Fellow-Redeemed,
Consider the source. This is good advice when it comes to believing or not believing something someone says to us. If we know the person to be a liar, or someone who uses words like punches, most likely we can ignore any judgment they may make about us. If, however, we know the person to be truthful, or someone who uses words to build us up, most certainly we can listen to what they say and take it to heart.
This was the situation for the believers in Smyrna, about 35 miles northwest of Ephesus. It is today’s Turkish city of Izmir with a population of almost 3 million. On the one hand, the Christians had to endure the slander of those “who say they are Jews and are not.” Now through John’s letter from Jesus they would hear “I know your afflictions and your poverty-yet you are rich.”
They were to ignore the slander and take to heart their Savior’s words; even though outwardly Jesus’ judgment seemed to be wrong. They did not appear to be rich. They were to consider the source. Jesus showed them in this letter just how true his judgment was and why. The risen and exalted Christ told John, “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:” First, there is nothing to fear from the hands of the wicked; second, there is deliverance from the second death for all who remain faithful.
The opening words of the letter identify its source, “These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.” The writer is the eternal God who was before all things, and who is without end. This description is parallel to Jesus’ being “the Alpha and the Omega who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” [Re. 1:8] These are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet and familiar Christian symbols.
The author of the letter is the one who died but is not dead. He came to life again in the tomb and appeared to his disciples. He ascended into heaven and sits at God’s right hand as the Ruler of all things, especially the hearts of believers. It is from his throne on high that Jesus dictated this letter. They were to consider the source and trust the truth of his words. The believers in Smyrna were poor. Whether they were just poor or Christ’s enemies, the Jews who did not believe in him as the Messiah, had taken everything away from them we do not know for sure. Jesus did know “their afflictions and their poverty.” His judgment was this, “Yet you are rich.”
Jesus is no liar. He does not use his words as punches to hurt. Jesus speaks the truth in order to build up the faith of his children. They were poor materially but they were rich because God loved them and was with them. They had nothing to fear from the hands of the wicked. No matter how things were for them in the earthly kingdom, in the kingdom of God they had all spiritual blessings no one could steal from them.
Their enemies were the Jews by blood who were not Jews by faith. Real Jews are all people who share the faith of our father, Abraham; all who believe God’s promise is fulfilled in Christ. These false Jews were a “synagogue of Satan” who is a liar and who uses words to hurt. The believers were to ignore the devil’s slander through the slander of his followers. That slander was the Jesus Christ was not the Messiah and that you had to keep the law to be saved. It was the slander that they were God’s chosen people and not the Christian Jews.
The Christians would suffer. Prison was in the future for some. The Jews who were not Jews would persecute the Christians. Their earthly suffering would be only temporary and for a short time. The numbers in Revelation are symbolic. The ten days indicate a time God has set and knows, and it is of a short duration.
In all of that, the Christians in Smyrna had nothing to fear. Jesus commended them for their faithfulness. This letter is one of two with no criticism. The promise is final victory pictured for them by “the crown.” This was the laurel wreath the judges put on the head of the winning athlete at the end of a contest or race.
Jesus’ message to the pastor to share with his people was a message of life. It was life lived now in the wealth of trust in Christ and all spiritual blessings. It was a life lived also in sure hope. Even believers like all people must face the first death. There is deliverance from the second death for all who remain faithful.
We have some additional insight into the meaning of the second death by looking ahead in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 20:14 we read, “The lake of fire is the second death.” This is eternal damnation in hell. All must die because death is in the world because of Adam’s sin. Only unbelievers will suffer in hell. Believers are certain of escaping that timeless punishment for turning their backs on God’s promise of salvation in Christ alone.
Jesus again gives the members of the congregation a call to hear, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” The believers were to consider the source of the truths; they are rich in spite of their seeming poverty, and they will live eternally in spite of the first death we all must pass through. The Holy Spirit is speaking the truth in order to build up the faith of the believers in Smyrna, and to build up our faith.
We daily choose whether to listen to the lies and slander that come from the Father of lies and hurt us like punches, or to give ear to the truth of God’s Word that builds up our faith and keeps our certain hope of heaven alive. We consider the source and cling to God’s Word and its assurance of the winner’s circle, “Be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.” Amen. <SDG>