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Seven Churches-Asia Minor Map Smyrna had the closest port to Europe (Athens, Greece). Smyrna derives its name from Myrrh. Myrrh was an important fragrance and substance in the ancient. This city once came to prominence in 9th Century , then it was destroyed in 600 BC by the Lydian King of Sardis. Then Alexander the Great brought it back to prominence again around 349B.C

Church of Smyrna The Agora This 2nd century AD agora, midway between the acropolis and the harbor

Myrrh Myrrh was used for burial ceremonies. It was a great substance used in preserving corpses. The Egyptians really loved Myrrh. Myrrh was Smyrna’s main export and this made Smyrna extremely prosperous.

Polycarp Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna and he was one of the disciples of John. He was martyred in Smyrna for denying to burn incense to the emperor of Rome as God. When refused to swear allegiance to the emperor.

Verse by Verse Verse 8-“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again”. This letter also starts by establishing Jesus powers as the first(once dead) and the last (now alive) as he stated in Revelations 1:17-18. With a church that was facing poverty, pain, persecution and death in the present and in the coming years, Jesus reminds them and us of his resurrection power-”Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die”-John 11:25 .

Verse by Verse Verse 9-“ I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” No matter what we are might be going through, Jesus knows our predicaments . This church economically/materially & socially disenfranchised (poverty) even-though Smyrna was an extremely prosperous city. But Jesus declares that they are spiritually rich. The synagogue of Satan was referring to Jewish synagogue where Christ was denied and Christians were opposed.

Verse by Verse Verse 9 conti…-“ I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” This synagogue slander the believers of Smyrna with false accusations. They said Christians engaged in sexual orgies, that Christians engaged in cannibalism (because they said they were literally eating human flesh and blood to celebrate communion) , that Christians were anti-family (because they called each other brother and sister) This slander made them both subjects of persecution among Jews and Romans.

Verse by Verse Verse 10-“ Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” Jesus tells them and us not to be afraid to suffer. Suffering/death releases a power that is on par with the blood of Jesus.-Revelations 12:11NIV The ten days reference to persecution speaks to the fact that persecution and suffering will not be forever. Jesus admonishes this church to be faithful in the face of death.-” endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”-2 Timothy 2:3 KJV

Verse by Verse Verse 10 conti…-“ Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” There is always a reward for those we endure the process of God- 1 Corinthians 9:25. This church was rewarded with the crown of life. This is the ultimate reward for every believer. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.-James 1:12

Verse by Verse Verse 11-“  Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.” Jesus ultimately tells the church in Smyrna that no matter how imminent that death might be to them that they will not be hurt by ultimate death.-Revelation 20:6, 14 & Revelation 21:8

Strength of the Church They were spiritually rich They knew how to endure affliction and poverty They were not afraid to suffer.

Weakness of the Church They had no glaring weakness

Correction from Jesus Jesus tells them not to be afraid of suffering. Jesus tells to be faithful.

Rewards from Jesus Jesus tells them that they will receive the crown of life Jesus tells them they will not suffer the second death.