The Church in Smyrna
By Brandon Zeider and Jedediah King
Revelation 2:8–11 – The Persecuted Church
Smyrna was an extremely important city, located about 35 miles to the north of Ephesus (see map on pageXYZ), which exists today in modern Turkey. Smyrna's name comes from the spice myrrh, which was often used to bury dead bodies (Smyrna was renamed in 1930 to Izmir which is the Turkish word for the same spice). This spice was so embedded in the culture of this city that a vast market emerged for it and eventually this led to tremendous wealth. You’ll recall that myrrh is one of the three gifts brought to Jesus by the wise men from the East. Archaeological excavations in modern Izmir have uncovered remains of the ancient agora (marketplace), theater, and temple complexes mentioned in this essay, providing tangible connections to the world of the Smyrna church.
As with many Roman cities, Caesar was worshipped through the burning of incense. Every year, people would light incense and say, "Caesar is lord and god." At first, the worship of Caesar was simply ceremonial. The statement, "Caesar is lord and god" began as informal loyalty, but during the reigns of emperors like Domitian (81-96 AD), it became increasingly formalized and eventually mandatory in many regions. This timing coincides with when most scholars believe Revelation was written. After worshipping Caesar, they were given a "certificate" that allowed them to function in the city – similar tothe way the mark of the beast may work in the future (Revelation 13:16-17).
Statues of Caesar were erected throughout the Roman Empire. Like many other Greek cities, the city of Smyrna had several temples, and a large theater as well. When Jesus speaks to the church in Smyrna, we see the phrase "synagogue of Satan" (Revelation 2:9). This troubling phrase appears again later (Revelation 3:9-11) and refers specifically to those who claimed Jewish identity but were actively persecuting followers of Jesus. This isn't a blanket statement about Jewish people, but rather addresses a specific historical situation where these particular opponents were functioning as adversaries to the Christian community in Smyrna.
The church in Smyrna, addressed in Revelation 2:8-11, is known as the "Persecuted Church." This church was characterized by suffering and great persecution. As an illustration, just as the city was named after myrrh, it's worth noting that myrrh only releases its full fragrance when it’s crushed—a powerful metaphor for how the faithful witness of these believers became more evident through their suffering. The Groom (Jesus) saw the suffering of His bride (the church) for his namesake. He commended this church for its faithfulness amid great persecution and poverty. In fact, He saw nothing in this church that needed a warning or rebuke, something that can only be said of Smyrna and Philadelphia.
It’s also worth noting that Jesus didn't say that He would protect them from suffering, or that He would not let anyone harm them. Instead, He said, "be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life." We see this in the martyrdom of Polycarp, recounted in an early Christian text written around 155-160 AD that details the execution of the elderly Bishop of Smyrna. When brought before the Roman proconsul, Polycarp refused to renounce his faith or offer sacrifice to the emperor. Despite being threatened with wild beasts and fire, the 86-year-old Polycarp remained steadfast in his commitment to Christ. God doesn't promise to always save us from hard times, but rather that we WILL face hard times, sometimes even unto death.
Revelation of Jesus
Many Christians these days talk about the suffering they're going through because they think they are undergoing severe persecution. But when true persecution comes against the church you will know it. If you want to understand persecution, talk to a Christian from South Sudan, Northern Nigeria, Iran, North Korea, or China. Then you will hear about the depths of suffering and persecution. But these persecuted Christians, perhaps like the Christians in Smyrna, will also tell you how God has walked with them through the suffering. These dear brothers and sisters understand being faithful until death. They know what it means when the Apostle Paul says that God's grace is sufficient in any circumstance (2 Corinthians 12:9). They continue to trust God because they knew the exhortation that Jesus said about Himself, "'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life." Jesus is in control and knows what it is like to die. They know how blessed indeed is the promise that comes with the admonition that Jesus will give them a crown of life, and that He "is with us always, even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:20).
Just as the believers in Smyrna faced economic hardship, social exclusion, and the threat of imprisonment and death, Christians in many parts of the world today face similar trials. Jesus' words to 'be faithful until death' and His promise of 'the crown of life' remain as relevant now as they were then, offering eternal perspective during temporal suffering.
We are to be faithful to the end. We are encouraged in this because the first death – the death that Jesus will carry us through – is a death that we all must face, believers and non-believers. The second death though is the eternal death (Revelation 20:6,14 and 21:18) where it's described as a lake of fire and brimstone, and that only those without Christ will face for all time. Jesus said "do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28). Just like the believers in Smyrna, whose call from Jesus was to be faithful to the end, and not to fear the first death, that same call is for us today in whatever we are facing.
Sources and Further Reading
Kraybill, J. Nelson. Imperial Cult and Commerce in John's Apocalypse. Sheffield Academic Press, 1996.
"The Martyrdom of Polycarp." In The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations, edited by Michael W. Holmes. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007.
Beale, G.K. The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.
Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.
Hemer, Colin J. The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1986.