Listen to last week’s sermon The Letter to the Church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11)

The Letters of Revelation and Their Relevance Today

We are continuing our journey through the series, “The 7 Letters to the 7 Churches Unveiled,” from the Book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3. These letters, dictated by Jesus to the Apostle John and delivered to 7 real churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey), are not just ancient history—they carry living messages for churches and believers in every generation, including us today. Last week, we looked at Ephesus—busy and outwardly successful, but rebuked for losing its first love. Today, we focus on Smyrna, a church with a very different story.

Read Revelation 2:8-11

No Rebuke. Why Did Jesus Only Encourage Smyrna?

Among the seven churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia alone received no criticism from Jesus. Why? Not because they were perfect, but probably because the refining fires of persecution and suffering had purified them. Their hardships drew them closer to Christ, and in the midst of trials, their faith shone.

Jesus then introduces Himself as “the First and the Last, who was dead and came to life.” This is no ordinary greeting. It’s a divine claim—language reserved for God alone in the Old Testament (see Isaiah 44:6). Jesus is declaring His eternal, sovereign identity, the One who conquered death and lives forever.

Application:
When you’re surrounded by hopelessness or feel your situation is “dead,” remember:
Jesus is the First and the Last. He was dead, but now alive. He knows your suffering because He’s walked that road and conquered it.

“I Know Your Works, Tribulation, and Poverty (But You Are Rich)”

Jesus deeply sees and understands:

• Their works: Nothing we do for God goes unnoticed, whether public or private.
• Their tribulation: The Greek word means anguish, pressure, persecution, trouble.
• Their poverty: Material lack, often from being ostracized for refusing to worship the emperor.

But Jesus says: “You are rich!” According to the world, they were poor. But in God’s eyes, their faith, endurance, and love made them spiritually wealthy.

Illustration:
Jesus’ parable of the rich fool (Luke 12) contrasts worldly riches with being “rich toward God.” The world’s standards mean nothing if we lack spiritual riches.

Application:
You may not have much by worldly standards, but if you are faithful to Jesus, you are rich in God’s economy.

Why Was Smyrna Persecuted?

Smyrna was a bustling, wealthy port city, proud of its loyalty to Rome. Emperor worship was mandatory; refusing to burn incense to Caesar could mean loss of job, status, or even your life.

Just as in some countries today, where public loyalty to the state can conflict with Christian conviction, so it was in Smyrna. Saying “Jesus is Lord” instead of “Caesar is Lord” was an act of defiance.

What is Persecution?

Not all hardship is persecution. True persecution comes because of your faithfulness to Jesus—not from bad choices or personality conflicts.

The Spirit of Antichrist: Then and Now

Revelation speaks of a coming Antichrist, but also of many antichrists already present (1 John 2:18). The Roman emperors were seen by many early Christians as antichrists, fiercely opposing the church. Every generation has its antichrists—those who oppose Christ and His people.

Social and Economic Cost: Poverty and Exclusion

Refusing emperor worship meant exclusion from trade, jobs, and society. Just as some Christians today lose livelihoods or relationships for their faith, the believers in Smyrna paid a high price.Jesus’ Encouragement:
“I know your poverty, but you are rich.”
God’s value system is radically different from the world’s

What was The Synagogue of Satan?

Jesus speaks of those who “say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” This is not an ethnic slur, but a spiritual diagnosis:
Anyone, Jew or Gentile, who opposes Christ’s work is aligning with the enemy.

Application:
Sometimes, opposition comes even from religious people. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual evil (Ephesians 6:12).

Coming Suffering: “Do Not Fear What You Are About to Suffer”

The message gets harder: Jesus warns that more suffering is coming. Some will be imprisoned. The devil is behind the persecution, not God.

• Testing: These trials are tests of faith and character.
• Limited Duration: “Ten days”—whether literal or symbolic, the suffering is limited by God’s sovereignty.

As Adrian Rogers put it:
“Your trial may be ten days or ten years, but it’s always bounded by God’s sovereignty.”

The Devil’s Tactics: Compromise, Deception, and Persecution

In the seven letters, three main enemy strategies appear:

1. Compromise: Moral failure, losing zeal, becoming lukewarm.
2. Deception: False teaching and doctrine.
3. Persecution: Trying to silence or destroy the faithful.

If the devil can’t tempt you into sin, he’ll try to silence you through suffering or fear.

The Call to Faithfulness: “Be Faithful Unto Death”

Jesus’ call is not for comfort, but for faithfulness—even to death.
The reward?
“I will give you the crown of life.”This is not a literal crown, but the promise of eternal life, victorious over the “second death” (eternal separation from God).

Polycarp: A Hero of Faith from Smyrna

Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna and disciple of John, was martyred decades later. When told to deny Christ and say “Caesar is Lord,” he replied:
“Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He has never done me wrong. How can I deny my King now?” He faced the flames with peace, knowing his true life was safe in Christ.

Watch the sermon here :