Rev. Johnson V.
28th March 2010

The second church that God addresses in the Book of Revelations chapter 2 and verses 8 to 11 is the church of Smyrna.  The city of Smyrna was a port city that had two hostile groups of people – the first was a Jewish population that strongly opposed Christianity and the other was a non-Jewish population that was loyal to Rome ad supported worship of the emperor. In the middle of both these groups, was the church. And it is to this church, battered by persecution and painful trials, that God writes and says “I am the first and the last”.

Normally a person is either first or last, but never both. But God is above all limitations. He created time, distance, speed and everything else that exists. What an assurance we have, for even when we go through struggle and trials, we can rejoice in the fact that our God is above all. He will take our mistakes and painful situations and turn it into a beautiful masterpiece.

Our God also says to the church in Smyrna, “I was dead and now live for evermore”. Most of us can claim that we were born on a particular day, and we will definitely die on a particular day. Only He who was, who is and is to come, can say that He was dead, was resurrected and now lives forevermore.

Our God tells the church of Smyrna:-

• I know your works (Revelations 2:9) –In Hebrews 4:13, the Bible says everything is visible to God and nothing is hidden. He knows our attitudes before our prayers and praise. We must remember that He responds to our cries for help, but He loves responding to faith in action.
• I know your poverty, yet you are rich (Revelations 2:9). God reminds the church that externally they may have had limited resources, yet internally they were rich. The Book of Job in the Bible (Job 1:16 onwards), tells us how Job, who was blessed in every way, lost everything he owned in just a few moments. Inspite of suffering sudden losses in every area of his life, he stood up and worshipped God saying, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the Lord”. Even in poverty, your attitude will determine your altitude. If I can change myself inwardly, God can change me externally.
• I know your tribulations (Revelations 2:9) – We have an incorrect concept that once we come to God, everything will be smooth sailing. On the contrary, the Bible tells us in Acts 14:22 that with much tribulation, we will enter the Kingdom of God. Tribulations will draw us closer to our Maker. Exams are meant to promote you, rather than fail you. If He gives us the test, He will also give us the grace to overcome. 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that all who want to live godly lives, will suffer persecution.
• I know the blasphemy…they are from the church of satan (Revelations 2:9) - There are some people who could be part of the church but who are actually from the church of satan. When a person’s heart is set on doing wrong, God will not stop you, but will rather allow you to continue in the way that you have selected. Jude 11 gives the examples of Cain, Balaam and Korah, who were part of the assembly of God, but had made up their minds to sin against Him.
• …Suffer persecution for ten days (Revelations 2:10)– God told the church that they would be persecuted for a specific period of time. All persecution has an expiry date, some may last a moment, others many years or even a lifetime. But God’s truth is that one day, if we can hold onto His promise, we will outlast the persecution or problem.
• Second death (Revelations 2:11) – God promises the church that they would not suffer the second death, which is spiritual death in hell.

In verse 10 God encourages the church by saying “Fear none”. We have nothing to fear because our God is powerful. When we are fearful about our circumstances (Judges 6:10), the devil thrives. Instead we must stand on His faithful Word and we will overcome.