Jesus’ Sovereignty over History, Life, and Death (8)

Like Jesus’ letter to the church in Ephesus, he opens his letter to the church in Smyrna with an affirmation of his sovereignty from the chapter one vision that suits the situation of the church best. Here he chooses to introduce himself by the title “the First and the Last, who died and came to life again” which asserts his sovereignty over history and life and death. Jesus is eternal; therefore, he is in control of everything that happens in the past, present, and future. He proved his sovereign over life and death by dying on the cross and coming back to life again.

These affirmations were especially relevant to the situation in the church at Smyrna because it was suffering terrible afflictions. The church needed assurance that their ultimate future was already secure, even though their present lives were unsecure. The Christians needed to be reminded that Jesus was still in charge and that he was watching over them.

Does that ever happen to you? Do you ever face afflictions whereby you need to be reminded of God’s sovereignty? Do you ever encounter present problems that cause you to fear for your future security? Do you ever experience crises, dilemmas, and predicaments where you just need to know that Jesus is still in control and he is watching over you?

This affirmation of Jesus’ sovereignty renews our hope! When you experience afflictions, remember that Jesus is eternal; he has authority over your past, present, and future! When you are afraid, remember that Jesus has authority over life and death! Remember that Jesus is in control of everything and he is watching over you, and you will be able to overcome any affliction!

Poverty and Slander in the Church (9)

In verse 9, Jesus identifies the two primary afflictions in the Smyrnian church: poverty and slander, and the two were interrelated. The slander against them contributed to their poverty. The large Jewish population in Smyrna constantly spoke evil and spread negative propaganda against the Christian church. They pointed out to the Roman government that the Christians refused to pay homage to Caesar as Lord. And every time there was an earthquake, flood, drought, or some other natural disaster, they blamed it on the Christian’s refusal to worship the gods of the pantheon. The Jews persecuted the church by slandering the name of Christians.

The church’s lack of physical and material resources was a direct result of this slander. The Jews did what they could to incite Roman hostility against the church. When Jesus says that these people “who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” he means that even though they were ethnically Jewish, they were not really part of God’s chosen people because they denied Jesus as Messiah, and when they persecuted Jesus’ church, they were actually doing Satan’s work.

Although the Romans tolerated Judaism, they stripped Christians of the right to worship their God and discriminated against them by denying them opportunities for employment. In such an antagonistic environment, it was difficult for the Smyrnian Christians to make a living, and many of them were economically destitute.

Even though the Jewish and Roman persecution was intended to force the church out of the city, it actually had the opposite effect. It brought the church closer together and made it stronger. Jesus acknowledged their physical poverty, but he highlighted their spiritual wealth. They were spiritually rich because their sufferings helped them to identify closer with the sufferings of Christ. This is why God did not remove the animosity and persecution, but he encouraged them to remain faithful and endure, for this was participation in the way of Christ.

Throughout the centuries, slander and poverty has often been the lot of God’s followers, because the people of this world often seek to do them harm. There are many members of Satan’s synagogue, although most of them don’t even recognize it. Even today, Christians all around the world are stripped of their rights, denied employment, and forced to live in poverty. While it is to a much lesser degree, this still happens in America too!

When you face slander or poverty because you are a Christian, remember that even though you may be physically poor, you can be spiritually rich. If you remain faithful to Christ and participate in his sufferings, God will bless you with a wonderful reward of spiritual riches.

When Jesus tells the Smyrnian Christians they are spiritually rich despite their physical poverty, I am reminded of a story that my pastor once told me. When he was in Bible College preparing for the ministry, he went on a mission trip to Russia, not long after the Iron Curtain collapsed. One evening he was slated to lead a question and answer session with a group of communist atheists.

