The Persecuted Church at Smyrna
December 19, 2019
Commentary
The letter to Smyrna, the shortest of the seven letters, was written to Christians being persecuted not only by pagan Gentiles but also by hostile Jews and by Satan himself. Smyrna, a large city, rebuilt by Alexander the Great, was wealthy and famous.
I. Smyrna was a crushed Church. (vv. 9b-10a)
a. They faced persecution. This church was paying the price for their allegiance to Jesus.
b. They faced poverty. They had none of this world’s goods because of their relationship with Jesus.
c. They faced prison. Soon the Romans would begin imprisoning people for being Christians.
II. Smyrna was a consistent Church. (v. 9a)
a. They had a positive testimony. The Lord had no rebuke for this church.
b. They had a powerful testimony. Jesus said to them, “I know thy works.”
III. Smyrna was a comforted Church. (vv. 8-11)
a. They had the interest of Heaven. “I know thy works.”
b. They had the involvement of Heaven. Jesus comes to them as “the first and the last.”
c. They had their investment in Heaven. What they lacked God made up for in Heaven.
d. They had their inheritance in Heaven. Their faithfulness had purchased a great inheritance.
Application
I need to look at our Lord’s words to this struggling little congregation to find the encouragement that I need to be able to stand when I am persecuted or everything seems to be against me.
Revelation 2:8– 11 (NET)
8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following:
9 ‘I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. 11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.’
Illustration: Satan Has Three Lines of Attack
Satan has three lines of attack. First, he tries to keep men from becoming Christians. Then, if stopped here, he tries to keep them from being active and useful as Christians. And finally, as a last resort, he tries to destroy their character. (Lou Nicholes – Author and Missionary).