Kota Kemuning Church of Christ

Lessons from the Church in Smyrna

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