Letters To 7 Churches In The Book Of Revelation - Smyrna -

In this series of Bible Study articles, Letters To 7 Churches In The Book Of Revelation, we are going to study the letters to 7 churches in the book of Revelation. These letters to 7 churches are in Revelation 2 and 3. These are letters and messages that Jesus told John to send to 7 actual churches located in Asia Minor. Asia Minor is Turkey in modern times.

Some of the letters to the 7 churches are important messages to us today, because there are many similarities to today’s modern churches, especially in America. Specifically the letters to the churches in Ephesus and Laodicea.

John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his faithfulness to Jesus, and because of his witness to others about Jesus. Prior to his exile to Patmos John was the leader and pastor of the church in Ephesus.

In the first part of this series of Bible study articles about the Letters To 7 Churches In The Book of Revelation we studied Revelation 1. Specifically about how John was led to write the Book of Revelation. And how Jesus appeared to John when he was in exile on the island of Patmos, and Jesus’ appearance.

In Part 2 we studied the letter to the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7. Now we will study the letter that Jesus had John write and send to the church of Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

The City of Smyrna

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Smyrna was another important city in the Roman province of Asia Minor, located 56km or 35 miles north of Ephesus. Of all the 7 churches that Jesus sent a letter to in Revelation 2 and 3, Smyrna was the closest to Ephesus. The name Smyrna means myrrh. In the Bible one of the 3 wise men gave myrrh as a gift to baby Jesus. Myrrh comes from a tree and was used as perfume, or as an aromatic substance used to prepare a corpse for burial. Myrrh needs to be crushed in order to release the pleasant fragrance. This is symbolic of how God’s people and church often times needs to go through suffering or persecution to be purified and made holy. Or to become a pleasant fragrance to God. The church in Smyrna was a suffering church. And it was only 1 of 2 churches that did not receive a rebuke or warning in the letters to 7 church in the book of Revelation.

In the 3rd century BC Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, rebuilt Smyrna as a new Hellenistic city in the Greek empire. The city was later established as a Roman commercial center, and had a port on the Aegean Sea. It was also located on a major trade route. The city was considered one of the most beautiful cities in Asia Minor, and had many beautiful buildings and impressive architecture. Scholars believe the city had a population of approximately 100,000 in the time of the apostles Paul and John. Smyrna is now known as Izmir in modern day Turkey.

The Spiritual Makeup of Smyrna

Like Ephesus, there was considerable pagan worship and idolatry. There were several pagan temples of false gods such as Apollo, Aphrodite, Cybelle, and Zeus located in Smyrna. Being a part of the Roman Empire, there was considerable pressure and expectation to worship the Roman emperor. The emperor of the Roman Empire was considered to be a god, and you would be expected to worship and publicly declare your worship & loyalty to the emperor. At the time of the letter to Smyrna, Domitian was the Caesar, or Roman emperor. There was an altar to Caesar there, and you had to worship him and burn incense to him once a year. Then you would be given a certificate to show that you complied. If you chose not to, you would be suffer the consequences and even severe punishment. One of the consequences was that it would be very difficult to get employment, and you would suffer financially. Under Domitian’s rule, the church of Smyrna suffered greatly.

There was also a large contingent of Jews in Smyrna. These were the same type of Jews that killed Jesus, and that persecuted the early church in Acts. They were very obstinate and opposed to The Way, and they joined with the Romans to persecute the leaders and the people in the church of Smyrna. In fact, the bishop or pastor of the church, Polycarp, was burned to death for not denying Jesus and not bowing down and worhsiping Caesar.

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

Background & History of the Church in Smyrna

Although there is no record of the official start of the church in Smyrna in the Bible, Paul most likely played an important role in the founding of the church. When Paul visited Ephesus on his third missionary journey in Acts 19 he stayed in there for approximately 3 years.

Paul and the disciples/Christ followers of the church of Ephesus started to preach the Gospel daily at the school or lecture hall of Tyrannus. This was a place where ideas and philosophies and beliefs were publicly discussed. They continually shared the Gospel for 2 years in Ephesus, until all the people in Asia Minor heard the Gospel. This is most likely when the Gospel spread to Smyrna, which was located in Asia Minor only 35 miles from Ephesus. And the church in Smyrna was most likely founded after many in Asia Minor were reached with the Gospel.

