The letter to the church in Smyrna
Are you familiar with Smyrna? You should be, because you will find a blameless church there - but it may not be the right one for you.
Smyrna is one of two churches that receives no rebuke from Jesus. What is their secret?
Historical background
Smyrna was located about 70 km north of Ephesus. It was located in a bay with an excellent harbor, and this was the reason for the wealth of this economically important city.
In the year AD 20, a temple was built to honor the Emperor. Smyrna thus became one of the leading cities in the worship of the Emperor.
Little is known about the origin of the church - perhaps it was established by Paul around the time he founded the church in Ephesus.
Jesus view
Jesus approaches the church as the risen one who has conquered death. This is a vision the church needs because it is being attacked from all sides:
- They have to fight financially, probably because they won’t join the guilds.
- There are some Jews who slander the Church. These same people are probably also why Christians are sent go to jail (“the devil will put some of you in jail” and Jews are “a synagogue of Satan”).
The reference to 10 days is a link to the story of Daniel, who ate only vegetables so as not to defile himself with unclean food from the king’s table.
The perspective
Jesus promises that if they endure the suffering, they will not be harmed by the second death.
Jesus encourages them in their suffering as he has already overcome Satan by going through death into resurrection and appearing as week, so believer could reign with him. This is a paradox. How does this paradox work?
The more we are unable to do anything, the more Jesus can work. However, there is a danger of being so overwhelmed by despair that we give up. We don’t have to solve bad situations, but we have to endure them with him.