1Pet. 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,

2. The Church at Smyrna!
Rev. 2:8-11 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna
write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who
was dead, and came to life: "I know your works,
tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know
the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and
are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. "Do not fear
any of those things which you are about to suffer.
Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into
prison, that you may be tested, and you will have
tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will
give you the crown of life. "He who has an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who
overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'

3. The city of Smyrna
▪ Smyrna was 40 miles north of Ephesus and it
too was a very prosperous city in its day, with over
100,000 people.
▪ It possessed a safe harbor where ships from all
over the world came to buy & sell.
▪ It was known as the “Crown City” because it was
surrounded by hills that resembled a crown.
▪ It was famous for the production of myrrh, which
came from a shrub-like tree.
▸Mt. 2:1-12 one of three gifts given to baby
Jesus

4. Smyrna is one of the only two churches
that is not commanded to repent by
Jesus!
▪ If given a choice, it would seem that this is the
ast congregation one would willing be a part of in
their day!
▪ Most everything they had going for them, was
also going against them!
▪ Less is written to them than any of the other 7
churches!
▪ They did not allow their suffering to separate
them from the Savior!

5. I. They Were a Crushed Church!
▪ Where they are “now!”
▸Rev 2:9 "I know your works, tribulation, and
poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy
of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are
a synagogue of Satan.
▪ What was “coming!”
▸Rev 2:10 "Do not fear any of those things which
you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to
throw some of you into prison, that you may be
tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be
faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of

6. Things will get worse before they
get better!
▪ They faced persecution!
▸They are in tribulations now (vs. 9) and more
tribulations are coming (vs. 10)
▪ They faced poverty!
▸What do we learn about them from this
statement? Had the persecution had a financial
effect on them? Yet, Jesus goes on to say that
“but you are rich!”
▪ They faced prison!
▸From where did Paul write 4 books?

7. Polycarp preacher at Smyrna
History states that he was a disciple of John
▪ He was arrested in 155 AD because he refused
to declare that “Caesar was Lord!”
▪ He was given a chance when arrested to
renounce his faith, but he refused stating “86 years
I have served Jesus and He has never did me
injury, how can I blaspheme my King & Savior?”
▪ He was then taken to be burned at the stake, and
when they went to tie his hands, to refused and
stated that Jesus would give him strength to
endure this death!

8. II. They Were a Consistent Church!
▪ How many of you have heard the statement,
“what ever doesn’t break you, makes you!”
This was indeed true of them!
▪ If anyone had reason to waver it would
seem that it would be them, but they are
unwavering in their faith!
▪ They will not allow anything to keep them
from going home to heaven!
▪ Even as consistent as they are, they need
reassurance that it is not in vain!

9. You are doing good, now don’t give up!
▪ They had a positive testimony!
▸Jesus was aware of their walk of faith and He
was pleased! They were doing things right even
though it seemed everything had gone wrong!
▪ They had a powerful testimony!
▸Jesus declares “I know your works, tribulation,
and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the
blasphemy of those”
▸They were living proof of genuine faith!
Regardless of what is going on around us, we can
stay true to Jesus!

10. III. They Were a Comforted Church!
One would think that this point makes no
sense, seeing it is a paradoxical statement!
▪ At first this point seems to be a contradiction, but I
can assure you it isn’t!
▪ It only appears to be when looking at it through a
limited scope!
▪ Both them and us must learn to see the bigger
picture!
▪ It is important for us to never become short
sighted, but to remember we are not as others that
have no hope! (1 Thess. 4:13f)

11. This life is only the starting point and not
the stopping point of our existence!
The best is yet to come for the Christian!
▪ They had the “Interest of Heaven!”
▸The Lord of glory has taken a personal interest in
them! “I know thy works!”
▸I know you have it rough, but I have not forgotten
you! (Jn. 14:1-3) “I go ... for you!”
▪ They had the “Involvement of Heaven!”
▸God was using them even though they may not
have fully understood it!
▸Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to

12. They have the interest & involvement “of”
Heaven and they have a investment &
inheritance “in” Heaven!
▪ Their “Investment in Heaven!”
▸ “I know your poverty (but you are rich!)”
▸ They were lacking in “this world’s goods” but not in
what was coming! (Mt. 6:19-21)
▪ Their “Inheritance in Heaven!”
▸ “I will give you a crown of life!”
▸ They may lose it all down here, but they will gain it all
up there!
▸ “if our earthly house, is destroyed, we have a building
from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1)

13. Conclusion:
▪ A congregation that seemingly had nothing really
possessed everything of true value!
▪ What if the church at Smyrna was to sing the
song “this world is not my home!” Do you think it
might have a deeper meaning to them?
▪ Don't give up on God simply because this world
has turned on you! God is greater than the
present!
▪ Rev 2:8 "And to the angel of the church in
Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the
Last, who was dead, and came to life: