Smyrna: Its Believers' Characteristics
The Persecuted Church
The city of Smyrna was about twenty-five miles north of Ephesus. It was nicknamed "Port of Asia" because it was an excellent harbor on the Aegean Sea. The church in this city struggled against two hostile forces: a Jewish population strongly opposed to Believers of the Lord Jesus, and a non-Jewish population that was loyal to Rome and supported emperor worship. Persecution and suffering were inevitable in an environment like this. “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. “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.”’ Remember, the Lord God doesn't restore people on the group plan, but He saves them individually.
For those who are not aware, Satan is the author of persecution, not God. Satan, meaning the devil, will cause citizens of the Kingdom (believers) to be thrown into prison and even killed. But believers need not to fear death, because it will only result in their receiving a crown of life. The devil may harm their physical body, but he can not do them any spiritual harm. Remember, we are the temple where the Holy Spirit resides. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? The synagogue of Satan, mentioned in Revelation 2, are those people who served the devil.
You may have heard of some of the groups such as the "black Jews" or "black Israelites". Remember, the Lord God never specified the color of their skin when referring to the children of promise. God does not divide His believers. Do not be deceived. "Ten days" is referring to the length of time. Even though persecution would be intense, it would be relatively short. It will have a definite beginning and end, and the Lord God would remain in complete control. Praise Him!
In today's "me gospel" we don't want to believe that we will suffer pain, persecution or lack. But pain is a part of life as we know it, but it is temporary. It is never easy to suffer, no matter what the cause; but again, it is temporary. The Lord Jesus commended the church at Smyrna for its faith in suffering. He then encouraged the believers that they need not fear the future if they remain faithful to Him. If you are experiencing difficult times as a Kingdom citizen, don't allow them to turn you away from our Lord and King. Instead, allow them to draw you toward your greater purpose and ascent. Trust the Lord Jesus and remember your heavenly reward. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
Stand on His promises. Those of us who live according to the King's Word will suffer persecution. There is no getting around it. But you will never truly know how strong your foundation is until it is put to the test.
Revelation 2:8-11 I Corinthians 6:18-19 Revelation 22:12-15
~~W.R. Luchie
The city of Smyrna was about twenty-five miles north of Ephesus. It was nicknamed "Port of Asia" because it was an excellent harbor on the Aegean Sea. The church in this city struggled against two hostile forces: a Jewish population strongly opposed to Believers of the Lord Jesus, and a non-Jewish population that was loyal to Rome and supported emperor worship. Persecution and suffering were inevitable in an environment like this. “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. “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.”’ Remember, the Lord God doesn't restore people on the group plan, but He saves them individually.
For those who are not aware, Satan is the author of persecution, not God. Satan, meaning the devil, will cause citizens of the Kingdom (believers) to be thrown into prison and even killed. But believers need not to fear death, because it will only result in their receiving a crown of life. The devil may harm their physical body, but he can not do them any spiritual harm. Remember, we are the temple where the Holy Spirit resides. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? The synagogue of Satan, mentioned in Revelation 2, are those people who served the devil.
You may have heard of some of the groups such as the "black Jews" or "black Israelites". Remember, the Lord God never specified the color of their skin when referring to the children of promise. God does not divide His believers. Do not be deceived. "Ten days" is referring to the length of time. Even though persecution would be intense, it would be relatively short. It will have a definite beginning and end, and the Lord God would remain in complete control. Praise Him!
In today's "me gospel" we don't want to believe that we will suffer pain, persecution or lack. But pain is a part of life as we know it, but it is temporary. It is never easy to suffer, no matter what the cause; but again, it is temporary. The Lord Jesus commended the church at Smyrna for its faith in suffering. He then encouraged the believers that they need not fear the future if they remain faithful to Him. If you are experiencing difficult times as a Kingdom citizen, don't allow them to turn you away from our Lord and King. Instead, allow them to draw you toward your greater purpose and ascent. Trust the Lord Jesus and remember your heavenly reward. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
Stand on His promises. Those of us who live according to the King's Word will suffer persecution. There is no getting around it. But you will never truly know how strong your foundation is until it is put to the test.
Revelation 2:8-11 I Corinthians 6:18-19 Revelation 22:12-15
~~W.R. Luchie
