What do we know about the church in Smyrna?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The church in Smyrna was one of only two churches in Revelation that received no rebuke from Jesus but instead was praised for remaining faithful through severe persecution, poverty, and slander (Revelation 2:8–11). Jesus introduced Himself as the One “who died and came to life” (Revelation 2:8), reminding suffering believers that death would not have the final word because He had already conquered the grave (1 Corinthians 15:54–57). Though materially poor because of persecution from the “synagogue of Satan,” Jesus declared the Smyrnan believers spiritually rich in His sight (Revelation 2:9). Yet rather than promising escape from suffering, Jesus warned them that even more imprisonment, tribulation, and martyrdom were still coming. Therefore, He called them to remain faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10). At the same time, He also promised them the “crown of life” and assured them that they would never be harmed by the “second death,” God’s eternal judgment on sinners, because of their salvation (Revelation 2:11; Revelation 20:14–15). The later martyrdom of Polycarp showed that the persecution against this church continued long after Revelation was written, proving the depth of their faithfulness to Christ. This church is a reminder to us that being successful or having a good life now does not necessarily mean we are being faithful or that Jesus is pleased with us. Rather, it teaches us that we must be prepared to be faithful regardless of our situation, even if it brings great poverty, imprisonment, and even death!

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The church in Smyrna is not mentioned in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The church in Smyrna is one of seven churches to which Jesus wrote letters (Revelation 2–3). This letter (Revelation 2:8–11) is the shortest and paints a vivid picture of a church under severe attack.
• The letter to Smyrna and the letter to Philadelphia are the only ones without rebuke. The letter to Smyrna opens with the comforting thought that these are “the words of the first and the last, who died and came to life” (Revelation 2:8). Jesus begins with that statement because He is about to tell the congregation at Smyrna of their impending deaths (Revelation 2:10). As the one who conquered death (1 Corinthians 15:54–57), Jesus promises them that they “will not be hurt by the second death” (Revelation 2:11b). The “second death” refers to God’s eternal judgment against sinners (Revelation 20:14–15). These believers at Smyrna, though they would die, were able to look forward to an eternity alive again with Jesus.
• From this letter, we can also glean that they were poor. It seems likely that poverty had come as the result of slander from the “synagogue of Satan,” Jews who were persecuting them. Conversely, although they were physically poor, Jesus commended them for their spiritual wealth (Revelation 2:9).
• Jesus provides details not found in other letters: “the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation” (Revelation 2:10b). The natural reading of this text is that there was an impending period of tribulation coming, perhaps shortly after reading this letter. However, some Christian scholars view this differently, as a general warning for the church as a whole. Regardless, based on the rest of this letter, it’s clear that the church of Smyrna was on the front lines of persecution.
• Roughly 60 to 70 years later, in AD 155–167, Polycarp, a disciple of the apostle John and bishop of Smyrna, would be martyred by being burned at the stake because he would not deny Jesus. This shows that their persecution did not end after Jesus’ letter. That is the last historical record we have for that church.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

In the short letter to the church of Smyrna, Jesus comforted them by telling them He knows what is happening and to trust in who He is as the one “who died and came to life” (Revelation 2:8). They were apparently extremely faithful and suffering because of that faithfulness. They were hated by the “synagogue of Satan,” and Jesus told them that they were about to be thrown into prison, even implying that some would be martyred.

What a contrary message this is to some today who teach that following Jesus means great success in this life. Quite the contrary! While on Earth, Jesus told His disciples that suffering was to be expected because the world hates Him and will also hate His followers (John 15:18–20). Interestingly, in Jesus’ other letters to the churches, He did not refer to the same intensity of hostility, not even when writing to Philadelphia, which was equally faithful.

So, being faithful doesn’t always mean martyrdom. However, even in Western cultures where the level of overt hatred towards Christianity is still more verbal hostility than state-sponsored death threats, the world and its anti-God desires are still pressing in, trying to overtake the church by forcing it to conform to itself.

The church in Smyrna shows that being faithful is not only for times when life is easy. Faithfulness is a calling even to death. Jesus taught such faithfulness, saying that His followers were to count the cost before following Him (Luke 14:27–28). The church in Smyrna was able to face its situation because it had counted that cost and was ready. Likewise, if you are a follower of Jesus, be resolved now to be faithful to the end. We never know when we might find ourselves reading the letter to Smyrna to find comfort in the face of our deaths!

UNDERSTAND

• The church in Smyrna was one of only two churches Jesus praised without rebuke, remaining faithful through persecution, poverty, prison, and even death.
• Jesus reminded them that He conquered death and promised eternal life to those who stay faithful to Him until the end.
• Rather than promising relief from suffering, Jesus warned of coming imprisonment and tribulation while calling the church to fearless faithfulness.

REFLECT

• How does the church in Smyrna challenge the way you think about faithfulness when following Jesus becomes difficult or costly?
• How does Jesus telling the believers at Smyrna that they were spiritually wealthy encourage or challenge you in the way you think of success?
• How does knowing that Jesus was fully aware of the Smyrnan church's suffering affect the way you bring your own suffering and fears before Him?

ENGAGE

• What does Jesus' choice to open His letter with a reminder of His own death and resurrection reveal about the theological foundation He intends believers to stand on?
• What does the contrast between Smyrna’s material poverty and spiritual wealth teach us about what matters to God?
• How should the example of Smyrna shape the way we seek to live wholeheartedly for Jesus even in the midst of hostility, pressure, or persecution?