To the Church of Smyna

Saint Ignatius and the Lions

“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: “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. 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.

“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.”’ – Revelation 2:8-11

Jesus is dictating a letter to seven churches in Asia Minor through John. We know historically that there were more than seven churches at that time but, these were selected to represent messages to all churches in any circumstance. Smyrna is the second church selected by Jesus, and the only one identified as experiencing persecution. Does this mean they alone suffered persecution? No, we know historically that this was not the case. It is rather a message to the Church at large about how to act in the midst of persecution. They were not an affluent church and besides suffering persecution also suffered from poverty.

No one likes to think about persecution, but, all the writers of the New Testament warn us that we will suffer persecution. Paul writes, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” – 2 Timothy 3:12. Even Jesus promised His followers would be persecuted – Luke 21:12. What is the source of this hatred? It is Satan. Jesus said, “If they have hated Me, they will hate you, for the servant is not above his Master.” As Jesus warned the church of Smyrna, this persecution will mostly come from ‘religious’ sources. Remember, who was it that persecuted Jesus? It was basically religious Jews. The Roman Pilate went along with it to keep peace, but Jewish religious leaders were the force behind it. Jewish synagogues, (or congregations), who didn’t want to embrace the truth of the Gospel persecuted those in Smyrna. However, this is not just a Jewish problem for true followers of Jesus have always been persecuted by the ‘religious’ church down through the centuries, and it will intensify at the end of the age. Catholics persecute Lutherans, Lutherans persecute other Protestants, and they all have persecuted each other from time to time. Today Christians are persecuted and martyred in China by Communists, in India by Hindus and Muslims, and all over the Mid East by Muslims. It is even beginning in western countries, although not as violently but the threat is there.

Muslims march in England

Notice, in the letter to the church of Smyrna, Jesus refers to ‘poverty’ before He mentions the persecution. That is because when pressures of poverty strike any people they look for a scapegoat, and the devil sees to it that Christians are blamed. We are seeing this happen in our day. In Egypt people are rioting, even over-throwing their government – why? There is no food and what food is available is too expensive for the common people to buy. Now the Coptic Christians are suffering just as much as the Muslim Egyptians but, the Muslims used it as an excuse to turn on the Christians, burning their churches, killing Christians, and causing them to flee Egypt. The lack of food and its associated problems are behind many of the revolts going on around the globe. This problem is not going to go away, but is intensifying for the following reasons:

1. The World Bank declares 44 million people around the globe are living in extreme poverty because of the increase of food prices – up 36% since June, 2010.
2. Water shortages in Middle East lead to food shortages. Saudi Arabia will have no more wheat production by 2012.
3.  In the United States, extreme weather and floods cut food production and depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer could produce another ‘dust bowl’.
4. Plant diseases such as UG99 wheat rust are wiping out increasingly large segments of the world food supply.
5. Rising oil prices may be the biggest factor of all.
6. The commodity price of wheat has approximately doubled since last summer.
7. The commodity price of corn has also about doubled since last summer.
8. The commodity price of soybeans is up about 50% since last June.
9.  The commodity price of orange juice has doubled since 2009.
10. 3 billion people around the globe live on $2 a day and the world was already on the verge of economic disaster before this year began.

These are just a few of the reasons why riots and violence against Christians will increase in the days ahead.

Another reason for the persecution will be rebellion against the truth. As Christians live godly lives, they will automatically be a witness against ungodliness. Their light will expose the darkness – and those in darkness will not like it, even though they may have a name for following Jesus.

“Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” – Psalm 2:1-3

But to those who suffer for Christ’s sake, He has a word of comfort – it will only last 10 days, in other words, a short time. If we are faithful, He will give us the “crown of life” which is eternal. “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” Remember, we must all die once but, the second death will come to the unfaithful at the judgment throne of God as they are thrown into the lake of fire to be forever. Instead of that death, the faithful saints will have the crown of eternal life.