Written by Roger D. Campbell
Well-known as a place of emperor-worship and Jewish hostility toward Christianity, the city of Smyrna was located about thirty-five to forty miles (56-64km) north of Ephesus. One of the seven churches of Asia, the Smyrna church of the Christ is mentioned in the Bible only in Revelation 2:8-11.
Because they were humans, the saints in Smyrna were not flawless. Yet, when the Lord sent them a message through John, He had nothing bad to say about them. That would indicate that matters were moving in a good direction with the Smyrna church.
When Jesus spoke to them, He spoke as one who knew everything about them. So, when He said, “I know your . . .” (2:9), His analysis was completely accurate. Our lives are like an open book before the one who was dead but then “came to life” (2:8).
Consider some of the things that the saints in Smyrna faced in their lives. They faced tribulation (2:9), which is something that all Christians must endure in order to enter God’s kingdom (Acts 14:22). There were in a state of financial poverty (2:9), which is no fun for any human being to experience. In addition, they endured blasphemy (2:9) which came from those who were Satan’s servants (2:9).
What about their future? The Christ told them, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (2:10). Their faith would be tested in a number of ways. At least some of them would suffer, be imprisoned, and even die . . . all because of their commitment to their risen Lord. No, Jesus did not promise to remove any of those unpleasant experiences from their lives. We also recall this fact: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Being mistreated “comes with the territory” when one is a loyal disciple of Jesus.
Despite the suffering that was part of their lives, the Smyrna Christians were greatly blessed. First, they served a risen Savior, the Christ “who was dead, and came to life” (2:8). Second, the Lord told them that, despite their poverty, they were rich. They were poor in a material sense, but wealthy in the spiritual realm. Their Father is the Ruler and Owner of the
universe (Psalm 24:1). They also enjoyed all spiritual blessings in the Christ (Ephesians 1:3), including the hope of an inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:3,4). Do not feel sorry for anyone who is “rich in faith” (James 2:5) and “rich toward God” (Luke 12:21)! As Jesus informed them about their future, He told them not to fear (2:10). Thus, a third blessing they had was being able to live their lives without fear overwhelming and paralyzing them. When you walk with the One who holds the keys of Hades and Death (1:18), there is no need to be afraid!
Jesus promised a great reward to His faithful servants in Smyrna. He describes their reward as “the crown of life” (2:10). Such a crown is a symbol of the saints’ victory and points to eternal life in heaven. That crown elsewhere is called “the crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8) and is depicted as “an imperishable crown” (1 Corinthians 9:25). Great is the reward in heaven for those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake and do not desert the Lord when they face such (Matthew 5:10-12).
Our Lord also told the Smyrna saints that those who “overcome shall not be hurt by the second death” (2:11). Such a death is eternal separation from the God of heaven. That death is avoided by continuing to overcome (2:11) and by continuing to be faithful (2:10), even to the point of dying for the Savior, if necessary (2:10).
In a world that places so much emphasis on material things and fleshly pleasure, our Lord’s message to the church in Smyrna reminds all of us to focus on what is most important in life. No matter what the devil and his forces throw at us, we can be faithful and overcome! Remaining loyal to the God of heaven must be our greatest goal in life, because only that approach to life on earth will result in us living with Him forever in heaven.
The church in Smyrna was not about fame or fortune. They were just people like you and me who tried their best to live for the Lord. May we always appreciate Him, appreciate His faithful servants, and appreciate His inheritance that awaits us.