This is the shortest letter to any of the seven Churches. There is no rebuke from our Lord to this Church at Smyrna. Smyrna means “myrrh,” which must be crushed to give forth its fragrance. Thus this is the Church where Christ promised persecution. But even that was for a time.
“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, NIV)
As for the "ten days" it is noted by some that ". . . there were ten persecutions from Nero to Diocletian (A.D. 312). They were under Nero, Domitian, Trajan, Antoninus, Severus, Maximian, Decius, Valerian, Aurelian, and Diocletian. Too, Diocletian’s persecution lasted ten years." [1]
Others suggest that "the intense persecution will be restricted to ten days, probably a symbolic number standing for “a limited period of time.”" [2]
The description that Christ gives of Himself is important to a Church promised persecution. He says ““To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.” (Revelation 2:8, NIV). These words echo the comfort Christ brought to John after his vision in chapter 1. “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17–18, NIV)
Christ is sovereign over time, over the events time and over sin and death. He is the controller and conqueror of all. Christ is sovereign over Satan. "They are not to be afraid of the devil himself, who instigates oppressive measures through the Romans and Jews (so v 9b). For Jesus has defeated him (1:1, 18; 12:1–12), and even his rebellious efforts can only fulfill Christ’s sovereign plan for history (cf. 17:17)." [3]
Satan is one of God's great servants. God uses Him to accomplish the Divine plan on earth, and yet one Day the Devil will be ultimately punished and forever banished in the Lake of Fire. Yes indeed "the devil is the hardest working servant that God has" (John Reisinger)! [4]
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1. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2660). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
2. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (37). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
3. Beale, G. K. (1999). The book of Revelation: A commentary on the Greek text. New International Greek Testament Commentary (242). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.
4. To read more about this go to http://www.gracesermons.com/hisbygrace/providence.html
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