The Lord speaks about the church of Smyrna in this chapter when we read from verses 8-11. This church is one of the seven churches recorded in the book of revelation. This church has been appreciated by the Lord. The church stands as a powerful example of faithfulness amidst of suffering. In general, this church is termed as the 'persecuted church'. The message of Jesus offers hope to the people and enables them to stand firm during trials. Let us meditate upon the features of this church and the lessons learnt thereof.

 

The identity of Christ

 

Revelation 2:8 '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.'

 

In this passage the Lord declares who he is and what he is to encourage his children. He motivates them to stand firm against all kinds of oppositions and succeed with the confidence of Christ in us. Like how we have Aadhar id card for all the Indian citizens which earns respect and identity. Same way, we also must be seen as those who have realized that we bear the identity of Christ Jesus. Whether we realize this identity or not, Satan is well aware of this fact. The powerful identity of Jesus should be found in our lives. We are not an ordinary people but with the people who has the identity of Christ. The Lord Jesus reminds the church of Smyrna that is an eternal God, sovereign God, the alpha and Omega. If the Lord starts something in our lives, he is faithful enough to finish them. The Lord has kept everything in his hands. The Lord controls our past, present and the future. The Lord who controls our lives is the true protector. Our economy our work our family and all the aspects of our life is in the hands of the Lord. The Lord Jesus who is the conqueror of death dwells in us. When we face trials, we must remember that Jesus had already conquered the greatest enemy which is the death itself. Referencing his resurrection, Jesus encourages the Smyrnans to face persecutions and even death with the assurance of eternal life. In each and every single struggle we go through in our lives, the Lord is with us. We need to evaluate ourselves to know if we have the identity of Christ. 

 

Commendation of faithfulness

 

Revelation 2:9 '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.'

 

The church of Smyrna is not following Christ during normal situation. They were facing severe persecutions, economical crisis and faced slander. It was a situation where amidst of all their problems they stood for Christ. They struggled in Christ. Despite their material poverty, they were spiritually rich because of their faith and reliance on God. It is true that a Christian life is difficult. We all will face struggles and persecutions. But the Lord wants his children to stand against them and prevail them..

 

Even in our lives, we might face many defamations. When we do only good things to people, they will turn out repaying evil things to us. In the verse, when we read 'and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not' this refers to the slander they faced from their own community. This highlights the external pressures and betrayal the church of Smyrna faced from their own community. All the trails and reproaches we face in our lives, we can understand our faith will be refined. We can be poor in this world but not in the sight of God. True riches are not found in wealth or worldly possessions but in our relationship with Christ Jesus. Our trials will refine our faith and make us spiritual rich. A rock in the mountain is not valued unless it rolls away and falls as a pebble in the river. Our struggles will refine our faith. Let us not get angry on people who trouble us. The Lord has permitted them to beautify us. May the Lord help us prevail from all the trials and tribulations. 

 

Encouragement in Suffering

 

Revelation 2:10 '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.'

 

The Lord keeps observing each and every move of this Church. The Lord is seeing how they were persecuted and how will more they will suffer more. The Lord comforts them like a father and said 'Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.' The same father who has the responsibility to reprove a child  also has the responsibility to comfort them. When we carefully, read the above passage we can learn a key take away. The Lord does not assure them that he will remove their suffering. But he said he will prepare them. Although Lord permits certain things in our life which we cannot get rid of, the Lord will prepare us to overcome them. There are certain things in our lives for which we pray a lot. However those sufferings cannot be removed how much more we pray. We have struggles in this world but we will receive the strength from the Lord to overcome that. 

 

Here the Lord clearly gives the church of Smyrna a time period of their tribulations. He speaks about the imprisonment lasting ten days which signifies a limited suffering period. The Lord who has everything in his hands, has time period for our struggles and trials. In the passage , the Lord asks them to be faithful until the end. Jesus promises them a crown of life as a reward for their perseverance. Even when we cannot see the end of our trials. we are called to trust the sovereignty of the Lord. When we make it a point to tolerate and remain faithful in our sufferings, we will receive the eternal reward from the Lord himself.

 

The Eternal Promise

 

Revelation 2:11 '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.'

 

The church of Smyrna which had the identity of Christ, which was commended for its faithfulness, which was encouraged in the sufferings, finally receives an eternal promise from the Lord. Jesus assures the Smyrnans that their faith will secure them eternal life and free them from judgement. The Lord promises that 'He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.' This is the doctrine of second death which is quite unfamiliar to many people. The 'first death' refers to the physical death which we all humans go through. We read about this in Genesis 3:19 & Romans 6:23 - where the entire mankind is impacted and punished due to the sin of Adam. Before the first death, a man is given an opportunity to accept Christ Jesus as the own saviour. During the coming of the Lord, people who accepted Christ will be in paradise and those who rejected Christ will be found in the bottomless pit. When the Lord judges his people in the white throne, he will punish people who rejected him and they will be cast into the lake of fire. Although that place is prepared for Satan, the people who rejected them goes to the same place. This is the second death which is the final eternal separation from God's presence which is reserved for those who reject salvation. 

 

When we endure the sufferings, persecutions in this world for Christ sake, there is no second death. We will share in his victory receiving eternal life in his presence. Our hope lies beyond this world. No matter what we endure, the promise of eternal life with Christ outweighs all earthly trials. 

 

Lessons from the Church of Smyrna

 

1.Faitfulness in Persecution - The church of Smyrna teaches us how to remain steadfast in our faith even when facing trails and opposition.

2.Spiritual Riches over material wealth - True wealth lies in our relationship with God not in worldly possessions or status.

3.Trust in God's sovereignty - Jesus is the first and the last. He is in control of every season of our lives.

4.Hope of Eternal life - The promise of the 'crown of life' reminds us that suffering for Christ is never in vain.

 

The church of Smyrna was a church of steadfast faith and enduing hope. The Lord will help us to live with a hope that the Lord Jesus is walking along with me and amidst of all my struggles. The Lord God has reserved an eternal reward for all those who remain faithful. Revelation 2:10 '..Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.' Amen.