Steve Grant
Series in Revelation
Performance Review Of The Churches, Part 2: Smyrna
Revelation 2:8-11
19 March 2017
Smyrna is the only church in Revelation for which Jesus did not have a rebuke. A church in the thick of persecution, they are a model of constant love towards God.
Christ says that He knows the suffering of the Smyrna church, and yet they did not renounce their faith. Christians who did not worship Caesar were barred from the market, unable to buy or sell. Although this caused them great poverty, Jesus calls them rich because of their faith. Being truly rich means living for eternity.
They were also being persecuted by "a synagogue of Satan;" Jews that did not truly believe. Although Satan was behind this, God was above it all. For this reason, Jesus says "do not be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer." Because the Lord is in control of trials, we can accept and endure them (1 Peter 3:13-17).
Jesus promises that "he who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death." We may indeed face persecution and even death in this world, but we need not fear it in the next (Revelation 20:11-15).