8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
One of the most moving of all documents that have come down to us from the early Church is that which gives an account of the martyrdom of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, which took place in 155 AD It well illustrates the solemn warnings of our Lord here - it is impressive to note that He did not promise deliverance from the persecutors, but exhorted the saints to be faithful unto death, i.e. even if faithfulness led to martyrdom - and gives some indication of the wonderful spirit of dedication which prevailed among the believers in Smyrna. The saintly leader was apprehended by the soldiers, and brought before the pro-consul, and commanded to swear by the genius of Caesar, and call Caesar Lord. 'Swear, and I will release thee; curse the Christ', said the official. And Polycarp said, 'Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He hath done me no wrong; how then can I blaspheme my King Who saved me?' The proconsul then said, 'I have wild beasts; if thou repent not, I will throw thee to them'. But he said, 'send for them. For repentance from better to worse is not a change permitted to us; but to change from cruelty to righteousness is a noble thing. Then said the proconsul again, 'If thou dost despise the wild beasts, I will make thee to be consumed by fire, if thou repent not'. And Polycarp answered, 'Thou threatenest the fire that burns for an hour and in a little while is quenched; for thou knowest not of the fire of the judgment to come, and the fire of the eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. But why delayest thou? Bring what thou wilt'. The mob straightway brought timber and faggots from the workshops, the Jews giving themselves zealously to the work. Thus was Polycarp burned at the stake.