been taught by John the Apostle, was martyred in Smyrna at the instigation of Jews in about 156 AD. The 2nd century Church bishop and apologist Irenaeus was born in Smyrna, and knew Polycarp in his youth, although he relocated to Lyon in Gaul to lead the local church there.

Historical accounts by Eusebius (Bishop of Caesarea, 324 AD) state that when Polycarp was apprehended and brought before the proconsul at Smyrna, the Jews were the most furious of all in demanding his condemnation. Of these people, Jesus said, "I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." (Revelation 2:9)

In the book of Ezekiel, God spoke to the prophet saying, "Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God." (Ezekiel 28:2) The Emperors of the Roman Empire claimed and demanded to be worshipped as gods just as Satan did, for he said in his heart, "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." (Isaiah 14:13-14) It is therefore evident, the Jews in Smyrna have pledged allegiance to the religion of the Emperors, for Jesus saw that they belonged to the "...synagogue of Satan..." (Revelation 2:9)

Although many look at this condemnation of people claiming to be Jewish from a literal perspective, meaning these people were descendants of the tribe of Judah, there is another way to understand this point. In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Romans 2:28-29, emphasis added). In this sense, all Christians regardless of their ethnic background are considered Jews, spiritually speaking.

In response to the things tribulation faced by the church, Jesus says, "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10) In Bible prophetic terms, a day symbolizes a year (see Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6), therefore, 10 days is equal to 10 years. When was this prophecy fulfilled? Let's find out...

Although there was a significant level of persecution of the Christian church during the 1st and 2nd Centuries, especially by the Roman Emperors, none is more terrible and bloodier than the acts committed by Emperor Diocletian. In the nineteenth year of his reign, 303. In this dreadful persecution, which lasted ten years, houses filled with Christians were set on fire, and whole droves were tied together with ropes and thrown into the sea. It is related that 17, 000 were slain in one month's time; and that during the continuance of this persecution, in the province of Egypt alone, no less than 144, 000 Christians died by the violence of their persecutors; besides 700, 000 that died through the fatigues of banishment, or the public works to which they were condemned. (see Charles Buck's Theological Dictionary) This period of persecution was also the last done by Pagan Roman Emperors for Diocletian's empire was succeeded by Constantine the Great, who legalized Christianity, brought their persecution to an end, and was also baptized into the faith.

To this church was made the promise, "...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10) The crown signifies victory and royalty attained by great sacrifice, just like our Lord Jesus!

Smyrna signifies myrrh, fit appellation for the church of God while passing through the fiery furnace of persecution, and proving herself a “sweet-smelling savor” unto him. But we soon reach the days of Constantine, when the church presents a new phase, rendering a far different name and another message applicable to her history. We, therefore, designate Smyrna as the church that existed from 100 AD to the beginning of the reign of Emperor Constantine I in 306 AD.

Jesus in his concluding message to the church of Smyrna says, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Revelation 2:11) We will learn more about the second death in the later stages of this blog series, but for now, I would absolutely not recommend that you be part of it.

Until the next post, God bless you.