Smyrna – The Persecuted Church – Sermon 25 August, 201

Smyrna – The Persecuted Church

Rev. 2:8-11

The Lord Jesus loves His church and does not forget it. It is the subject of His concern and love. He cares for the church and encourages its members to persevere in their journey so that they are awarded. If the members of the church are interested with all their heart with the ministry and endeavour to do their best, then Christ values, exhorts and blesses them abundantly.

Today we will look at the 2nd church of revelation, the church in Smyrna.

The City of Smyrna was located about 40 miles north of Ephesus. It was a very old, beautiful city. Today it is called Izmir and has a population of over 3,000,000. It is the third largest city in Turkey. Smyrna was nicknamed “Port of Asia” because of its excellent harbor on the Aegean Sea. It was part of the trade route from India and Persia to Rome. Smyrna was very patriotic to Rome and built the first Roman temple in honour of Tiberius and accepted the principle of Caesar worship. Each year every Roman citizen had to burn incense on the altar to the godhead of Caesar and say, “Caesar is Lord.” Because the Christians at Smyrna refused to participate in this act, they suffered tremendous persecution. Smyrna also had a large population of apostate run-away Jews, who didn’t practice their faith and hated the Christians.

Though the church at Smyrna was not as large as the church of Ephesus, it had done great deeds. The church had been persecuted but had kept its faith in Christ

Rev 2:8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.”

Jesus is reminding the Pastor and the church in Smyrna, that He is the First and the Last and that He is in control.

The Commendation:

Rev 2:9-10 “I know your afflictions and your poverty– yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Christ is telling them that He knows that they are being persecuted and that they are very poor. The Christians were being thrown into prison and even killed because they refused to worship Caesar. Because of their refusal to obey the Roman laws. They were in extreme poverty. Yet even though they were in poverty, Christ said they were rich!

God never promised any of us that we would be wealthy. But He did promise that He would provide for our needs. You can have all the money in the world and be the most liked and famous person in the world, but without Christ you are nothing. Having Christ as our Saviour and Lord is greater than any riches that we could ever hope for. If you have Christ in your heart and are living a true Christian life, then you are the richest person in the world.

Christ knew that the Romans were not only persecuting the Christians of Smyrna, but the non-believing Jews were also persecuting the Christians. The apostate Jews would spread lies concerning the Christians and have them killed or thrown into prison. These Jews of Smyrna were not practicing the true Jewish faith, because they were also worshipping Caesar. This is why Christ called them a synagogue of Satan. These Christian had persecution from all sides, yet they did not turn away from their faith.

Christ even told them that the devil would put some of them into prison to test them and would suffer persecution for a short period of time. Satan wants more than anything to have a Christian turn away from God. He thinks that Christians would blame God and turn from the faith, if they are persecuted and imprisoned for false reasons. Many Christians have turned from the faith when faced with persecution today. But the Christians of Smyrna stood firm no matter what Satan threw at them.

The Condemnation:

Jesus did not have any condemnation for the Church in Smyrna. They must have been doing something right even in their trials and tribulations. Is the church today like this one or would Jesus have condemnations?

The Reward:

Jesus told these Christians to be faithful even to the point of death and He would reward them with the crown of life.

This is a call from God, a call of obedience, perseverance and faithfulness. Commitment is necessary to obey this call.

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

With this call, there is also a promise of awarding, which should greatly encourage the believers. God promises the crown of life for all that perseveres under trial. We are to take up our cross and follow Christ and in doing so, we will be persecuted.

Rev 2: 11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.”

Christ is telling us that we should listen to what he is saying to the churches of Revelation. His message is just as relevant today as it was in the time of Smyrna. Jesus claimed victory over death and we can too by accepting Christ as our Saviour.

The church should be faithful to its calling as it is faithful to its principles, doctrines, ideologies, beliefs and values. The members of the church in Smyrna willingly endured all kinds of persecution because they loved Christ more than the world around them. Can we say the same? Paul rejoiced when he was persecuted and thrown into prison. What would we do? Would we rejoice in the Lord?

God is in control. Everything that is happening in the world today should be of no surprise to us. The Bible says that these things must take place, before Christ returns for His church. Why do we worry? Why do we fear? Is it that our faith is lacking?

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Jesus promised us His peace and told us not to worry. God never breaks a promise. Have faith that God will provide for your needs no matter what happens. God will be with you and comfort you in all of your trials. Trust in Him and obey Him and do His will in your life. Then maybe we can become like the Church of Smyrna and receive a commendation instead of a condemnation.

Krikor Youmshajekian