[Smyrna]
The second church to which I wrote
was Smyrna. Since this
letter followed the one to Ephesus, it portrays,
by symbolic representation, the period in the
history of the church following the apostolic. It was
the period of the great persecutions under the
Roman emperors. This is why my salutation at the
beginning has to do with life forevermore; for many
saints were martyred during this period of history. Even
so did I write: 'These things
says the first and the last,
which, was dead, and is alive.' (Rev. 2:8). It was my
assurance that as I was the first to die by the hands of
the persecutors, so would I be with all who had to lay
down their lives for my name’s sake, even to the last one. And even as I
was made alive after death, so would I quicken to life
all who laid down their lives in death: first in the
eternal realms of the soul, and finally in the
resurrection of the physical body.
During the time of these intense
persecutions by the Roman beast, it was a common
practice to confiscate the property and belongings of
the Christians who would not deny their faith. Therefore
did I speak to them: 'I know your works, and tribulation,
and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy
of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are
the synagogue of Satan.' (Rev. 2:9). Thus many found
themselves in great poverty as far as material things
were concerned, but they were rich in faith and in
spiritual verities. Although the persecutions were
carried out by the Roman powers, in many instances,
behind the scenes, the instigators were the Jews
scattered throughout the Roman
Empire. These Jews, though
claiming to be descendants of Abraham according to
the flesh, were not 'true Jews' or Israelites indeed
according to the spirit of faith. (Rom.
2:28-29). Having rejected the Messiah, and having sinned
against great light, they became blinded captives of the
enemy, even Satan, and thus the very manifest enemies of
all Christians. Their 'blasphemy' consisted of their
laying claim to the name of the Almighty as His chosen,
but not in truth and righteousness. Yet they have been
preserved according to the flesh, for a purpose yet
to be fulfilled at the close of the age.
So great was the persecution of my
saints that untold thousands were imprisoned. Therefore
I spoke, 'Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the
devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten
days; be [ ] faithful to death, and I will give you a crown of life.' (Rev.
2:10). For many, the imprisonment was to death; oft times by means of
savage torture at the hands of men or by the mouths
of lions. The ten days mentioned is symbolic of the ten
great persecutions which rose and receded during a
period of over two centuries. The ten also portrays
the completion of a soul cycle, whereby that life which
had been received into the souls of those persecuted was
tested and proven through the 'fires' of opposition,
engendering completion to 'life crowned.' This 'crown
of life' promised to those who would be faithful to death is life on a higher
plane of being. It will be received when I return to
gather my full overcoming saints to myself. This life will
be manifested in a glorified physical body, like to my own glorious body.
(Philip. 3:21). It goes beyond eternal life in the soul
realm, or resurrected physical life on the earth plane.
It is the ultimate of that which I have planned for
those who love me and keep my commandments.
A
promise of assurance is given in this letter to those who overcome, even in
a measure. Even thus did I speak: 'He that overcomes shall not be hurt of
the second death.' (Rev. 2:11). There are degrees of
overcoming, as seen in the fact that in all there are
seven special promises to the overcomers in the seven
letters. The assurance given here is for those who go
beyond the initial believing in my vicarious atonement
for their sins. The escaping of the second death is
possible only through being "born anew' of the
incorruptible seed. (John 3:3-5, I Pet. 1:23). When
my very own LIFE is imparted to the soul, it is forever
free from death, and the eventual restoration of the
physical body is also assured, if that body has been
laid aside in death. The second death has to do
with a future judgment day, and those who have 'passed
from death to life' (John 5:24) need have no fear, for
they remain secure, and when the 'lake of fire' is
activated, netting the second death for both body and
soul (Matt. 10:28), they shall have no part therein.
(See Rev. 20:9-15). He that has an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit is saying to the
Church
.