It seems that when the church is persecuted the purer and hotter the Church becomes. See James 1:2-3 & 1 Peter 5:10. The purity of a Christian is forged in the anvil of adversity. Trials bring strength to the child of God. The church at Smyrna was a suffering Church. It was a church in a hurricane of trouble.

1 – The city of Smyrna (vs. 8)

It was a refined city. It was very beautiful and was set up high upon a hill, overlooking the sea. The word “Smyrna” comes from the word “myrrh”. There is no mention of the founding of this church in the book of Acts.

2. He comforts this church (vs. 9-10)

There is no criticism of the church. The church had a whole lot of problems.

• The problem of persecution (vs. 9) – They were floating in a sea of trouble. They were being crushed by the weight of their persecution. They were living in a city where “Emperor Worship” was strong. The Christian church was being persecuted for refusing to bow their knee to false worship.
• The problem of poverty (vs. 9) – This Greek word for poverty describes absolute destitution. They were poor because the labour unions were controlled by those who controlled the false worship. There was no work for those who refused to worship the emperor.
• The problem of profanity (vs. 9) – There was those who were slandering the people of the Church. These people were of the synagogue of Satan. There are those in the Church who are against God. Satan has his own church goers. Sometimes Christians can pull each other down. See Matthew 5:11-12. We are to rejoice when we are slandered.
• The problem of prison (vs. 10) – The hits just keep on coming. It was bad enough with persecution, poverty and profanity. Prison did not stop Paul and it did not stop this Church. See Philippians 1:12-21.

Don’t let difficulties stop you. You can overcome tough times as they never last. Keep on running and don’t stop. If you stop then things will overwhelm you.

3. He compliments this church (vs. 9)

They were rich. They looked poor on the outside but on the inside they were wealthy. The riches of a Church are not in a building. It is in the love that it has for Jesus Christ. We are not rich because of the money but because of the Master.

• They were rich in their worship. They were singing praises although they were being severely persecuted. Tough times should make you hungry for God.
• They were rich in their witness. They were sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. The people of Smyrna thought the Church was a goner but they were a witness all over the town.

Anyone can be happy when things are going well. It is another thing to be happy when tough times come. God calls people rich who have Him in their lives and are content.

4. He crowns this church (vs. 10-11)

There are three beautiful truths.

• The reason for suffering. We are being tested. The heat is being turned up so that we are being refined. Satan tempts to destroy and Jesus tests to develop us. We are to have our faith built up. It is like going to the gym to build muscle. God wants to get rid of the dross in our lives and He does this through trials. It will not be easy but it is necessary.
• The restraint of suffering. The tribulation would be for ten days. God is sovereign over suffering. In every trial we face, God puts a time limit. God knows how it takes. The goldsmith knows the right time to call off the heat. The Lord is looking for a reflection of Jesus Christ.
• The reward of suffering. If we are faithful He will give us a crown of life. It is the victor’s crown. It was given to those who had won the race. It was given to those who had completed faithful service. God will reward our faithfulness. You are not suffering in vain. Polycarp was a saint from Smyrna. He was martyred because he refused to recognise the Emperor as Lord. You don’t have to be successful or have material riches. God wants you to be faithful to the end.

Categories: Revelation