Revelation Chapter Two

Verse 8: And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:

            The church at Smyrna located in Smyrna which was a proud and beautiful Asian city (modern Izmir) closely aligned with Rome and eager to meet its demands for emperor worship.  This plus a large and actively hostile Jewish population made it extremely difficult to live there as a Christian.

Polycarp, the most famous of the early Christian martyrs, was Bishop of the church at Smyrna.

Verse : I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of
Satan.

I know your tribulation and your poverty  Jews thought that if you were not well off financially that you were cursed of God but Jesus says that even though they may be poor by the world’s standard they were RICH!

            Who say they are Jews but are of the synagogue of Satan. (The Synagogue was what they called the Jewish church)

[Romans 2:28-29 describe people who claim to be something but their actions prove different.  Just like some people claim to be Christians but their actions do not demonstrate the Christian Spirit. Or in other words we don’t see the fruit of the Spirit.  Jesus said you will know a tree by its fruit. 

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. (29) But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the spirit, not by the letter: and his praise is not from men, but from God.] It is not the religious front people put on when they go to church on Sunday but a real Christian is the same on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday also.  Jesus is saying, you can call yourself anything you want to but that is not going to make it true.  Your life, actions and spirit will tell whether you are a true Christian or not.  The enemy has stumbled many a baby believer by what they see in the so-called Christians, what the church needs today instead of how many numbers of people we can say come to church, they need some real followers of Jesus Christ who have committed their lives to following Him and being like Him, then we will see the great revival we are all looking for.

[Satan is Hebrew for “accuser”]

Verse 10 – devil – Greek diabolos, meaning “accuser”.

Verse 10: Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Don’t be afraid of suffering for Christ, the testing for 10 days indicates to me that God will limit it, 10 days could stand for a measure of time, not too long. Jesus is saying be faithful while being tested, like Job, and you will receive the crown of life.

Testing will come to all who follow Christ and it will either make you or break you.  When those trying times come remember, that you must be doing something right or the enemy would not be attacking you.  Try to understand that trials can be God’s test to see just how sincere you are.  Knowing that you can hold on to your faith knowing that while it is tested you will come forth as gold.

Tribulation – John 15:20- “Remember the word that I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”

1Tim. 3:12 – “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Crown of Life  - The crown that is eternal life, “Crown” does not refer to a royal crown (12:3 – Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems (crowns). 13:1 – And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 19:12 – His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems;  and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself).

The crown that we are talking about is like a garland or wreath awarded to the winner in athletic contests. (3:11; 4:4, 10; 6:2; 9:7, 12:1; 14:14).

Verse 11 –He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.

Are you hearing? Are you really tuned in to what God is saying? Or are you continuing in your man made traditions that drive the Holy Spirit out of the church? Are you of the synagogue of Satan blaspheming the Holy Spirit and those who operate in the Gifts of the Spirit? It’s time to check ourselves and re-think some things.

 He who overcomes – the challenge to overcome occurs in each letter.

The second death – 20:6 – “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

The lake of fire (20:14;  21:8)

20:13-14 (13) “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. (14) Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire”.

21:8 “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”.

Socerers. The magical tradition in ancient times (and today) called for the mixing of various herbs to ward off evil.  This is today represented by wind chimes, crystals, lucky rabbit foot, other lucky charms and other various curious objects and arts as well as psychics, fortune tellers, palm readers, witches, and spiritists. We know that evil spirits exists but we also know that the way to get rid of them is to pray out loud in Jesus name.

So the church at Smyrna had no criticism from Jesus but was warned about the people who said they were Jews when their actions showed they were of the Synagogue (church) of Satan. Jesus also indicated they were to be tried for a period of time.  Ten days doesn’t seem to indicate a long period of time but it can certainly seem like it if you are experiencing trials.  Remember what the Bible says when you experience trying times in Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Our trials will work to our good if we will keep in God’s hands we will come forth better than before.