He answered their questions the best he could, but he was so intimidated by the hostile crowd that he lost his composure. As his defense of the Christian faith began to falter, a little old lady in the back of the room stood up and chastised the group for treating the student so badly. Then she said, “Look at me! I have nothing! Come to my flat and see! I have nothing of worldly possessions, but I have Jesus! And I have everything!” The group, who knew the woman’s suffering, walked away in quiet convicted contemplation. The old woman was physically poor, but she was spiritually rich!

Overcoming Affliction (10-11)

In his message to the church at Smyrna, Jesus sympathized with their affliction and exhorted them to remain faithful to him until the end. He told them not to be afraid of what they are about to suffer. Apparently, the persecution was going to intensify and that some of them would be put in prison, but he promised a crown of life for those who overcome affliction and remained faithful until the end, even to the point of death. The crown of life is a symbol of triumphant eternal life. This means that they would not be harmed by the second death. The first death is physical death, which everyone experiences; the second death is the final judgment when Christ returns. They did not have to fear imminent danger because their destiny was secure in Christ, the eternal one who overcame death and gives eternal life.

Sixty years after the writing of this letter, the Smyrnian church was still facing severe persecution. Fourteen Christians were seized and dragged to the public arena where they were fed to wild beasts. All but one died gloriously, one even slapping a wild animal that seemed to be too lazy to attack the Christian who was intended to be its dinner.

The crowd was not satisfied and began to shout for more. They began to shout for Polycarp, the elderly pastor of the Smyrnian church, who had been a disciple of the Apostle John during his younger days. The authorities were sent to find him, after exacting information of his hiding place from a servant, who was subjected to hideous torture.

He was brought before the magistrate in the stands of the arena and immediately tried and convicted while the frenzied crowd shouted for his blood. It was a most unusual and illegal trial that went something like this, the magistrate speaking first:

“Swear by the fortune of Caesar! Repent! Declare: Death to the atheists!”

Turning to the mob, with a lift of his head and a wave of his hand, Polycarp shouted, “Death to the atheists!”

But the magistrate knew what Polycarp meant. “Apostatize! Swear, and I will set you free at once! You have but to insult Christ.”

“I have served Him for eighty-six years and He has never done me any wrong. Why then should I blaspheme against my King and my Savior?”

“Swear by Caesar’s fortune!”

“You flatter yourself if you hope to persuade me. In all truth I solemnly declare to you: I am a Christian.”

“I have the lions here, to use as I think fit.”

“Give your orders. As for us Christians, when we change it is not from good to bad: it is splendid to pass through evil into God’s justice.”

“If you do not repent I shall have you burned at the stake, since you are so contemptuous of the lions.”

“You threaten me with a fire that burns for an hour and then dies down. But do you know the eternal fire of the justice that is to come? Do you know the punishment that is to devour the ungodly? Come, don’t delay! Do what you want with me.”

The condemnation was proclaimed; the mob rushed from the seats to gather sticks and faggots, with the Jews gleefully helping along. Polycarp told the soldiers in charge of the execution that they need not fasten him to the stake, for he had no intention of fleeing. The flames leaped high, while from the flames could be heard this prayer from the lips of Christ’s faithful servant:

Lord God Almighty, Father of Thy beloved and blessed Son, Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the grace of knowing Thee, God of angels and powers, and the whole creation, and of the whole race of the righteous who live in Thy presence; I bless Thee for deigning me worthy of this day and this hour that I may be among Thy martyrs and drink of the cup of my Lord Jesus Christ. I praise Thee for all Thy mercies; I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, through the eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, with whom to Thyself and the Holy Spirit, be glory both now and forever. Amen.

Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, heard Christ’s words and took them seriously. He endured slander, poverty, and persecution, but he overcame his affliction and remained faithful even to the point of death. As his body was consumed by the flames, heaven received his victorious soul. King Jesus coroneted him a crown of life!

Do you hear Jesus’ words? Are you taking them seriously? In the midst of your afflictions, remain faithful to your King and Savior who never did you any wrong! And you will overcome your affliction, you will receive a crown of life, and your destiny will be secure forever! You will have victory in Jesus!