We are in Revelation 2:8-11 and the focus is on the letter to the second church in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).

Revelation is the revealing of Jesus and God’s plan for everything!

Remember, Revelation was written by John while in exile on the island of Patmos and Rev. 2 and 3 includes the letters to seven Churches in Asia.

These 7 were on a major road that was on a circular route. A letter carrier would leave Patmos and could go in the exact order as letter dictated, landing in

Ephesus > Smyrna > Pergamum > Thyatira > Sardis > Philadelphia > Laodicea

Izmir – 3rd largest city in modern-day Turkey is built on the site of ancient Smyrna.

Smyrna – comes from myrrh. A spice we all remember from Matthew as a gift from the Wise Men to Jesus. Myrrh smells wonderful but only after it is crushed.

The church in Smyrna was persecuted, poor, and afflicted, but like myrrh, when the church is crushed something wonderful was revealed, JESUS.

Smyrna – beautiful seaport (Aegean Sea) city 35 miles N of Ephesus.

Nicknames: Port of Asia. Ornament of Asia. Flower of Asia. Crown of Asia.

Aristides “The wind blows through every part of the city, and makes it as fresh as a grove of trees.

In AD 23 as a reward for loyalty, Smyrna beat out 11 other cities for the right to build the 1st temple to honor Tiberias Caesar (AD 14-37). This along with the influential Jewish population was the ingredient for a hostile environment for the believers there in Smyrna.

Smyrna was also famous for the place of execution of Polycarp (Feb 23 AD 155) who was bishop of the church of Smyrna and knew John (Irenaeus AD 130-200 confirmed Polycarp knew John).

8 “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: Thus says the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life: 9 I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

11 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death. Revelation 2:8-11 CSB

The One who conquered death knows their suffering.

Jesus shares 3 things He knows what the believers are in the midst of life in Smyrna:

1) Affliction, 2) Poverty, 3) Slander

Don't fear what is to come. Be faithful.

The second death will not harm the followers of Christ.

The life worth dying for and the life worth living for!

Be Faithful to the Point of Death.

Application: Pray for the persecuted church. Check out Fox's Book of Martyrs.

Visit persecution.com and pray for those who are suffering.