Jesus’ Letter to Smyrna

What comes to your mind when you hear the word FEARLESS? Is it the soldier running into battle? The firefighter climbing a tall ladder up to a burning building? A civilian charging an active shooter at a mall?

Often fearless has the idea of bold… courageous… valiant… lionhearted… stouthearted… heroic… daring…and yeah I could have stopped that list four words back but they all sound so cool (all words that google dictionary gave me…I’m not that good at various vocabulary). Anyway, we can safely conclude that such is often the idea we have with that word.

Now, let us break this word down in a very simple way. Fearless: to be without fear. Now that can be lived out in many various situation which are common. To be, or shall I say, live without fear is not just for the rare moment that duty calls (i.e. the soldier & firefighter). This fearlessness is a mentality based on one’s perspective on reality.

For one to be without fear there must be something greater than the person in which the person may hope, have confidence in, or take comfort from. The cancer patient can live without fear when the doctor tells them that what they have is curable and that the cure will work in their case. One is without fear when someone who is greater or has a greater knowledge/ability has given them reassurance which flows from their ability or knowledge.

Who Jesus is to His Church

It the truth of who Jesus is that has the potential in all of life to bless and impact us for good. For the Smyrnaeans the revealed identity of Jesus was to bless and impact them in such a way as to live fearlessly.

Jesus speaks to them…

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life’.”

Revelation 2:8

“The first and the last, who was dead, and has come back to life.” This alludes back to 1:17-18 with it’s context. The immediate context has an additional statement leading to it ( “Do not be afraid”) and following (I have the keys of death and of Hades’). That is to say that to whom Jesus reveals himself they need not fear anything because the great enemy of the cosmos, death, is under the reign of the First and the Last. In the larger context we see this seen unfold in 1:17-18 because John has been radically impacted by the glory of Jesus (1:12-16).

The fearless mindset that is needed in the church at Smyrna will grow as does their experience of Jesus. That experience is developed as knowledge of Jesus’ ability grows: The Majestic (1:12-16) Key holder (1:18). We must know who our Savoir is and what he is made of so that we may live as fearless churches according to God’s will.

Now, remember that fearless is not merely the boldness to endure that unique moment with boldness; it is more. Here we think of a mindset, day-in, day-out: a living without fear.

The church at Smyrna needed such mentality.

What Jesus “Knows” about His Church

“‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander 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. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.

Revelation 2:9-10a

Jesus is aware of the tribulation and poverty of the church, yet he sees them as rich. Hand-in-hand with this he observes the blasphemy of the Jews. It would seem that it is specific to persecution. The Jew’s blasphemy is seen in their rebellion toward the Messiah and persecution of his church, and they are identified as being with Satan. The Jews were the most consistent group to persecute the church in the first century.

Yet, before the First and the Last tells what is about to happen he speaks the same word (phobeo) to the church as he did John: Do not be afraid. Again, for this they must be mindful while reminding each other of Who it is who holds the keys of death: the everlasting Christ.

The persecution from Satan will be accomplished by Jewish persecution. For we see the close tie in 2:9. The “testing” to come is said to last ten days. As much of Revelation echoes the book of Daniel so also does this testing. It calls to mind the testing of Daniel and his friends (Dan. 1:12-20) when they refused to eat the king’s food. They would only eat vegetables and water for a probationary period of ten days where in they came to the end with greater strength. So also whatever suffering awaits the church at Smyrna will only better the saints at.

The closing of 2:10 flows into the promise to the overcomer.

‘Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

Revelation 2:10b-11

The promise of life after death is made by speaking of giving a crown. Smyrna needed to hold fast to the truth that their Savior has authority over death and the place of the dead. This would make them fearless by the comfort found in the promise of an all powerful Savior. He possesses the power over death, and in the human experience that is a lot.

Final Thoughts

We need a fearlessness in life stemming from experiencing the Savior’s glory as well as a constant reminder that death has no dominion over him or those who belong to him. When we are mindful of who Jesus is and what he has promised we may live out his call to not be afraid.

The church needs to be actively pursuing a more glorious view of Jesus so as to be fearless because of who he is. The congregation of any church will not only live without fear amid trials and tribulation, but will also enjoy the comfort and peace of God actively. This was the call to Smyrna by the First and Last who holds the keys of death, and it is the call to every church. Know Christ and No Fear.

Pray for your church to have a view and knowing of God that is ever being corrected and developed by the word of God. Pray for your brethren that this Sunday God might open minds and awaken hearts to his glory (Rev. 1:12-16).

In this pray that your faith family would live as a church without fear of tomorrow. Amid uncertain times of culture shift from values to government may we intercede for our home churches to live with courage because our Jesus is the First and Last who died and rose again, and lives forever more. May we in unison and sincerity sing the old hymn:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

-Bill Gaither