Sermon – Revelation 2 – Smyrna

Last week, we began our journey looking at the different Churches that were sent letters in Revelation 2-3. Last week, we looked at Ephesus, which taught us to not forget our first love. Even if we do great things, we must love God first and keep Him there or we risk losing our place. This week, we will look at Smyrna.
The city of Smyrna was a port city, in present day Turkey, just 35 miles North of Ephesus, surrounded by mountains, which gave it a lovely appearance, that even resembles a crown. It was the center of emperor worship, wealthy, and had a large Jewish population.
It was not the best place for Christians to live. The Church there suffered; and it is an example that one of the true marks of being a believer and belonging to the true Church is suffering. Jesus calls this Church and all faithful to trust Him.
One big thing you will notice, when we read the passage, is that there is no criticism.
Revelation 2:8-11 (NLT) … (8) “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive: (9) I know about your suffering and your poverty – but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. (10) Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. (11) Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.”
The message to the Church in Ephesus was from the “one who holds the seven stars,” and this letter is from the Eternal One and the One who was dead and is now alive. The Church in Smyrna is to trust this person.
Even though the city of Smyrna was wicked, evil, and dark; the Church there was a bright, shining light. We are to also be a light to our families, friends, workplace, schools, and wherever else we are (or go). We know the ills this world faces, and we are to shine!
The believers in Smyrna were not treated well; and in many areas today, they are treated the same. They were harassed, intimidated, jailed, made poor and homeless, ridiculed, rejected, and resented for being followers of Christ. This Church was persecuted by both Rome and the Jews that lived in the city.
Jesus existed long before Smyrna and still exists today and will forever be. He knew what it was like to suffer, which is why that is included. He “was” dead, but is “now” alive. Even if the believers here suffered death for Jesus’ sake, they would again be alive. We have to make sure we are concerned more about the second death; and warn others!
We all suffer … granted, it may be in different ways, levels, and times; but in this world, we find trouble. There are wars, diseases, financial hardships, depression, doubt, and we could list many more things. We might be able to see the next step, but remember, we must trust our God who knows and sees the whole picture.
How did the Church in Smyrna suffer?
1 – Suffering / Afflictions … the Greek word is “thilipsis” and means trouble, distress, oppression, tribulation, pressure, compression, distress of mind, affliction, or trials.
The root of this word is to press or squeeze. The believers in Smyrna faced pressure from many foes. They would have been pressured to give up their faith, to worship the emperor, to participate in pagan events; and if they didn’t give up their faith, they would suffer hardships like losing jobs or property. They would have faced a great bit of stress; and we know what that can do to our minds and bodies.
Are you under any stress or pressure regarding your faith? If you are, then please hold tight to Jesus and know that He’ll bring you through. If you are not, then perhaps it could be argued you are not doing enough. Might sound harsh, but it’s the truth – the world does not like a True Christian.

2 – Poverty … the Greek word is “ptocheia” and means poverty, begging, or beggary.

These believers were not just living paycheck to paycheck; and had nothing left over; they were to the point in which they had to beg. They had nothing; and many may have been homeless in a very rich city. If their employers worshiped pagan gods, they would want you to; or if you used to make money off pagan things and converted, then you stop.

Hebrews 10:34 (NLT) says, “You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

Are we willing to give everything up should that happen? In some areas of the world it is, and before everything is said and done, it will happen everywhere. Remember, Jesus says the truly rich, are those who are spiritually rich.

3 – Slandered … the Greek word is “blasphemia” and means blasphemy, slander, malicious talk, railing, or reproach.

The believers in Smyrna were lied about and mistreated; and I’m sure the God they served was also cast in a negative light. They were attacked by the Jews and the government; and both may have turned the other against the Christians – lies and accusations were plentiful.

If they didn’t bow down and worship Caesar, they could be considered traitors. They were accused of being cannibals and blood drinkers because of Communion. Their “love” feasts were slandered and were called orgies. They were even called atheists because they didn’t worship the Roman gods.

