Let us observe in our mind’s eye an ecclesia coming together on a Sunday morning in circumstances vastly different to our own. The ecclesial hall is an abandoned warehouse lying close to the harbour of a particular city. There is a supposed meeting time, but given certain circumstances, the brethren and sisters already gathered wait patiently for over an hour for their brethren and sisters to arrive, who do so at irregular intervals. Gazing around on those assembled, it is obvious to us that this ecclesia consists of brethren and sisters well acquainted with difficulty and trial—lines of worry, grief… and poverty are clearly discernible on their faces. We note a great deal of urgent whispering and conferring taking place among the assembled group; there is joy and relief expressed as some arrive, and there are apprehensive looks as others arrive bearing news of some description.
There is given at the beginning of the meeting, what we would commonly call ‘announcements of a fraternal nature’; however we observe with interest that it is not the task of one person alone to make these announcements, and this is clearly due to the fact that there isn’t an individual privy to all the information required to make the necessary announcements. Some have information on one family’s welfare, whilst other latecomers have just received additional information on another’s— hence something of an informal ecclesial discussion constitutes the fraternal announcements in this ecclesia. We form the impression that this is of necessity rather than deliberate design.
What is the subject matter of these ‘fraternal announcements’?
We learn that ecclesial attendance is down. The reason for this, however, is not due to apathy; rather, it is because some of the brethren and sisters have been imprisoned by the authorities. One brother announces (with some difficulty) that not only is a particular family in prison, but a date has now been set for their public execution. Needless to say, this ecclesia lives in a very hostile environment. Each of the brethren and sisters know that upon leaving the place of meeting, they will walk amidst people who could conceivably be willing spectators of their imprisoned brethren and sisters. The announcements also include an appeal for funds, not for the building fund, or general expenses, but for the widow and children of a recently murdered brother. Finally, there is discussion about the next preaching effort. It is to be made despite the circumstances in an area of the city not far from the arena and not far from the hostile Jewish synagogue of the city…
Many of the brethren and sisters who have been cast into prison have been so, because of the rulers and attendees of that Synagogue. The Jews are powerful in this city and have firm connections with the pagan authorities.
Such was the atmosphere that must have prevailed in the embattled ecclesia of Smyrna when the Lord wrote to them from the isle of Patmos.
The primary purpose of this particular letter in Revelation 2 was to comfort this ecclesia. It was not to instigate reform or to demand repentance. As far as we know the ecclesia had no major problems apart from the hardship of their circumstances.
Revelation 2
8 And unto the angel of the ecclesia in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich)
These words would have comforted this ecclesia immensely. It was confirmation that their Lord was aware of their hardship. He had noticed. He was ‘in their midst’. This ecclesia had been striving to please him. He now commended their efforts and assured them that though they had material poverty, in his estimation they were spiritually rich.
The letter continued:
… and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Again, this ecclesia would have been moved by the reassurance of their Lord that he knew exactly what they were experiencing. He knew because he had experienced the same censure from the same class. They were suffering exactly as their Lord had. Can we imagine the sobering force of the next paragraph in this letter:
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt Suffer
A clear statement: ‘it’s not over’, ‘worse is to come’.
… behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
The full impact of this would gradually sink in. Some were going to experience a violent death; the persecution would be intense for a specified duration of time, but, after death… a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the ecclesias; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Here was an ecclesia that did have love. Here was an ecclesia that did not have in its midst a false prophet. It was not defiled with a Jezebel seducing the brethren and sisters. It was not apathetic and lukewarm… It was facing very hard circumstances faithfully, the members were poverty stricken but faithful… and yet, the Lord did not say: “I’m going to make it easier for you… I’m going to crush the synagogue and burn it… your enemies will be taken away in a moment, your lands and homes will be restored…” His message was quite the opposite (to paraphrase), “brace yourself… there’s more to come”.
All Christ offered the Smyrnan ecclesia in the short term was:
- comfort (in that he understood what they were going through…)
- more persecution
- the distinct possibility of a violent death
- poverty… and
- grief and sorrow at the death of loved ones. The scenario long term (after a violent death):
- a crown of life.
All this ecclesia was really offered by our Lord was the consolation of the Kingdom.
Was it enough? For this ecclesia, was the consolation of the coming kingdom enough?
Another question: is it enough… for us?
We sometimes face hardship in life, it might be pressure of some description, financial hardship, sacrifice, family issues and problems… and we yearn for moments of reprieve, we long for brighter times and relief from the pressure. But supposing the Lord’s will is that the pressure is not to let up – but rather, only increase? What if our circumstances aren’t to change? In the mercy of God, it normally does at some point. We do have moments of reprieve.
If we were informed in a letter from the Lord that our life from this point forward would consist of poverty, persecution, and the loss of loved ones… would the consolation of the Kingdom be enough? Would we be comforted by the Lord saying:
“I know what you are going through… don’t worry, you won’t have to die a second time”? How much is the future our consolation in times of trouble? How much do we really believe the kingdom’s coming? Is it enough of a reality?
In this compact little letter the Lord comforts and informs of trial to come and hope beyond, and yet we must remember that the letter did not really end with verse 7 of Revelation 2. Each ecclesia received the whole of the book of Revelation and chapter 20 in particular would offer further consolation to the Smyrnan ecclesia. They would see themselves exalted in this chapter, whilst their enemy who in AD96 had the mastery over them would be cast down and imprisoned.
They would see that although they were going to face terrible persecution, in the end they would be the last ones standing—with their risen Lord and with complete mastery over their enemy.
The Lord promised the ecclesia of Smyrna:
He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death
We read in Revelation 20:
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power.
This phrase identifies the Smyrnan class of brethren. Can we not imagine the ecclesia reading this and all of a sudden taking particular note due to the obvious echo of Revelation 2!? They are reading about themselves in the future!! And what more does it say?
…they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Their destiny is to reign with him! This was the ‘crown of life’ promised in chapter 2! Can we overstate the excitement and consolation this phrase conveyed to them!? Surely not! These phrases provide further elucidation of the hope before them!
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them:
Who sits on these thrones? The brethren and sisters of Smyrna! Instead of being judged, they are now given the power to judge. Just as their Lord stood before Annas and Pilate, and will have those same individuals arraigned before him, the plight of the Smyrna ecclesia will be reversed as well. The verse goes on to further identify the brethren and sisters of Smyrna:
the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
The likely method of execution for the brethren imprisoned in Smyrna would be decapitation. And yet here, those who suffer death in this way are raised and elevated to rulership with Christ! It is also significant that the ecclesia of Smyrna was promised persecution “ten days” This was to be a limited, but sharp and intense period of persecution.
The Consolation offered?
… they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
This equates to 100 years reigning with the Lord for every day of persecution at the hands of the Synagogue of Satan!
The words of Paul would surely express their feelings at this fact:
Romans 8
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
And what of their blasphemous enemies? We know that the members of the ecclesia were to suffer: the devil shall cast some of you into prison.
The Smyrnan ecclesia would read Revelation 20:10 with delight:
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The Smyrnans were only to be persecuted for ten days… a limited period of time… the beast and false prophet, are tormented day and night for ever and ever.
There was a glorious consolation held out for the Smyrnan ecclesia, and as they continued to read through the book of Revelation, the themes clearly set forth would console them with the promise of ultimate victory and everlasting joy in the presence of their master.
Such was the consolation with which they faced the ten days of persecution. We repeat the initial question: Was it enough? It was enough. Revelation 20 is a prophecy. We know that many of our brethren and sisters in Smyrna grasped hold of the consolation Christ offered them and were indeed faithful unto death. Their crown awaits them. Their victory is sure. Are we with them?