The Suffering Church under Attack

In this message centering on Revelation 2:8–11, Chuck Swindoll explores the letter to the church in Smyrna, a congregation facing the intense heat of persecution. Swindoll opens by identifying suffering as one of the three “universal languages” of humanity—alongside laughter and music—that requires no translation to be understood [2–3]. He sets the historical stage by profiling the brutal reigns of Nero and Domitian, the latter of whom exiled the Apostle John to Patmos, intending to silence him but inadvertently sparking the writing of Revelation [4–5].

Swindoll portrays Smyrna as a city of immense beauty and wealth, known as the “First of Asia,” yet spiritually hostile due to its deep dedication to Emperor worship. Because the Christians in Smyrna refused to burn incense to Caesar or call him “Lord,” they were viewed as treacherous and unpatriotic [11–13]. Into this fearful environment, Jesus introduces Himself as the One who “was dead and has come to life,” offering profound comfort to a people facing the threat of execution [14–15].

The message unpacks Jesus’ specific knowledge of their situation: He sees their tribulation (crushing pressure), their poverty (economic destitution), and the blasphemy leveled against them by the “synagogue of Satan”. Despite these terrors, Jesus commands them, “Do not fear.” Swindoll explains that while the devil may cast some into prison for a short time (“ten days”), the believer’s resources in Christ are adequate to withstand the assault. The sermon concludes with the moving historical account of Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna, whose martyrdom illustrates the promise of the text: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the Crown of Life” [28–30, 36–37].

Message Key Facts:

• Three Universal Languages: Swindoll asserts that no matter the culture, everyone understands the languages of laughter, music, and suffering [2–3].
• The Refining Process: Drawing from his experience working in a machine shop, Swindoll compares suffering to heat-treating steel. Just as a furnace causes “slag” (impurities) to flake off metal, making it pure and strong, trials remove the impurities from a believer’s character, resulting in a life that is “approved” (James 1:12) [8–9].
• Smyrna’s “Street of Gold”: The city of Smyrna was famous for a highway that circled Mount Pagos like a necklace on a statue. It was a center of the Imperial Cult, boasting temples to Roma and Tiberius, making it dangerous territory for anyone who refused to worship the state [11–12].
• Tribulation (Thlipsis): Swindoll defines the Greek word for tribulation used in verse 9 not just as pressure, but as “crushing pressure,” akin to a large boulder dropping on someone. This refers to the social ostracism and physical threats the church endured.
• The Synagogue of Satan: Swindoll explains this harsh phrase refers to religious individuals who were “Jews outwardly” (by birth) but not “inwardly” (by faith, as defined in Romans 2). Because they persecuted the followers of the Messiah, Jesus identifies their assembly as being motivated by the adversary, Satan [21–24].
• Satan’s True Appearance: Swindoll dispels the cartoonish image of Satan as a red figure with a pitchfork. He describes the enemy as brilliant, attractive, and invisible, often motivating human agents who are unaware they are following his script [26–27].
• The “Ten Days”: The prophecy that they will have tribulation for “ten days” likely signifies a brief but intense period of testing. It indicates that suffering has a limit set by God; it is not open-ended.
• The Martyrdom of Polycarp: Swindoll tells the story of Polycarp, a disciple of John and Bishop of Smyrna, who was burned at the stake at age 86. When ordered to revile Christ to save his life, Polycarp famously replied: “For 86 years I have served Him and He has done me no wrong; how then can I blaspheme my King who has saved me?” [36–37].

Message References:

• Revelation 2:8–11: The primary text containing the letter to the church in Smyrna, the command not to fear, and the promise of the Crown of Life.
• James 1:2–4, 12: “Consider it all joy… Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial… for he will receive the Crown of Life” [6–7, 9].
• Romans 2:28–29: “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly… but he is a Jew who is one inwardly,” referenced to explain the distinction between ethnic heritage and spiritual faith.
• John 8: Referenced regarding Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees, where He told them they were “of your father the devil,” establishing the precedent for the phrase “synagogue of Satan” [23–24].
• Hebrews 4:15: Referenced to remind listeners that Jesus is touched with the feelings of our weaknesses and knows our circumstances.

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll