Day 343: Revelation 2:8–9

I know your tribulation and 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 (v. 9).

Christ commented about the slander of those who falsely claimed to be Jews but instead were a synagogue of Satan. This fact may imply that the Jews in Smyrna identified the Christians to the government and greatly heightened the persecution against them.

Imagine God’s derision for a people who not only looked the other way but actively enforced poverty and affliction on His children. They had no idea the King of the earth walked through the perfectly paved streets of their fair city checking on those who called themselves by His name.

The people of Smyrna took great pride in the beauty of their city. I found the following quote out of Biblical Illustrator quite ironic: “The hills and the sea added to the picturesque quality of the city. The city itself nestled under the hill Pagos, which made an ideal acropolis. This beauty was marred, however, by a drainage problem in the lower city which resulted in the silting up of the harbor and an accumulation of unpleasant odors.”76

Try as they might to build the most impressive city in Asia, they just couldn’t do anything about that putrid smell. Don’t think for a moment that their unrelenting persecution of innocent people didn’t rise up to the nostrils of God. Interestingly, the name Smyrna means “myrrh.”77 Yet nothing but stench ascended to the heavens from the arrogantly pristine, highly educated, and wealthy of Smyrna. From the hidden slums, however, rose a fragrant incense of great expense. No perfume is more costly and more aromatic to God than the faithfulness of believers who are suffering.

I remember serving on a team with a pastor whose son was soon to die of a malignant brain tumor unless God miraculously intervened. I stood not far from him during praise and worship. This precious father did not deny his immense pain. His tears fell unashamedly, but all the while his worship rose just as unashamedly. I can hardly hold back my own tears as I picture his face. Many of us felt the favor of God over our interdenominational prayer gathering that night. Somehow, I believe in the midst of much praise, a fragrance of greater price and exceeding sweetness ascended to the throne from one grieving servant of God.