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Here we have the second epistle, which St. John wrote by the command of Christ to the Church of Smyrna, a famous city in one of the provinces of Asia, where Polycarp was bishop, and suffered martyrdom.
Now in this epistle we have these particulars considerable.
1. The description which Christ is pleased here to give of himself, namely, The first and the last, which was dead and is alive; and the suitableness of this description, for the consolation of this church, which was now under great tribulation. It is as if Christ had said, "I am an eternal Being, the first cause, and last end; I was myself put to death, but I am alive again; therefore, fear neither sufferings nor death, for I will assist and strengthen you, and if you lose your lives for my sake, I will raise your bodies again to everlasting life."
Observe, 2. The commendation given by Christ of this church at Smyrna, it is large and full; nay, Christ blameth nothing in this church: she kept her purity best, because always in affliction: not but there were failings undoubtedly in this church, but Almighty God mercifully overlooked them. As in the case of Job, no mention is made of his impatience, though he showed much, but we are called upon to behold him as a pattern of patience.
Observe next, The particulars of this church's commendation, I know thy works, and thy tribulation, and poverty; that is, thy labour and sufferings, and worldly poverty, which thy profession of the gospel hath brought upon thee: but though thou art outwardly poor, yet art thou inwardly rich; rich in grace, rich in faith and patience, rich in meekness and humility, rich in courage and Christian fortitude.
And farther, I know also the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and are not; that is, I know the malicious reproaches and evil speeches of your enemies; cast upon you, partly by native Jews, who glory in circumcision and the law; and partly by false Christians, professing faith in Christ, but not daring to own him, for fear of persecution. These belong to Satan's synagogue, not to Christ's church. None are so bad as they who only profess and seem to be good.
Observe farther, The encouragement which Christ gives this church to persevere in the faith, though they should suffer much sharper things than ever they yet suffered: fear none of the things you may be called forth to suffer: what though the devil by his instruments cast some of you into prison, and you suffer for a short time, be faithful to your profession until the day of your death, and I shall reward you with a crown of life.
Note here, 1. That Satan by his instruments has been the cause of all those bitter and bloody persecutions which Christianity in all ages hath undergone.
Note, 2. That though Satan's malice be infinite, yet his power is limited and bounded; he cannot do all the mischief he would, and he shall not do all he can: Satan shall cast you into prison, but not into hell; and not all of you into prison neither, but some only.
Note, 3. How mercifully Almighty God overrules the devil's rage and malice, making it subservient to his own glory, and his church's good, causing that which Satan intended for destruction, to serve only for probation and trial. The devil's design by all those floods of wrath, which he pours out against the church, is that she may be destroyed; but God's intent is only that she may be tried; even as the wise refiner, when he casts his gold into the furnace, designs the purifying of the metal, and only the consuming of the dross.
Note, 4. That the sufferings of good men for the cause of Christianity, though they may be sharp, yet shall they be but short: Ye shall have tribulation ten days, that is, for a short space of time.
Note, 5. That a persevering faithfulness in the service of Christ in this life, is indispensably necessary to our obtaining the crown of life and immortality in the world to come: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Observe lastly, The conclusion of this epistle to the church of Smyrna: this is partly hortatory: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear, what the spirit saith unto the churches. The warnings of the Holy Spirit to the churches are recorded as of great concernment for all to mind: and partly promissory, He that overcometh, that is, conquereth the love of this world, and the love of life, when God calls him forth to suffer, he shall not be hurt of the second death, that is, he shall escape eternal misery, that living death, and that dying life, which will be the assured lot and portion of the wicked and ungodly world.