6.

REVELATION SERIES:
The Epistle to Smyrna – Revelation 2:8-11

As we have previously seen, the angel’s of the various churches are to be recognized as
the elder or elders of the churches, who are protected by the Lord Jesus Christ (1:16,20).
For Smyrna this would have been a most comforting message as we shall see.

Please Read Revelation 2:8-11

Verse 8: Smyrna was founded as a Greek colony in about 1000 BC. It was destroyed in
around 600 BC, remaining in ruins for three centuries, until it was rebuilt by Lysimachus
and Antigonus between 301-281 BC.

The city of Smyrna was located on an arm of the Aegean Sea, some 50km north of
Ephesus at the end of an overland caravan route from Lydia, Phrygia and beyond. With a
population of some 200 000 it claimed on its coinage to be the ‘First city of Asia in
beauty and size.’ It boasted a harbor, a stadium, a library, the largest theatre in Asia, a
temple to Zeus, a temple to the local form of the goddess Cybele and a temple to the
Roman Emperor Tiberius. The ‘crown of Smyrna,’ was the group of public buildings
located on the Hill Pagus that sloped up from the sea. The city also claimed to be the
birthplace of the poet Homer. Smyrna still thrives today as the modern ‘Izmir,’ the
second largest city in Asian Turkey.

The apostle Paul during his third missionary journey around the years 53-56 AD,
probably founded the church in Smyrna (Acts 19:1ff). A letter from Ignatius to Polycarp
and the church, some 20 years after the Revelation, reveals a church organised with
Polycarp as bishop, with elders and deacons.

Polycarp, who was a disciple of John, was probably bishop of Smyrna at the time of
Revelation. He was one of 12 who were martyred for refusing to compromise their
Christian profession by acknowledging Caesar as Lord.

‘Eighty six years I have served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King
and Saviour? ... You threaten me with fire that burns for an hour, and after a little while is extinguished,
but you are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment, reserved for the

Revelation Bible Study Series: 6. The Epistle to Smyrna – Revelation 2:8-11 1

ungodly. But why do you tarry? Bring on what you will.’

Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna

Christ’s Self-designation to Smyrna also comes from the initial vision and description of
Revelation 1:13-18 and is appropriately relevant to the persecuted church. Christ is He
who is eternal, being before all and after all.

Christ was victorious over death, with the Greek laying the stress upon the historical
events of His death and resurrection. ‘He became dead, and lived again’ (cf Rom 14:9; 1
Pet 3:18). This would have provided tremendous encouragement and comfort to the
church in its time of hardship and persecution.

QUESTION:How would Christ’s Self-designation have provided needed encouragement

and comfort to the afflicted saints in Smyrna? Is there any relevance in this for today?
Explain.

NOTE: INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY QUESTIONS HERE: Explain how the believers in Smyrna are rich?

What is a ‘synagogue of Satan (2:9)?’

Verse 9: As with Ephesus, there is a reference here to the omniscience of Christ, as He

who knows all that is happening in Smyrna (1:13,20; 2:1). The words He speaks are
those of comfort, for he fully understands the situation in Smyrna.

The church was undergoing tribulation, suffering persecution at the hands of the Jewish
population and the Roman government. They were facing extreme poverty, probably as
a result of their persecution (Heb 10:34), having lost all for their loyalty to Christ. Even
though the believers were in material poverty, they were spiritually rich, having laid up
great treasure in spiritual fruit and in heaven (Mt 6:20; 19:21; Lk 12:21; 2 Cor 6:10; Jam
2:5).

They who said that they were ‘Jews and are not,’ are they who were the physical
descendants of Abraham, but who were not believers in Christ. They believed
themselves to be the true people of God, acting zealously for the God of their Fathers.
However, true ‘Jews’ are they who are so inwardly, being the spiritual descendants of
Abraham (Rom 2:28,29; 4:13-16; Jn 8:31-47).

The blasphemy of these Jews was that of various slanders, railings and reproaches
against the work of God in the gospel and His true servants (Acts 13:45). Such slandering
showed them to be of their Father the Devil (12:9,10; Acts 13:50; 14:2,5,19; 17:5; 24:1;

Revelation Bible Study Series: 6. The Epistle to Smyrna – Revelation 2:8-11 2

Gal 6:16). As they probably operated out of a synagogue within Smyrna, these
blasphemers are identified as belonging to ‘a synagogue of Satan,’ meaning an assembly
that was under the leadership of Satan, carrying out the will of their leader in
persecuting the true church of Christ.

Verse 10: The Greek here indicates an exhortation to ‘stop being afraid,’ suggesting a
prevailing atmosphere of fear in the church (Mt 10:27-31). There seems to have been a
realisation in the church that greater tribulation was imminent. Yet John tells them not
to fear any of those things with which they were to be afflicted.

Attention is drawn to the reality of the imminent persecution that Satan would stir up,
by which he would throw a number of the believers in Smyrna into prison in order to
await execution. Yet behind this persecution was the sovereign Lord, who would use
this time of persecution for the purpose of testing the faithfulness of the church’s
profession. This period of persecution was clearly going to be under the control of God.

The ten days of tribulation is not to be seen as a literal ten days, but more likely in
keeping with the symbolism of the book, a period of definite but limited duration (Is
26:20; 54:8; Mt 24:22; 2 Cor 4:17; 1 Pet 1:16). This warning of a definite and controlled
period of persecution is meant to be an encouragement to the church, especially when
it finds itself in the midst of it.

The church is exhorted to be faithful, even at the cost of their lives (12:1; Heb 12:3-8;
Rom 8:18), for a greater reward awaits them, even the crown of life. This is a symbol of
victory, an analogy taken from the games conducted in Smyrna (1 Cor 9:25; Phil 3:14; 2
Tim 4:8; Jam 1:12).

QUESTION: How is it possible for the church then, and indeed the church now, to not
fear tribulation?

Verse 11: There is another reference to the regenerated ear here (2:7) and to the
relevance of the message to all the churches. Those with spiritual ears will both hear
and heed the Spirit’s message, a message that will bring such people comfort and
encouragement.

They who overcome, or rather persevere to the end, are assured that they will not be
hurt or harmed by the second death. This refers to the issue of real justice, which in the
first death believers may have been deprived of. For them the assurance is of a right
judgment the second time round (20:14; 21:8; Deut 33:6; Is 52:14; 65:6,15; Jer 51:39,57;
Lk 12:4,5).

QUESTION: Explain what you understand of the second death? See also Revelation
20:11-15 and 21:6-8.

Revelation Bible Study Series: 6. The Epistle to Smyrna – Revelation 2:8-11 3

INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY

Where is it that Satan dwells (2:13)?

What does Revelation 2:16 mean?

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Revelation Bible Study Series: 6. The Epistle to Smyrna – Revelation 2:8-11 4