The Letter to Smyrna

Smyrna was a seaport city about 35 miles north of Ephesus. It has been described as the most beautiful of the seven cities. Today it is called Izmir, Turkey. Scripture does not give us any information concerning the founding of this church, nor is it mentioned in the book of Acts. Presumably, this church was founded during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus.“The Greek word translated ‘Smyrna’ was used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) to translate the Hebrew word for myrrh, a resinous substance used as a perfume for the living () and the dead (). Its association with death perfectly pictures the suffering church at Smyrna. Like myrrh, produced by crushing a fragrant plant, the church at Smyrna, crushed by persecution, gave off a fragrant aroma of faithfulness to God.”

“The Greek word translated ‘Smyrna’ was used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) to translate the Hebrew word for myrrh, a resinous substance used as a perfume for the living () and the dead (). Its association with death perfectly pictures the suffering church at Smyrna. Like myrrh, produced by crushing a fragrant plant, the church at Smyrna, crushed by persecution, gave off a fragrant aroma of faithfulness to God.”

This was a message meant to encourage them in light of what they were facing presently and were about to face in the future. The church at Smyrna was to undergo some intense persecution and tribulation. Jesus wanted to encourage them to stand strong, even if it meant physical death.

Be encouraged as you study the message sent to this church. Ask God to strengthen your faith so that you can endure the suffering in your own life more victoriously.

King James Version Chapter 2

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Introduction: Out of the seven churches of Asia, our Lord had words of condemnation and complaint against every one, except this one. In His letter to the church at Smyrna there was nothing but commendation and encouragement. The church at Smyrna faced three things that brought them great sorrow; tribulation[which included the fear of death], poverty, and the “blasphemy”.

Many Christians were killed and tortured in Smyrna during this time. The church at Smyrna was under great persecution.

King James Version Chapter 2

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Concluding His message to the church of Smyrna, Jesus said, “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” (). Similar to His concluding words to Ephesus, Jesus again advises us to heed all of the messages given to the churches in order to receive eternal life.

This poem could have very well written about Polycarp. Polycarp was the Pastor at Smyrna until his death by the Romans and Jews. The proconsul gave to Polycarp the choice, If you will say ‘Caesar is Lord,’ you can have your life. But if you say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ it means death."

I saw the martyr at the stake,

The flames could not his courage shake

Nor death his soul appall.

I asked him whence his strength was given.

He looked triumphantly to heaven

Polycarp was one of the martyrs. Polycarp was the Pastor at Smyrna until his death by the Romans and Jews. The proconsul gave to Polycarp the choice, If you will say ‘Caesar is Lord,’ you can have your life. But if you say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ it means death."

And said, "Christ is all."

This poem could have very well written about Polycarp. Polycarp was the Pastor at Smyrna until his death by the Romans and Jews. The proconsul gave to Polycarp the choice, If you will say ‘Caesar is Lord,’ you can have your life. But if you say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ it means death."

Polycarp refused to say, "Caesar is Lord." They brought him to the stadium, the great hippodrome, and the proconsul urged him there, saying, "Swear and I will set thee at liberty. Reproach Christ." And Polycarp answered – this is one of the famous sayings and answers in all history – "Eighty and six years have I served Him. And He never did me harm. How then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?"

I found a poem that could have been written about him.

“Christ is All” Poem by W.A. Williams

I saw the martyr at the stake,

The flames could not his courage shake

Nor death his soul appall.

I asked him whence his strength was given.

Many Christians were killed and tortured in Smyrna during this time. The church at Smyrna was under great persecution.

He looked triumphantly to heaven

And said, "Christ is all."

*****As we look at these verses, we see that Jesus begins by saying who the letter is to and introducing Himself.....

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

I. “the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; “

A. He is saying that He is God in the Flesh and He suffered and died and rose to Life.

He knows what suffering is.

He died a terrible death on the cross for us.

2. The risen Christ has conquered the worst that life can do. He triumphed over pain, the cross, the devil, sin, and death. He defeated all the enemies and He offers victory and the conqueror’s crown.

3. No matter what experiences God’s people may have, Lord identifies with them.

No matter what experiences God’s people may have, their Lord identifies with them.

*****Jesus makes the church aware of who the letter is coming from. It comes from an “All Knowing God” giving assurance that He has not forgotten them and He is aware of what they are going thru....

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

II. Jesus knows:

**In verses 9-10.....

II. Jesus knows and gives assurance:

A. What they have done. [works]

1. Jesus knows their works. He also knows ours.

(KJV) 18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

B. What they are going thru.

2. Everything we do should be for our Lord.

(KJV) 3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

3. We were created for just that; works that glorify our Lord.

(KJV) 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(KJV) 3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

(KJV) 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

B. What they are going thru. [tribulation]

They were undergoing severe AFFLICTION.

C. Their situation in life.

2. They were having the life pressed out of them for one reason—because of their loyalty to Christ.

3. The “richness” of Smyrna’s powerful testimony—came out of the crushing pressure of its suffering.

C. Their situation in life.

fragrant spice—but to get the fragrance out—first this spice had to be crushed. Well—to me this illustrates the fact that the fragrance—or the “richness” of Smyrna’s powerful testimony—came out of the crushing pressure of its suffering.

C. Their situation in life, poverty, but rich in Christ. [poverty]

They were enduring extreme Poverty.

This word for poverty literally means BEGGARY. It means absolute and utter destitution. So people this poor were not getting by. They were starving. Many of them were homeless. The Greek word for “poverty” carries the idea of destitution. The Smyrna church endured extreme poverty. They were beggarly and destitute. This poverty may have been due to their stand for Christ. They lived in a prosperous city yet they were in abject poverty because they loved the Lord.

