BACKGROUND
“If it was inevitable that Ephesus should come first in the list of the seven churches, it was only natural that Smyrna, its great rival, should come second. [Ephesus was the first and greatest metropolis of Asia, yet] Of all the cities of Asia, Smyrna was the loveliest.”[1] Smyrna was a city reborn in splendor. Destroyed in 600 b.c., Smyrna existed a collection of villages for nearly 300 years until Alexander the Great commissioned its rebuilding. Through the authority and power behind this commanded rebirth, Smyrna become one of the first planned cities of the ancient world and thus architecturally exquisite and advanced.
Smyrna was famous for its temples to Zeus and Cybele, which capped either end of a great mall that was the ancient world's envy. This collection of expertly designed and magnificently maintained buildings was known as the crown of Smyrna,” as it sat atop the city’s highest ridge. Encircling this stunning coalescence like a jeweled necklace was a beautiful roadway called “the Street of Gold.” No city could compare to Smyrna’s human-crafted splendor. Even its natural features magnified the city’s designed beauty. Surrounding the city were groves of trees that produced an aromatic gum called myrrh, that same myrrh brought by the wise men from the East to Jesus’ feet. Capped by the crowned ridge, surrounded by groves of precious trees, and sitting on idyllic waters which cooled the city during the hot summer months, providing a pleasant climate year-round, Smyrna was a paradise. Add to the visual splendor that Smyrna claimed to be the birthplace of the famed Greek poet Homer, and thus a center for thought and creativity, and it is easy to imagine the beauty of the world holding no more excellent representation.
As a harbor city, the trade and commerce that developed turned Smyrna into a commercial metropolis. Like Ephesus, Smyrna was a free city, free because of its distinction as Rome's most loyal city. Throughout its history, Smyrna “maintained an excellent relationship with Rome... It was the first city in Asia to erect a temple to the goddess Roma (195 b.c.). In a.d. 26, because of its long loyalty to Rome, it beat out ten other cities for the privilege of building a temple to the emperor Tiberias. In succeeding decades, [about the time of Jesus’ address] it became a center of the imperial cult.”[2] The details of daily living (work, municipal services, and faith) were one in Smyrna. Politics, religion, and economy formed a three-corded strand not easily broken.
Smyrna was not only “great in trade, beauty, and political and religious status; it was also a city where culture flourished,”[3] notes Barclay. Here, in this marvelous reborn metropolis, everyone “wanted to exalt Smyrna and had a personal desire to climb to the top of the municipal tree. It is not without significance that in the address of the letter, the risen Christ is called ‘the first and the last.’”[4] In a city that boasted in the pursuit and achievement of everything good, true, and beautiful, a crucified and risen peasant, King was certainly an oddity.
PREPARATION
IMPORTANT: Try to make sure you have at least 25 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is okay! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer; it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.
PRACTICE
READ Revelation 2:8-11 slowly. If possible, read it aloud.
Now that you are familiar with the context and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today. If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.
Now, reread the passage slowly, envisioning Jesus as he described, ruling over all history past and future, dying, seemingly defeated by our common enemy, and yet alive, victorious. Picture Jesus as he is described in 5:12 “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”. Imagine this Jesus speaking to his friends, followers, and flock struggling to survive their faith. As you read and imagine[5],
Listen for a word or phrase, encouragement, admonishment, promise, etc., that stands out. Don’t choose this yourself; let the Spirit bring it to your mind. Even if you don’t like it, try to welcome it with humility (it’s key!) and see what happens.
Consider how you relate to the people and place of Smyrna. How are their issues, your issue, or our faith family’s issue? How is their life of faith similar to yours and ours? How is it different?
Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder the questions and listen quietly.
REFLECT Reread the letter to Smyrna slowly.
As you reflect the words of Jesus to this faith family, consider the following:
The word or phrase or detail that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?
The promise. In what ways might this promise have encouraged them in patient endurance and unity amid experiencing a season of “testing” as well as daily tribulation and God’s kingdom at the same time? How might the promise encourage you or us to do the same?
Give yourself 2-3 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How do you want me to ‘keep what is written?”
RESPOND Read Revelation 2:8-11 one last time.
Prepare yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you as you found yourself in the letter from Jesus to the faith family of Smyrna.
Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or confess to God something or ask God for something.
Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.
REST Do as you are led for the last 5 minutes.
You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus, who speaks directly and pastorally to his sheep. You may want to pay attention to Jesus, pondering: what Jesus does in this particular prophetic utterance or what he describes his people doing, or what about Jesus makes you marvel, or least want to be with him? Sit in the companionship of God—who offers us a life without fear of whatever our adversary may bring about as well as our Father’s judgment.
CONCLUSION
Having fed on the word through this practice, give it time to digest. In a day or two, come back to your thoughts and observations about yourself, the church, and our church; praying these back to God and asking for clarity, encouragement, and courage to respond to Him. Consider sharing these with your Gospel Community, DNA, or another “sibling and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance which are in Jesus” (Rev. 1:9). Maybe even repeat the practice once more!
[1] William Barclay, The Revelation of John, vol. 1, 81.
[2] G.R. Osborne, Revelation, 127.
[3] Barclay, 83.
[4] Ibid. 84.
[5] Revelation requires us to exercise our imagination. If the use of imagination in faith and life with Jesus is new to you, take a minute to read pages 18-19 of this resource.