The Persecuted Church 

Revelation 2:8-11
The Persecuted Church
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 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.
11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

Smyrna was a significant port city in the Roman province of Asia. This ancient city was located on the coast of the Aegean Sea. It is now known as Izmir in western Turkey.
 
The city was powerful and wealthy in ancient times, ranking with Ephesus and Pergamos for influence and importance.
 
The church in Smyrna was one of the Seven Churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Out of the seven churches, only two were not rebuked but commended by the Lord. And the church in Smyrna was one of the two.

She was known for her sufferings and resilience. She was commended for her faithfulness in Christ, having spiritual richness despite facing intense persecutions and poverty.
 
As the Christians did not conform to the world and the standards of the world, they encountered considerable hardships and persecutions. They had to endure physical violence and economic hardships. It was all because they stood firm in Christ, not doing what the worldly people told and demanded them to do.
 
Despite the challenges, the church in Smyrna remained faithful to Christ and persevered through the tribulations and trials. Jesus commended them for their faithfulness and resilience.
 
Polycarp, a disciple of John, was martyred there. He was a prominent figure in the church in Smyrna.
 
The Lord told the believers in Smyrna that He had died and came to life again. He knew their troubles. He knew that they were poor, but they were truly rich!
 
He also knew about the terrible and horrible things that some people were saying about them. These scorners claimed that they were Jews, but they were not true Jews. In fact, they belonged to a synagogue of Satan. Not all Jews are true Jews! And not all Christians are true Christians!
 
The Christians were exhorted not be afraid of what would happen to them. The devil would put some of them in prison to test them. They would suffer for ten days. They were also encouraged to be faithful, even if they had to die for their faith. If they were faithful, they would receive a crown of life.
 
Jesus promised those who remained faithful in Smyrna a crown of life for their unwavering faith. Those who overcome will win the victory, and will not be hurt by the second death.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12
Cast Down but Unconquered
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

May we be faithful like the true Christians in Smyrna. We need to know the true power of God not only in the good times but also in the bad times. Even if we have troubles all around us, we are not defeated. Even if we do not know what to do, we do not give up. Even if we are persecuted, God does not leave us.
 
Even if we are wounded sometimes, we are not destroyed. Through all the trials and persecutions, we carry the death of Jesus in our own bodies, so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies. Even if we are always facing death, we are alive in Christ! Even if our bodies die, the life of Jesus will continue to be seen and revealed!
 
May we remain faithful to Christ, and receive a crown of life.
 

Written on 28 April 2025