This is the second of a seven-part series concerning the letters Jesus told John to write to the seven churches in Asia Minor. This article is about the letter to Smyrna contained in Revelation 2:8-11. This is the shortest letter of the seven.
Smyrna was located 45 miles north of Ephesus and it was a very prosperous and beautiful city. For political reasons, Rome granted Smyrna permission to build a Temple to the Roman Emperor Tiberius. Tiberius was the second Emperor of Roman and he was a man of much debauchery. As a result, the Temple was a place where much sexual immorality took much among the Jews in the city.
In order to please Rome, the believers in Smyrna were greatly persecuted. The persecution resulted in the believers suffering much tribulation and poverty. The church in Smyrna was regarded as “The Church of Persecution.”
Jesus, in the letter, told the believers not to fear any of the things that may happen to them as a result of being persecuted. He informed them that some of them would be placed in prison, tried and suffer tribulations for 10 days. Jesus also told them, that through it all, remain faithful until death, and He would give them a crown of life.
Jesus also said that there were Jews in their midst who were not really Jews, but were actually members of the congregation, (synagogue) of Satan. The same is true today. There are people as members of churches who claim to be saved but are really unsaved and members of Satan’s Kingdom. They are in churches to cause trouble, division, and to dilute the truth of God’s Word. They can be in any position in the church, including the position of Pastor.
Believers must remain faithful to the Word of God and to Jesus Christ, the Person. Our faithfulness must remain and continue even unto death. The day may come when some churches of today may have to suffer and endure persecution for the sake of God’s Word and for the sake of Jesus. The political landscape of today suggest that that day may be upon us.