Q: Revelation 2:10 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 the crown of life. Is this true for everyone?
A: No, this passage from Revelation 2 is not true for everyone. The passage was written to "the angel of the church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8)." Smyrna was a city in what is now modern day Turkey. It is one of the seven cities mentioned in the book of Revelation (1:11). The suffering that is mentioned is directly addressed to the Christians located in that city. Most historical accounts talk of dissension between Jews and Christians in Smyrna. And this is alluded to earlier in the passage. "I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan (Revelation 2:9)." John uses some harsh and clear language in describing what was going on in Smyrna. He uses the words "affliction" and "poverty" to refer to the Christian condition. Affliction means a state of pain, distress or grief. Poverty means the state or condition of having little or no money, goods or means of support. Then he goes on to describe those persecuting the Christians as using slander against the Church, who are not really Jews and being from the "synagogue of Satan." Slander is a malicious, false and defamatory statement. In other words, those of the synagogue of Satan were lying about the Christians as a weapon against them. What does all this remind you of?
Jesus said, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first (John 15:18)." What happened to Jesus during his earthly ministry and up until the time He was crucified? He was afflicted. "Just as there were many who were appalled at him his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness (Isaiah 52:14)." He endured poverty. "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head (Luke 9:58)." His enemies tried to slander Him. "The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death (Matthew 26:59)." The devil had his hands in Jesus' suffering. "Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus (Luke 22:3-4)." Therefore, the suffering that the church in Smyrna was enduring was the byproduct of their faith in Jesus Christ. Just like Jesus suffered persecution because He was hated, so it was with those in Smyrna. However, just because the message to the church in Smyrna was not for everyone, Christians should be aware that we are all subject to facing persecution and suffering in the name of Jesus Christ.
In another letter written by the Apostle John, he writes, "Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you (1 John 3:13)." If you have not suffered for Christ there is a good chance that some day you will. It may not be the kind of suffering endured by the Church in Smyrna or the kind that Jesus experienced. But, suffering takes many forms. One doesn't have to look too far in today's world to see how anything remotely related to the Christian faith is becoming increasingly despised by the world. We have already seen the Bible and prayer removed from public schools, but suffering can take other forms as well. Suffering can be as subtle as being encouraged to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" because someone may be offended by the greeting. Then the persecution can take a step up to the level in which it is illegal to even speak biblical truth because it may be deemed "hate speech." Ultimately, as is the case in many countries around the world, the persecution has reached the point where Christians have lost their lives and continue to do so because of their faith in Jesus Christ. "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name (1 Peter 4:16)."
Why on earth would the Apostle Peter tell us to praise God that we bear the name of Jesus Christ if it means that we are going to suffer because of it? The Apostle Paul gives us an answer. "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:17)." We suffer because we know that it means we will someday experience the glory of eternal life with the Lord. Knowing that we might suffer, and that many do suffer, for Jesus Christ should be encouraging. Not simply because we know we will someday be in heaven away from the suffering, but because it is one more piece of hard evidence of the truth of the Bible. One last thing I want to call your attention to is a what may go unnoticed in Revelation 2:9; that being where it says "yet you are rich!" In the midst of affliction, poverty and slander John tells the church in Smyrna that they are rich. Obviously, this isn't rich as in material wealth or money. It is rich in the sense of their, and our, identification with Jesus Christ. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9)." We may not all suffer like those in Smyrna and others throughout history, but we all are rich because of our faith in Christ.
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