This is one of my biggest pet peeves – even if that is the right phrase to use here. I can’t stand being lied to or being called a liar. I might be many things, but a liar is not one of them.

Has anyone ever said anything about you that was a lie? Did it hurt your reputation or make others think less of you? It has happened to me; and it can even happen within and amongst those who claim to be Christians.

Even if people lie about us, we have to know and cling to the truth. We also have to cling to the fact that Jesus knows the truth and what He knows is more important than the opinions of sinful man.
4 – Prison … Prisons today, at least the argument goes, is to reform the “bad” guys into productive members of society, after they have paid their debt. Prisons then were just a holding cell until the court date and/or execution.
Jesus said that they would face a major test, but it would be limited. They would be in prison ten days; and during that ten days they may have been given the opportunity to recant their faith and live; or wait it out and die.
The devil has many schemes to try to trip us up and make us give up; but our faith in Jesus must be stronger. Regardless of what we are going through or what we may face one day, we must remember that God is in control and is able to guide, protect, and work things out for our benefit. We also need the faith of the Three Hebrews who were cast in the furnace and trust God regardless.
Remember, Scripture says in many places to be strong and courageous. We are not to fear man or any of the enemy’s schemes. Our God is bigger and better and stronger and smarter – there is no one else like Him. If God is for us, then who can really be against us?
People are scared today – and maybe rightly so – but that shouldn’t stop us from living and loving and giving and caring and serving and worshipping. Do we not trust God enough to continue in our faith?
What are people afraid of? … government? … war? … natural disasters? … financial losses? … diseases, including Covid? … What should churches and believers do? … should they live in fear; or keep the faith by gathering, serving, caring, and fulfilling the Great Commission?
That can be a personal question for you and your family, and for this church.
Has anyone ever heard of Polycarp? There are accounts that say he was a disciple of John the Apostle – the writer of Revelation – and that John appointed him the bishop of Smyrna.
When the persecution increased across the Roman Empire, Polycarp was forced to hide but was finally found. He made no effort to flee again; instead, he greeted the soldiers calmly and explained that he knew why they were there; and that he was ready to die.
Tradition has it, he even invited them to dinner, and only asked for an hour of prayer. There was so much passion in his prayer that the soldiers regretted they were the ones who had to arrest him.
Then, Polycarp was put on trial in Smyrna and confessed that he had served Jesus Christ for many years and had no intention of abandoning his faith. The judge offered him what was the custom of the imperial authorities of the time: deny Christ, blaspheme him, and light incense in honor of our gods, and you shall live. Polycarp didn’t want to live, at least not according to the Pagan rules. He wanted to achieve the eternal life that awaited him far from suffering on earth.
He rejected the proposal that was given to him and instead the brave old man said: “For 86 years I have served him, and he has done me no wrong; how then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” The judge threatened Polycarp that he would be burned alive, to which the arrested willingly agreed because he was not afraid of the fire and the death. Soldiers then tried to nail him to a stake, but Polycarp stopped them, saying:
“Leave me as I am. For he who grants me to endure the fire will enable me also to remain on the pyre unmoved, without the security you desire from nails…” The pile was set on fire, and flames surrounded Polycarp’s body without touching or harming the body. Furious pagans saw that that the fire failed to consume his body, so they commanded an executioner to pierce the body of Polycarp with a dagger, and so was finally done.
Legend says that blood poured from his chest so profusely that it put out the fire. He was martyred in about 168 AD and the Church commemorates St. Polycarp of Smyrna on February 23.
The letter to Smyrna ends similarly to that of Ephesus – and honestly the rest of the Churches as well. Everyone needs to listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying. To those in Ephesus, they needed to be victorious to get the fruit from the tree of life. To those in Smyrna, if they conquered (even though they were persecuted) they would avoid the second death. They might face earthly death, but would not in eternity.
We may never face the level of persecution those in Smyrna did; or what other believers face today; but whatever we do face or will face, we must trust in God to see us through. We must keep the faith, endure, conquer, be victorious, and warn others by telling them about Jesus and how they do can live for Him now; and escape the second death.