The Seven Churches (Part 2): Smyrna

The second church addressed by the Lord in the book of Revelation was the church in Smyrna. Neither the church nor the city are mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament. Yet the Lord’s letter to them provides a message of hope because the tribulations they were experiencing at that moment would not last long.

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death’” (Revelation 2:8-11).

About the City

Like Ephesus, Smyrna was an important trade city. This led to it becoming very wealthy. There was a strong emphasis on Caesar worship, which would make life difficult for Christians who refused to participate in that.

There was also a sizeable Jewish population in Smyrna. Many times in the first century, persecution against Christians would be instigated by this community. An example of this was when Paul was preaching in Thessalonica. The Jews became “jealous and [took] along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar” (Acts 17:5). This was what the Lord referred to when he identified some in Smyrna as “those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9). They were already causing trouble for the Christians in this place.

Letter to the Church

As we noted in the previous lesson on the letter to the church in Ephesus, each letter follows the same pattern. Whenever there is a deviation from this pattern, it is because one of the components in the letter did not apply to that particular church. The Lord had nothing bad to say about the church at Smyrna. Therefore, their letter contained no condemnation for sin or warning about the punishment that would come if they did not repent. Instead, they were told to be faithful and overcome the challenges they were facing.

Description of Jesus – Jesus began this letter by identifying Himself as “the first and the last” (Revelation 2:8). This was an allusion to what the Lord said through the prophet Isaiah: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me” (Isaiah 44:6). As the only true and living God, He was not only eternal (cf. Revelation 1:8), He was also greater than any power that would oppose Him and His people. This was proven through Jesus’ resurrection, which He also reminded them about in this letter, that He “was dead, and has come to life” (Revelation 2:8). His resurrection gives hope to His people as well (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:20). This would be especially encouraging for those who were facing persecution.
Current circumstances – Unlike the other citizens of this wealthy city, the Christians in Smyrna experienced poverty and tribulation. They also faced persecution from the large Jewish population in that city. Whatever persecution they experienced up to that point was about to get worse. They were in danger of being put in prison and possibly even put to death for their faith.
Commendations – After acknowledging their poverty, the Lord added the parenthetical statement, “But you are rich” (Revelation 2:9). From a material standpoint, they were poor. Yet spiritually, they were “rich toward God” (Luke 12:21) because they were faithful to Him.
Condemnations – The Lord had nothing negative to say about this church. They were one of just two of the seven churches that received no rebuke from the Lord.
Punishment for sin – Because there was no condemnation for sin that needed to be mentioned, there was no warning of punishment if they failed to repent.
Reward for faithfulness – If they were faithful even to the point of death, they would receive “the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Paul described this as “the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award…to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). The Lord also said if they overcame their trials and tribulations and remained faithful to Him, they would “not be hurt by the second death” (Revelation 2:11). The “second death” is defined later in the book as eternal punishment (Revelation 20:14-15; 21:8). They would avoid this if they continued in the faith.

Main Lesson: Tribulations Are Temporary

The church in Smyrna was experiencing tribulation and would face persecution. This was certainly undeserved, and it seems that it was unavoidable. Sometimes Christians can flee from persecution (cf. Acts 8:1), but not always. The persecution in Smyrna was going to lead to imprisonment and even death. Yet the Lord encouraged them that it would be over soon. The “ten days” was not the literal duration, but it represented a short period of time. Yet they needed to remain faithful through it rather than abandon the Lord at the end.

This is the lesson for us today. We must be willing to face persecution, knowing that it is only temporary.

Paul warned Timothy that some degree of persecution is inevitable for Christians: “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Yet we need to conduct ourselves in such a way that the suffering we experience is undeserved. Peter wrote, “When you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God” (1 Peter 2:20). We are not to suffer “as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler” (1 Peter 4:15). Yet the apostle explained that we will face persecution as a Christian and we should not be surprised when it happens:

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. […] But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name” (1 Peter 4:12-13, 16).

Whatever suffering we have to endure, it is “momentary, light affliction” when we compare it with the “eternal weight of glory” which is “beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Even if we lose our lives – as was a possibility for the brethren in Smyrna – we have “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for [us]” (1 Peter 1:3-4).