SMYRNA CHURCH: THE PERIOD OF PERSECUTION

The Smyrna Church: The Period of Persecution

2:8-11               100 A.D. to 300 A.D.

"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;" "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."

The Destination of This Letter

"Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna,"

The Immediate Destination of the Letter

This is exactly like the previous case. It is to the angel of the church, a supernatural being who has been charged with caring for this congregation.

The Intermediate Destination of the Letter

Precisely the same as in the previous letter: to the pastor, officers, and people of the church.

The Ultimate Destination of the Letter
"In Smyrna"

The city of Smyrna was situated about 40 miles north of Ephesus and was reputed to be one of the most magnificent cities of Ionia. It was almost destroyed by earthquake during the reign of Tiberius, but rose out of the ruins. Splendid buildings around the hill of Pagos give it its reputation.

Wealthy commercial city and a faithful ally of Rome. Virtue of faithfulness is also mentioned in this letter.

It is though that when Paul visited Ephesus (Acts 19:1), he also came to Smyrna and found disciples there as at Ephesus. But how the church was started we do not know from the New Testament unless it was as a direct result of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. It is declared that his ministry was so powerful that all in Asia heard the word (Acts 19:10).

This church continued to exist and bear its testimony, in spite of the persecution that came upon it, just as the period it represents. Out of a population of 250,000 people, perhaps half of them became Christian.