Thursday 19 July 2012
- Bible Book:
- Revelation
"I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (vv. 9-10)
Background
Perhaps we can imagine John's messenger leaving theprosperous city of Ephesus, travelling 35 miles north to thecoastal port of Smyrna (modern Izmir), a town that numbered, evenin New Testament times, around 200,000 people. Although the cityitself was proud, rich and beautiful, the Christians here weresmall in number and quite poor. The town had a strong allegiance toRome, and had a large Jewish population; this combination made it avery difficult place to practise Christianity and the church wasactively persecuted. The most famous of the early Church martyrswas Polycarp, known as the 'twelfth martyr in Smyrna", who wasburnt to death for his refusal to acknowledge Caesar as Lord. Thisis the background to the references in verses 9 and 10 toaffliction, poverty and suffering. Smyrna was a challenging placeto be a follower of Jesus Christ.
So the message that Jesus gives through John isthat the difficulties of the Christians in Smyrna have beennoticed, and the pressures understood. Jesus has heard theslanderous accusations. These often came from Jews in the town who,by their falsehoods about the Christians in their midst, betrayedtheir own faith and thereby were "a synagogue of Satan" (v. 9). Thesmall and beleagured Christian community are encouraged to standfirm, to "be faithful until death" and are promised the "crown oflife" (v. 10); the word used here is not a royal crown, but avictorious athlete's garland.
The passage reminds us, in our own day, of the manychurches around the world who suffer hardship and persecution.False accusations, Christians not kept safe by the state,individuals persecuted and even killed because of their faith -these things have happened down the ages, and still continue today.We need now to offer such Christians the same kind of encouragementand prayerful support that Jesus offers to those in Smyrna.
To Ponder
- When did you last include persecuted Christians in your list ofprayers? Take the time to do so today.
- What kind of practical support is appropriate for fellowChristians to offer to those who are being persecuted because oftheir faith?