What Would Jesus Say? At the heart of the message to the church in Smyrna lies the word and idea of Eternity. The realtiy that life goes on beyond what we see and experience here and now. Eternity Matters
In the midst of the tribulation that the church in Smyrna was going through, Jesus’s words reminded them of the overcoming power that the hope of eternity gives them. Jesus’ words for us today, I believe, is a reminder of the seriousness (the eternal worth) of our faith and our life with Jesus.
Two “P” words that frame this short letter from Jesus
P_ersecution_
“Smyrna was an outstandingly beautiful city. It claimed to be the ‘Glory of Asia.’” (Barclay)
Smyrna, like Ephesus, was a city of wealth and commercial greatness
We also know from history that it was a city deeply committed to idolatry and the worship of the Roman Emperor.
Once a year the Roman citizen must burn a pinch of incense on the altar to the godhead of Caesar; and having done so, he was given a certificate to guarantee that he had performed his religious duty.
The Christians wouldn’t do it! Lead to persecution.
Revelation 2:9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
They were ostracized from an otherwise rich city. But in Jesus’ eyes they were still rich.
Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
We need to be reminded again and again, that what we are doing when we step into faith in Jesus, when we begin this life with him, is not something trite or small. It is not simply agreeing with some different philosophy or life improvement plan.
We are making the most important decision we could possibly make in our entire lives. A decision that affects not just our lives now, but for all of eternity. John 3:16
Jesus reminds them and us to live in light of eternity. There is more to life than what you see and are experiencing. And he gives them the second P word
P_romise_
Starts his introduction in a very important way:
Revelation 2:8 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive:
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
And ends with a promise.
Revelation 2:10-11 Be faithful unto 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. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
We will all die, unless Jesus returns before then, but when we have life with Jesus, we have life in him. The second death is eternal separation from Jesus.
It’s all about presence, either eternally with him or without him.
Those who persevere, who conquers, who never lose their hope in Jesus will receive the crown of life, or as NT Wright puts it, “life as a crown”. “That is, the true, renewed life of God’s new age, whose possessors will be marked out by it as royalty is marked out by crowns”
In the midst of their tribulation and persecution, Jesus lets the church know He sees them and he has life for them beyond what they see.