Category Archives: Letters from the Lamb

The letter to Smyrna: Faithful unto death

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lettersAccording to Jesus, the church in Smyrna was about to undergo persecution. We might expect that he would them tell them that God would protect them from all harm, that their enemies would be destroyed. Instead, he tells them that they will be thrown in prison, though only for a short amount of time.

As we saw not long ago in another series on this site, suffering is a normal part of Christian life. Christians shouldn’t seek it, but they shouldn’t shrink from it either. We follow in the steps of the suffering servant and should expect no better than what he received.

Then Jesus issues a famous charge to the Christians in Smyrna: “Be faithful unto death.” In Letters From The Lamb, I discuss the meaning of this phrase:

“Be faithful unto death,” Jesus tells them. This phrase is often looked on as an injunction to live a godly life until one dies of old age. While that is certainly expected of all Christians, the meaning is different here. “Be faithful unto death” means “be faithful even if it means giving your life.” Be faithful right up to the moment when the sword touches your neck, faithful up to the moment when the flames consume your body. As Christians we are called to follow Jesus’ example and renounce all claims to the preserving of our physical lives. The words of Jesus call us to full discipleship: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35) Today we may talk about “bearing a cross” as putting up with something inconvenient or uncomfortable, saying “that’s just my cross to bear.” But in Jesus’ day, carrying a cross meant that one had become a “dead man walking.” A man carrying his cross was on the way to his death. “Give up your life,” Jesus says, “And you’ll save it. Try to save it, and you’ll lose it.” God’s priority is to save our souls first, our physical lives second.

(Letters From The Lamb, pp. 69-70)

Faithful unto death. Jesus came to free us from the slavery of the fear of death; like suffering, we don’t seek death, but we don’t run from it, either. Our goal is to be faithful, even if it costs us our lives.

The letter to Smyrna: Rich poor church

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lettersJesus has no criticism for the church in Smyrna. He says they have suffered and live in poverty… but they’re rich. This is yet another of the paradoxes presented in Revelation. The church that everyone thinks is alive is actually dead. The church that seems weak is strong. This church, with its difficult life and lack of material goods, is actually rich.

In Letters From The Lamb I wrote:

The Smyrnaean Christians were poor materially, but they were rich in the ways that mattered. It’s even possible that the poverty of the Smyrna church stemmed from the persecution they had received. The writer of the book of Hebrews speaks to this: “Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.” (Hebrews 10:32-34) Either through mob violence and looting or official seizures of property, it was quite possible that the Christians had become poor by standing up for their faith.

(Letters From The Lamb, p. 68)

“Blessed are you poor,” Jesus said during his ministry. Later James would write that God had chosen the poor to be rich in faith. Apparently the Christians in Smyrna were a good example of that.

The letter to Smyrna: The death of Polycarp

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lettersSmyrna is the only city of the seven that is still a major city today. Izmir (its modern name) has a population of over 3 million. It’s been an urban city for over 3500 years, with archaeological ruins dating back 5000 years.

Smyrna competed with Ephesus and Pergamum for the right of being called the most important city in Asia. No city could claim a closer tie with Rome, however. The Roman politician Cicero called Smyrna one of Rome’s “most loyal allies.” Eleven cities in Asia competed for the right to build a temple to Tiberius, but it was Smyrna that was chosen.

An example of the persecution the church faced is the account of the martyrdom of Polycarp in the second century. Here’s how I tell the story in Letters from the Lamb:

When the soldiers arrived to arrest Polycarp, he insisted that a table be spread for them and that they enjoy a feast, while he prayed in the next room. As Polycarp was led toward the stadium, his captors encouraged him to save himself by saying “Caesar is Lord” and offering a bit of incense. He politely told them that he would not do as they advised. The stadium was packed when they arrived, for the enemies of the Christians knew that Polycarp was a leader in the church. The magistrate who tried Polycarp again urged him to save himself: “Swear the oath, and you’ll go free. Revile Christ!” Polycarp replied: “Eighty and six years have I been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” When the Roman official warned Polycarp that he would be burned at the stake, Polycarp replied: “You threaten that fire which burns for a season and after a little while is quenched: for you are ignorant of the fire of the future judgment and eternal punishment, which is reserved for the ungodly. But why do you delay? Come, do what you will.” So they burned Polycarp at the stake, with many of the Jews gathering wood for the fire, even though it was the Sabbath. Polycarp died with words of praise upon his lips. Such was life for a Christian in the province of Asia soon after the writing of the book of Revelation. Polycarp’s name was the 12th in a list of martyrs from Smyrna and Philadelphia; his story, though more dramatic than most, was not an uncommon one in the province of Asia.

(Letters From The Lamb, pp. 65-66)

Reading the story of Polycarp helps prepare us for reading the letter to the church in Smyrna.

Sample pages from Letters From The Lamb

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21st Century Christian has graciously posted some sample pages from our book on their website. I’ve embedded those pages here. If you want to read them, I suggest that you click on the link that says “fullscreen.” Enjoy!

Letters From the Lamb Sample Pages

The letter to Ephesus: To the conqueror

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letters

Each of the seven letters ends with a promise to the one who “overcomes.” What does it mean to “overcome” in the book of Revelation? We can go back to the throne room scene in Revelation 5 to get the answer to that question. When John is weeping because no one is worthy of opening the scroll, he is told: “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed (overcome). He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” The word is the same in Revelation 5 as it is in the letters to the seven churches. Christians are being called to overcome as Jesus overcame. And how was that? Through faithful witness, being faithful to the point of dying for his faith. Jesus triumphed through death; the Asian Christians are being called to be willing to do the same. The world calls to them to overcome through military strength or political action. Jesus calls to them to overcome by a willing sacrifice of love for the sake of the kingdom of God.

(Letters From The Lamb, p. 53)

To the Ephesian conquerors, Jesus promised to undo the curse of Eden. He would let them eat of the Tree of Life. Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden so that they wouldn’t be able to eat of the Tree of Life. Jesus promises the Ephesians that those willing to face martyrdom will come to have what Adam and Even once had. They will eat of the Tree of Life and live forever.