Introduction

Today we look at the second of seven letters of Jesus to the churches in the Book of Revelation: The letter to the church of Smyrna. This church is often known as the persecuted church. Although the city around them was considered wealthy, the church was viewed as poor. Last week I reminded you that one way of interpreting this section of Scripture is to view it prophetically and see it as a period of Church history as well as an actual church. If we take that into consideration then this period of Church history falls in somewhere between (100-313 AD).

Revelation 2:8-11 (HCSB)

8  “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: “The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says: 9  I know your affliction 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. 10  Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11  “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death.

Persecuted

I mentioned that this period of Church history and the actual Smyrna church was considered a period of heavy persecution for Christ's Church. Although Christ's Gospel had spread through the known world, it existed in a very paganized society.

The city of Smyrna was known for the fragrant spice Myrrh. This is the same spice that the Bible mentions being brought to Jesus birth and also seen at His burial. The word literally means to release a pleasing aroma when crushed. During this time in history there was an estimated 5 million Christians to have been killed by the Roman government. To put that figure into perspective, the world didn’t reach 1 billion people on the planet until the 1970"s. This was a bloody stretch of Church history. I don’t think our modern mind can even begin to understand what Christians have gone through for the name of Christ. In this letter Jesus said, "I am aware", meaning I see your affliction.

Poor

This was also a poor church. Jews who were living in this city and area at the time would have been exempt from economic prejudice from the Roman government, but not so for Christians. Although Rome would have alienated the Christians, it was also the Jews who did most of the damage when it came to making it difficult economically. It was often hard for Christians to have thriving businesses because of this.

But Jesus said, "I know your poverty." By the world's standards they were flat broke but according to God's economy they were rich. How could this be? Because Jesus is all they needed. It may not have been all they wanted but He was all they needed. They same goes for us today. We may not have all we want in life like fine clothes, houses, cars, and all the money in the world, but God supplies us with everything we need. When we die we won't wish we would have bought more stuff but we will desire that we would have given more to the kingdom of God.

Afflicted

Finally, this was an afflicted church. Jesus said, "the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison." Make no mistake my friends, the enemy of the Church is Satan.

Ephesians 6:12 (HCSB)

12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

For all history Satan has tried to imitate everything God does. He has his own church, bible, ministries and ministers, theology, and spirit. One of his greatest attacks is to spit out little bits of heresy to trip people up so they will miss heaven by a thread. His attacks on the person of Jesus Christ and the salvation by grace through faith are two prime examples. Cults often teach that Jesus is only one of many great prophets and that we can place our faith in Christ but they say it is Christ plus something else. But my friends, we do good works because we are saved not to become saved.

Condemnation

Smyrna was one of only two churches Jesus gave not one word of condemnation. The other church was Philadelphia. There were no words of rebuke. We all have been through evaluations in our lifetime at work or at school haven't we? But just think, this church received none.

Counsel

Jesus closing words to this church were "don’t be afraid." He was saying "trust Me." He was admitting they would suffer for Him but He has a greater purpose for their suffering. He will give them what they need and He will continue to be faithful in doing so, even when they felt like they had no strength.