“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of 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 will not be hurt at all by the second death.”
Revelations 2:8-11
Smyrna was a city in Asia closely aligned with Rome. Like Rome it was engaged in emperor worship. Additionally it had a hostile Jewish population that made life difficult for Christians to live there.
Polycarp a famous early martyr was bishop of Smyrna.
Here Jesus identifies himself as the First and the Last, the same as saying the Aleph and the Omega.
He recognizes the suffering and poverty of the church yet says they are rich probably because of their keeping their faith in Christ despite their suffering.
He makes it clear some will be put in prison but urges them to be faithful to the point of death and they will receive a clown of life.
The crown referred to here is that of the garland an athlete receives for winning a race. In today’s terms a gold medal. Only this crown is a crown of life. Eternal life in Christ.
Today around the world there are many churches in this situation. They are in areas that are hostile to the gospel of Christ.
Christians that are being persecuted and thrown in prison for no other reason than the fact that they are Christian. These Christians will receive a their crown of life because of their faithfulness.
We who live with the blessing of freedom of speech, and religion need to remember the our brethren around the world who are in the same situation as the Church in Smyrna. We need to remind our politicians of the persecution of Christians and ask them to help our cause.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world.”
North Korea and Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia, followed closely by Shia Iran, are among the most oppressive regimes to Christians as well as other religious groups
In Bhutan, where Christians make up 1-2% of its 750,000 population, Christians are not legally recognised at all and cannot have church buildings or cemeteries. Nepal also does not recognise Christianity.
Add to this list communist China, some of the former soviet block countries as well as many other states and terrorist groups such as ISIS.
Take time now to pray for those believers who are living under repressive governments that refuse to allow the spread of the Gospel. Pray that they will have faith to continue doing the work of the Lord.
Pray also as our Lord commanded,
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:44,45.
Pray that those who persecute Christians anywhere in the world will see the light that is Christ Jesus and come to know Him as their Lord and Saviour.
Don't think about it pray
