THE SMYRNA CHURCH
Dr. Stephen R. Phinney
SMYRNA
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for 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 will not be hurt by the second death.’” Revelation 2.8-11
Smyrna is an ancient city in present-day Izmir, Turkey. Izmir also incorporates the nearby biblical old towns of Ephesus, Pergamon, and Sardis. Smyrna was founded by the Ionians (Coastal Greeks) at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia (Asia Minor). Smyrna rose to prominence before the Classical Era. Its importance has remained practically uninterrupted to this day. Its initial location, at the northeast corner of the tip of the Gulf of Smyrna, is commonly called “Old Smyrna.” At the time of Alexander the Great, the “New Smyrna” comprised the city after its move to a new location on the slopes of Mount Pagos. The heart of the modern town mainly dates from the late Hellenistic and early Roman periods.
Key Note: Smyrna is the second church named in our study. The message to this church represents a period of unbelievable persecution, starting around AD 303. Constantine (a known Catholic political) returned to Smyrna from the eastern front by the spring of AD 303, in time to witness the beginnings of the “Great Persecution,” the most severe persecution of Christians in Roman history. In late AD 302, the Roman Emperor sent a messenger to the oracle of Apollo, with an inquiry about the Christians. He wanted to know where they were, if they were hiding, and what impact they were having upon his territory. Constantine remembered being at the palace when the messenger returned. When the Emperor accepted his court’s mandate for universal persecution, all hell broke loose on those who lived in Smyrna. History tells us that in February, AD 303, there was an order given for the destruction of the Smyrna Christian church by condemning and burning the Scriptures and seizing its treasures. Additional churches and the Scriptures were destroyed in the following months. Christians were deprived of official ranks and were imprisoned or put to death.
It is not known whether Constantine played any role in the persecution. Although, it must be noted that Constantine was a loyalist to the Roman State-Church (Catholic Church) and supposedly, he had the loyalty of the church at Smyrna. But when Constantine found out about the resistance of these authentic Christians (indwelt, or born-again), it posed a considerable problem regarding his loyalty to the Roman State Church. Most secular history tells us that he likely turned his head. After the massacre, he wrote in his guilt writings that he opposed the Roman Emperor and his edicts against the worshippers of God. But history shows he did nothing to oppose the Christian persecution at the time. History does indicate his passivity regarding the event. It ended his trust with the indwelt Christians globally, although the Catholics remained loyal to him to the very end.
Looking at Smyrna and how relevant it is for today: to this very day, many Christians consider Constantine the Great to be one of the greatest Christians leaders in history. I do not hold to such a belief. I believe Constantine was a devout loyalist to the empirical and political control of the new Roman State Church, which evolved into Catholicism. I hold him responsible for the great persecution known in the history of the early Christian church. He did more damage to the authentic Christians of his day than any other leader in church history. His passivity became abuse. By turning his head, he initiated 250 years of ruthless persecution. The Church of Smyrna has never recovered as a formal gathering of believers, to this very day.
Smyrna was known for the practice of idolatry, primarily Catholic symbolism and religious artifacts. The worshippers of such idols put pressure on the government to rid the Christians from the community. The Christians were strong, sturdy, and carried a favorable reputation for good works. They survived rejection and learned to live with meager means. The refused to “buy into” the local prosperity of Smyrna and were “a force that had to be dealt with.” Greeks, Romans, Jews, and politics came against them with everything they had. The results were noted by Christ Himself in our passage today.
Polycarp is one of my favorite second-generation disciples. He was directly discipled by the Beloved John. In return, Polycarp became John’s Beloved disciple. History reveals that Polycarp was probably the last person to speak with John before he died. While it is a bit annoying to me, the Catholic Church turned him into a “Pope.” Early pictures reveal him dressed as a Pope though he had no connection with the teachings of the Nicolaitans (Catholics) outside of coming against them. Polycarp was slain in Smyrna after nineteen years of serving this city. While they failed to burn Polycarp at stake, it was decided to stab him to death. Polycarp’s beloved devotion to John and the church is considered to be the tender recordings of loyalty in church history. Due to Polycarp’s passions for Truth and his ability to proclaim it, Christian persecution was indeed magnified. The faithful followers of John simply could not be shut up.
Smyrna, in general, means bitterness and myrrh - oil associated with death. Like all the names of the Seven churches, each name prophetically describes the outcome of each church. The church of Smyrna comes in first place in receiving the crown of life. The Smyrna church is alive today all over the world. There are suffering saints all over the globe and have been throughout the generations. John’s faithful followers cannot be stopped. The more suffering, the more obedient they have become.
The Smyrna church was suffering from the hands of the Roman pagans (state church) and supposedly, the authentic Jews. But we have learned in church history that they were the fake Jews who were coming against them; they were pretenders who, in the day of persecution, would side with the enemy. Why? Because they were of the synagogue of Satan. Synagogue means a Jewish house of prayer. The Revelation statement of the synagogue of Satan says only one thing; non-messianic Jews or pretender Jews who serve Satan. It also implies that Satan will be portraying himself as a Jew, an “antichrist,” as such. Most likely, in the final days, many Jews will receive this Antichrist as the “messiah” for whom they have long-awaited. This group is who Jesus refers to in Revelation 2:9 as “those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” In the end, true Jews will be Messianic Jews who follow Jesus Christ and have His indwelling Life. The rest, I hate to say, will follow Satan to the pit of hell.
The seriousness of God stating that no man can come unto the Father except by Christ seems horrifically rude, but I’m afraid it’s true; it is the blunt reality of the Gospel that hurts. Many of the people or races that we love, like the fake Jews, will be faced with the second death, and they will be cast into the lake of fire because of their disbelief in no man comes unto the Father but through Jesus.
The church of Smyrna’s faith cost them their families, friends, community, the security of possessions, occupations, and even their lives. What a message for the believers of today! Most “Christians” in the Western Hemisphere sue other Christians for statements of rejection or defamation of character. Most of us have no idea what the church of Smyrna is all about. Take high confidence in this—we will discover the true church of Smyrna.
Smyrna today is still alive and well. Take a look at some of these statistics from the past year.
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Over 260 million Christians are living in places where they experience high levels of perfection.
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2,983 Christians are killed for their faith.
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9,488 churches and other Christian buildings are attacked.
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3,711 Believers are detained without trial, arrested, sentenced, or imprisoned.
These numbers are heartbreaking, and yet, they do not tell the whole story.
James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” That joy is what we see when we hear and work with Christians all over the world who suffer because they serve Jesus Christ. God cares about His people, and He will never leave them nor forsake them.
Beloved indwelt Christians, take joy in the power and strength of the Lord. Take courage in the everlasting covenant of God’s eternal protection, not of your body, but your hearts. Jesus wants all believers to know He is in the midst of their pain. He will meet them right there, despite the persecution.
Persecution is one of the dearest and closest burdens of my heart. It would take a separate chapter to cover the kinds of persecution that authentic, indwelt, born-again Christians suffer from today. It’s not just looking at some of these third-world countries and seeing their arms removed or burned, or seeing them tortured unto death; persecution comes in all colors, and it could be as simple as someone ignoring you. As I move forward and talk about the church of Pergamum, keep this in mind—the persecuted Saints carry special favor from our Lord Jesus Christ. He calls them rich.
