Whoever Has Ears, Listen Carefully
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Revelation 2:10
The city of Smyrna was known for its trade and great wealth. But the Christians of Smyrna faced poverty due to the spoiling of their goods, probably job losses, and ostracizing because of their faith. Worse yet, they were being slandered by fellow Jews.
Jesus Christ told the Christians of Smyrna, “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan…I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! (Revelation 2:9). He was saying that they were spiritually rich.
Soon some of the Christians would be imprisoned, and some would die. Their suffering would be for “ten days,” that is, only for a short, limited time. If they continued to be faithful, Jesus promised them “life as their victor’s crown” (Revelation 2:10).
If you look up commentaries on Smyrna, you’ll probably see the name of Polycarp. He’d been a bishop in Smyrna. When Polycarp refused to worship Caesar instead of Jesus Christ, he faced a fiery death. His response: “You threaten me with the fire that burns for a time, and is quickly quenched, for you do not know the fire which awaits the wicked in the judgment to come and in everlasting punishment.”[1]
Jesus knows us. He knows our afflictions–the current ones, and the ones yet to come. He knows our poverty–the needy, empty places in our lives. He knows the falseness found even in our churches or respected organizations. Will we be as bold as Polycarp and the Christians of Smyrna if we face such severe persecution?
God’s grace will sustain us. If we continue to be faithful, he promises us life as our crown. “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death” (Revelation 2:11).
Do you hear and take to heart these warnings and promises?
Dig Deeper
Read Matthew 10:28-31. What is to be feared more than death?
In 2 Corinthians 8:9, how did Jesus set an example for us to follow?
In Revelation 20:12-15, what is the second death and who receives this judgment?
Nancy J. Baker
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[1] Phillips, Richard D. Revelation (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2017) 109.