“So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” – Acts 19:9-10

We know that the church of Smyrna suffered a great deal. Early in the letter Jesus sent to this church He mentions ” I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” in Revelation 2:9

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

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Letter to the Church in Smyrna

Here is the letter to the church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11:

“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. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about 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 life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.” – Revelation 2:8-11

The letter to the church of Smyrna begins with a partial description of Jesus as John saw him in Revelation 1. Jesus is called the First and the Last in Revelation 2:8. God called Himself the First and the Last various times in the Old Testament, including in Isaiah 41:4, 43:10, 44:6 and 48:12.

“This is what the Lord says – Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.” – Isaiah 44:6

Also in the early part of the letter , in Revelation 2:8, Jesus says that He was the one “who died and came to life again”. Jesus was the prefect sacrifice for our sins, who died on the cross to pay the price for our sins and take our punishment upon Himself. And He was buried and rose again on the 3rd day. This was written to offer encouragement to the suffering church in Smyrna. They would go through much suffering and persecution. And some of them would even be killed for their faith and devotion to Jesus. It is the first part of Jesus encouraging them to not fear a physical death.

The letter from Jesus to the church of Smyrna has several commendations. And it is only 1 of 2 letters to the 7 churches that has no rebukes, warnings, or calls to repentance.

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

Commendations from Jesus

“I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” – Revelation 2:9

Jesus says that He knows (and understands) the afflictions and poverty of the believers in the church of Smyrna. Jesus knows and understands what it is like to suffer afflictions and persecution. And He understands what it is like to be hated by unbelievers, who are really following Satan by rejecting Christ. Jesus tells all of his true followers that they will be persecuted for their faith and devotion to Him.

“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 10:22

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” – Matthew 24:9

And Jesus even knows understands what it is like to be killed for being faithful and doing the will of God. So He offers these faithful and pure and devoted followers of His some encouragement to keep going. And to stay faithful and persevere.

God Allows Persecution And Suffering

We are told in various places in God’s word the Bible that God allows suffering and difficulties for His church. And that He uses suffering, difficulties, and persecution to purify His people and church. The church of Smyrna is one such church that has suffered a great deal. And they will suffer even more, according to Jesus’ letter to them. The church of Smyrna is known as a suffering church. But it is also known as a pure, holy, and faithful church.

The small group of believers in Smyrna, in the midst of cultural pressures for worship of false gods and idolatry, as well as persecution from Jews and the Romans, did not reject or denounce Jesus. They continued to faithfully follow Him. They were purified and made holy (“separated” or “set apart”) by the afflictions and suffering.

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” – 2 Timothy 3:12

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined (“planned from the beginning” to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” – Romans 8:28-29

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5:3-4

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

More Suffering Is Coming

After the commendations Jesus turned to telling them what was soon coming for them. More suffering and persecution. But Jesus gives them encouragement to persevere and continue on until the end.

“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.” – Revelation 2:10

Jesus tells the church in Smyrna that more suffering and persecution is coming. And that some of them will be thrown into prison. Why did God allow this? Jesus says for them to be tested. To test their faithfulness.

During the reign of some of the more evil Caesars or Roman emperors, such as Domitian, Christians were severely persecuted for not worshiping Caesar. And the Jews were also persecuting the church. The faithful followers in the church of Smyrna were persecuted, jailed, and some even killed. Jesus tells them that the devil, through the Jews and the Romans, was going to cause more persecution and suffering for 10 days.

Jesus’ letter to the church in Smyrna was written approximately 96 AD. In approximately 155 AD the bishop or pastor of the church in Smyrna, Polycarp, was publicly burned to death for not worshiping Caesar and not renouncing Jesus. It was written that he was the 12th martyr in Smyrna. You can read more about the life and death of Polycarp in “The Martyrdom of Polycarp”, written by one of his disciples Irenaeus. There is also more written about the suffering of Christians in churches such as Smyrna in “Ecclesiastical History” by Eusebius.

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

Encouragement From Jesus

“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 life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.” – Revelation 2:8-11

Jesus starts out by telling the church in Smyrna not to be afraid that more persecution and suffering is coming. And He tells them to be faithful (to Him), even to he point of death. It appears that Jesus is telling them that the persecution and suffering will be severe enough that some of them will die for their faith. As we now now, Polycarp and others in Smyrna did die for their faithful devotion to Jesus. Also, there are many more faithful followers of Jesus in the early churches that died doing what Jesus told them to do – all of the Apostles except John died. Stephen died. Paul died.

Paul knew a lot about persecution and suffering. And he faithfully persevered and kept following Jesus, and stayed faithful and devoted to Him.

“persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.” – 2 Timothy 3:11

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined (“planned from the beginning”) to be conformed to the image of his Son…” – Romans 8:28-29

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:35-39

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

Jesus’ Call To Be Faithful

Jesus in His letter to the church of Smyrna continues to say that “if they will be faithful, even to the point of death, He will give them life as your victor’s crown.” Jesus says that if they will be faithful, even to the point of death, that He will give them the crown of life. The crown of life is eternal life with God in His eternal kingdom. Jesus also adds at the end of the letter that ” The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.”

The first death is physical death. Thanks to the sins of Adam and Eve all mankind will go through the first death. All will die a physical death.

The second death is the one people need to be concerned about. The second death is a spiritual or eternal death. The second death is also depicted by the word “perish” in the Bible. Such as in 2 Peter 3:9: “God does not want anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”

The second death is eternal separation from God, under the eternal punishment for sins. As depicted in Revelation 20 all will be judged by Jesus, and those that have not repented, and placed their faith in Jesus, and faithfully and truly followed Him will be “thrown into the lake of fire”. Which is where Satan and “the beast” (the Antichrist) and the “false prophet” will be thrown into in Revelation 20:10. The lake of fire is the second death.

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” – Revelation 20:11-15

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

Jesus’ Message To Us

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches…” – Revelation 2:11

“Whoever has ears…” means that this letter is also written to anyone who will read it. This means it is written to all believers as well. Jesus is saying be careful and listen to what I am saying. He ends every letter to the 7 churches in the book of Revelation this way.

There is something missing in many Christians and churches, especially in America. There may be many people that are church members, and the churches may have beautiful buildings and campuses, but something is missing. And they are even busy doing ministry things. But something is missing.

Because of the prosperity of America and because of materialism, most churches have become weak and ineffective. People have left their first love, as well as their passion for the lost. American Christians do not really know much about persecution and suffering. Perhaps some know about difficulties in their lives, or sickness. But not many suffer because of their faith. There is not persecution against the church in America, yet, especially when compared to the suffering and persecution the early church in Acts went through. Or what the church in Smyrna went through. Or compared to what true followers of Jesus are going through in many other places in today’s world, such as in the Middle East, or parts of Africa or Asia…

As a result of our prosperity and materialism, and our desire to always be comfortable, the church in America is not a purified, holy and set apart church. Nor is it passionately devoted to Jesus, no matter the cost. Nor is it passionately devoted to doing the “first importance” things Jesus mentioned in Matthew 6:33 – “seek first for God’s kingdom (building God’s kingdom by reaching the lost and making disciples) and for His righteousness” (seek first to have a right & close relationship and fellowship with Him).

May God touch and change our hearts, so that we will be passionately devoted and faithful to Him. So that we will shine brightly in a dark world. And so that our lives will be a pleasing aroma to Him, and bringing much glory and honor to His name.

Being A Good Church Member vs Being A True Disciple of Jesus

In our more than 20 years of missions ministry we have helped &/or preach in &/or trained more than 250 churches in 33 countries. And we have visited many more churches, and also have met with many more church leaders and pastors. In the US we have tried to help 58 churches, offering preaching, training, and help to reach the lost and make disciples. We never ask for support or offering, we only offer help. Only 3 have had any interest in receiving help in these “first importance” things.

There is a noticeable lack of “first love” passion for Jesus in many church leaders today. And there is a noticeable lack of passion in the leaders and in many people in churches today for the “first importance” things of taking the Gospel out to the lost and making true disciples of Jesus. Most of the churches in America and other places have replaced evangelism with social assistance and other ministry events and projects.

And most churches have replaced teaching believers how to be a true & passionate follower and disciple of Jesus with teaching people how to be a good church member. There is a big difference between being a good church member and being a true and passionate follower/disciple of Jesus. A good church member is taught that he or she needs to attend the worship service to worship God, and attend the Bible study on Wednesday night and a small group if they have them. And they need to serve somewhere in the church, and also give to the church.

So many people in churches end up having a “What a good Christian or church member should do list”. What is interesting (and sad) is to see that most churches do not teach the “First Importance” things anymore. Which again are having Jesus as your First Love and having close fellowship with Him. And our Kingdom building mission of 1) taking the Gospel everywhere and reaching the lost, and 2) teaching believers how to be passionate and true disciples/followers of Jesus.

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Salvation: The Requirements for True Salvation