D. The slander they are dealing with. [blasphemy]

1. “So called Jews” Upstanding people of God.

(KJV) 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

E. But Jesus says they are rich.

2. You are either serving God totally or Satan totally. There is no in between.

(KJV) 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

(KJV) 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

E. But Jesus says they are rich.

1. The Smyrna church was poor in temporal things but rich in spiritual things.It is hard for us to realize total financial devastation.

It is hard for us to realize total financial devastation.

III. Jesus is Lord! He is all knowing and has our future in mind. He gives us eternal advise.

As J. Ralph Grant puts it,“The churches of the first century were marked by material poverty and spiritual power, while many of the churches of our day are marked by material wealth and spiritual weakness.”

2. Contrary to modern thinking, we can be rich without wealth. There is no price that we could pay for family time. No money is worth the riches we have in Christ. Paul counted his successes as a pile of manure.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

III. Jesus is Lord! He is all knowing and has our future in mind. He gives us eternal advise.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

God does not want us to depend on a monetary worldview. He wants our worldview to centre on our relationship to Christ. When we hold to this perspective, all suffering makes us strong. God designs all suffering for our blessing (). It makes us rich in our relationship to God, rich in the Word, rich in the promises of God. Nothing shakes a person like this. This is a different scale of values.III. Jesus is Lord! He is all knowing and has our future in mind. He gives us eternal advise.

And most of this came from the Jews—people who claimed to follow Jehovah but in reality were serving satan himself. III. Jesus is Lord! He is all knowing and has our future in mind. He gives us eternal advise.

III. Jesus is Lord! He is all knowing and has our future in mind. He gives us eternal advise.

3. God does not want us to depend on a monetary worldview. He wants our worldview to centre on our relationship to Christ. When we hold to this perspective, all suffering makes us strong. God designs all suffering for our blessing (). It makes us rich in our relationship to God, rich in the Word, rich in the promises of God. Nothing shakes a person like this. This is a different scale of values.

F. Have faith in God, fear nothing that will come in the future.

Suffering, jail time, ten days of tribulation is in their future.

10 days signifies a short time. It could also refer to the 10 periods of persecution the Christians had during this time.

G. Jesus also promises the crown of life.

1. The “crown of life” is the winner’s crown awarded at the annual athletic games. Smyrna was a key participant in the games, so this promise would be especially meaningful to believers living there. In Smyrna, the reward for faithful municipal service was a laurel crown – seen depicted on their coin.

2. The Lord reinforced the promise given by James () and assured His people that there was nothing to fear. Because they had trusted Him, they were overcomers—victors in the race of faith ()—and, as overcomers, they had nothing to fear.

III. Jesus is Lord! He is all knowing and has our future in mind. He gives us eternal advise.

2. The Lord reinforced the promise given by James () and assured His people that there was nothing to fear. Because they had trusted Him, they were overcomers—victors in the race of faith ()—and, as overcomers, they had nothing to fear.

The “crown of life” is the winner’s crown awarded at the annual athletic games. Smyrna was a key participant in the games, so this promise would be especially meaningful to believers living there. The Lord reinforced the promise given by James () and assured His people that there was nothing to fear. Because they had trusted Him, they were overcomers—victors in the race of faith ()—and, as overcomers, they had nothing to fear.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

III. Jesus is Lord! He is all knowing and has our future in mind. He gives us eternal advise.

***** Jesus knows about suffering, He knows all that His children are going thru, He is always with us and He never leaves. We also know that.....

a. Diadema – the king’s crown()

b. Stephanos refers to three things

i. The laurel wreath of the victor at the games

ii. The festal crown worn at weddings, other happy occasions

iii. In Smyrna, the reward for faithful municipal service was a laurel crown – seen depicted on their coin.

III. Jesus is Lord! He is all knowing and has our future in mind. He gives us eternal advise and assurance for the future.

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

A. We are to take serious heed to what Jesus is saying. He ended all the letters to all the churches with;

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; “

1. The promise to the overcomer is that he shall not be hurt by the second death. The second death is eternal separation from God in the lake of fire.

1. Let us hearken, and listen with attention to what is said by the Spirit, in what goes before, and follows after, in this epistle, designed for the use of all the churches; And us also.

1. The promise to the overcomer is that he shall not be hurt by the second death. The second death is eternal separation from God in the lake of fire.

2. The promise to the overcomer is that he shall not be hurt by the second death. The second death is eternal separation from God in the lake of fire.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Believers may face physical death, but because they have had a second birth (), no believer will ever face the second death (, ; ; ).

3. Believers may face physical death, but because they have had a second birth ;

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

5. He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.no believer will ever face the second death (, ; ; ).

3. No believer will ever face the second death.

a. Diadema – the king’s crown()

c. Man of the world lives to die – man of Christ dies to live

b. Stephanos refers to three things

i. The laurel wreath of the victor at the games

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

ii. The festal crown worn at weddings, other happy occasions

iii. In Smyrna, the reward for faithful municipal service was a laurel crown – seen depicted on their coins

5. He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death

*****People of the world live to die – People of Christ die to live.....

a. The wholesale grocer

b. Poem, "Ah, oh, that man lastâ€¦"

c. Man of the world lives to die – man of Christ dies to live

Conclusion: This advice to Smyrna remains valid for us. We, too, must remain faithful in spite of tribulation or poverty. To remain faithful to God, we, like the people of God in Smyrna in the early centuries, will need to resist pressure to reject the faith.

Conclusion: This advice to Smyrna remains valid for us. We, too, must remain faithful in spite of tribulation or poverty. To remain faithful to God, we, like the people of God in Smyrna in the early centuries, will need to resist pressure to reject “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” ().

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Put our trust and faith in our Savior Jesus Christ no matter what happens to us. God is in CONTROL!