proclaims himself to them as ** the first and the last,'* the eternal, immutable Jehovah, on whose promises' they might depend ; and as their " dead, yet living' Saviour, from whose death they derived all their hopes, and in whose resurrection they had a pledge of their own resurrection to eternal happiness and glory..
In the contents of the epistle we notice, I. His testimony respecting them —
Apprising them that he " knew their works," he gives his testimony,
1. By a direct affirmation —
[The Church at Smyrna, like that at Ephesus, was in a state of grievous persecution : their property had been seized and confiscated, and they were reduced to extreme poverty. Yet they bore their trials with " patience," and " took joy- fully the spoiling of their goods :" they had learned that dif- ficult lesson, to " glory in tribulations."
This meek submissive spirit was united, it should seem, with a very low opinion of their own attainments : they were " poor in spirit," and thought themselves as poor in spiritual things, as they were in temporal. But our blessed Lord, who " seeth not as man seeth," declared that they were " rich." Amidst all their straits, they possessed " the true riches * ;" they were rich towards God""," "rich in faith''" and "good works V' rich in possession and in reversion too. How precious must such a testimony have been from their God and Judge!]
1. In a way of contrast —
[There were among their persecutors some who called themselves " Jews," or God's peculiar people, and (probably) blended Judaism with Christianity ; but who, by their princi- ples and conduct, evinced that they were "blasphemers" of the Lord Jesus, and that they composed rather a " Synagogue of Satan" than a Church of Christ. These also Jesus " knew," and perfectly distinguished. He saw through their cloke of hypocrisy and presumption ; and attested that they were wor- shippers and servants of the devil rather than of him : while, on the other hand, he beheld the distinguished piety of his own people ; and, notwithstanding the veil of humility with which it was hidden from their own eyes, proclaimed them to be " rich in the estimation of their God."]
The
"Lukexvi. 11. *• Luke xii. 21.
*;Jani. ii. 5. •* 1 Titp. yi..l8.
320: REVELATION, ir. 8 — 11. fl^Ol.
The condescension is yet further marked in, II. The encouragement he gave them —
However great their trials had been, they were speedily to be augmented in an alarming degree. But the Lord Jesus, forewarning them of their approach- ing difficulties, bids them " not fear any of those things which they were about to suffer:" for that,
1. Their trials were limited —
[Satan is indeed the arch-persecutor of the Church. Men, of whatever rank and condition, are only his instruments ; though it must be confessed they ai'e willing agents in that diabolical emj)loyment. God foresaw that a storm was ga- thering ; and that it would involve the Church in much calamity. But he informs his people, that all events were under his go- vernment ; and that Satan could prevail no further than he saw fit to permit him. Satan would have cast, not " some" of the people, but all ; not " into prison," but into hell; not' *' for ten days," butyb;- ever ; not " that they might be tried," but that they might perish. But the time, the measure, the extent, the operation of their trials was in higher hands. Hence our Lord says to them, " Fear them not :" ' they are permitted only for your good :' " no temptation shall come, •without either a way for your escape, or strength sufficient for your burthen*." As such a portion of water only is suf- fered to come upon a mill as will accomplish the ends designed, and the rest is diverted to anotlier channel ; so Jesus assures them, that no more tribulation should come on them than should subserve the purposes of his grace, and issue in their benefit]