“Do not fear what you are about to suffer…. Be faithful until death…” (Revelation 2:8-11, NASB)

Victorious Christians do not avoid suffering. They go right through it and come out victorious. The Spirit encouraged the church in Smyrna,

“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: ‘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. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast 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.’”

If we were to describe the church in Smyrna, it would be “persecuted church.” If the church in Smyrna was an actual church in Asia, it was already experiencing severe tribulations at the time of the writing. Apparently, these Christians were being persecuted by people who were calling themselves “Jews,” but according to God, they were a “synagogue of Satan.” Furthermore, they were told that even more persecution and suffering were coming their way because the devil, who was working behind the scenes, was about to cast some of them into prison. Jesus did not say that he would deliver them. Instead, he challenged them to be faithful until death, implying that suffering, imprisonment, and martyrdom were inevitable.

On the other hand, if the church in Smyrna were a symbolic church representing a stage in church history, it would be described as a “Martyr Church.” Since it comes right after the church in Ephesus, that is, the Apostolic Church or the church described in the book of Acts, the church in Smyrna is the church age that endured persecution at the hands of the Roman Empire and the Jews. You can read about the Christian persecution during this time in many history books. They are well documented. These Christians were hunted down, imprisoned, nailed to the cross, torn apart by lions, and even used as human torches in Roman coliseums. The book of Hebrews mentions them as heroes of faith, saying that they were “tortured, not accepting their release… and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword… And all these, having gained approval through their faith…” (Heb.11:35-39)

Whether Smyrna was an actual church or a symbolic church, one thing is obvious—it was a persecuted church. So what can we learn from their example? What is the Spirit trying to teach the 21st-century church? It is that Christians do not avoid suffering. They go right through it and come out victorious because that is how we demonstrate our faith in God to the world. Apostle Peter writes, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the suffering of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of his glory, you may rejoice with exultation… if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God” (1 Pet.4:12-16). By sharing the suffering of Christ, we demonstrate that we love God more than life itself.

• Why do you think God encouraged the church in Smyrna not to fear, even though He predicted that they would suffer, be put in prison, and some even die?
• As a Christian, what does it mean to you to “be faithful until death?”