Smyrna: Faithful unto death
lessons from the church in smyrna
Revelation 2:8-11
“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
— Revelation 2:10
This Sunday, we continued our series through the seven letters Jesus sent to churches in Revelation. These aren’t ancient artifacts but living messages from the risen Christ to His people, both then and now. While some churches received rebuke, the church in Smyrna heard only encouragement.
Jesus doesn’t offer them relief or escape. Rather, he offers Himself. Their suffering didn’t disqualify them. It qualified them for a deeper kind of communion. The same is true for us today.
Crushed, but Not Cursed
Smyrna was a wealthy port city on the Aegean coast, known as “The Crown City” because of the ring of hills surrounding its harbor. It was one of the most beautiful and politically loyal cities in Asia Minor and the only one of the seven that still exists today (located in modern-day İzmir, Turkey).
Its name comes from myrrh, a fragrant spice used in burial, derived from the crushing of a thorny plant. Fittingly, the believers in Smyrna were being crushed by persecution, and yet they gave off the fragrance of Christ.
Jesus begins His message with an identity statement:
“These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.”
Why does this matter? Because the One who’s speaking isn’t distant. He’s walked through death and come out alive. He’s the kind of King who can speak with authority to a suffering church.
Jesus says, “I know your affliction and your poverty—yet you are rich!”
Let’s break that down:
Affliction – The Greek word (thlipsis) describes pressure so intense it crushes. These believers weren’t just disliked. They were being squeezed by culture, government, and religious insiders.
Poverty – Smyrna was prosperous, but the church wasn’t. Many had lost jobs, property, or opportunities because they refused to worship the emperor. They were materially poor, some even destitute. But Jesus says, “You are rich.” Why? Because what society sees as wealth differs from what truly matters to God. They had grace. They had Christ. And that meant they had everything.
Slander – They weren’t just economically shut out. They were publicly attacked. Jesus says their persecution came from “those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” These were religious people who had rejected Christ and collaborated with Rome to harm believers. It’s a reminder that the deepest wounds can come from those closest to faith, not just those far from it.
The Test Ahead
Jesus does not sugarcoat what is coming.
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.”
Imprisonment in Rome was not just a holding cell; it was usually a death sentence or a prelude to execution. The mention of "ten days" may be literal, but it could also symbolize a short, defined, yet severe period of testing.
Even so, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” Fear is not rebuked; it is acknowledged. Jesus does not promise that they won’t suffer; He assures them that their suffering has limits. The devil may act, but he can never do anything that God does not permit.
Then comes the call: “Be faithful, even to the point of death.” This is not just poetic language; for them, it was a literal statement, and for many of our brothers and sisters around the world today, it still is.
Faithfulness Is the Victory
To those who endure, Jesus promises two things:
The Crown of Life – In Greek, it’s stephanos, the victory wreath given to athletes or soldiers. For believers, it’s the reward of eternal life. It’s not earned, but it is promised to those who persevere.
Protection from the Second Death – The “second death” is eternal separation from God (Revelation 20:14). For the believer, the worst pain of this life is the only death they’ll ever know. In other words, it is better to die once with Jesus than twice without Him.
Polycarp
Just decades after this letter, one of Smyrna’s own, Polycarp, the bishop and disciple of John, was arrested for refusing to worship Caesar.
When ordered to recant, he said:
“Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
He was burned alive and stabbed. Eyewitnesses recorded how local Jews, such as those referenced in verse 9, helped gather the wood. Polycarp’s death was a direct fulfillment of Jesus’ warning… and His promise.
Action Steps
If You’re Suffering for Your Faith:
Meditate on Revelation 2:10. Memorize it.
Ask God to remind you what you do have in Christ, even if the world takes everything else.
Don’t suffer alone. Reach out to someone who will pray with you.
If You’re Comfortable and Unchallenged:
Examine if your comfort has numbed your boldness.
Read stories from persecuted believers (Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors, etc.).
Pick one thing to say “no” to this week for the sake of saying “yes” to Christ.
For Leaders:
Don’t form ministries that avoid suffering. Form disciples who can endure it.
Preach not just the promises of Christ, but His call to suffer for His sake.
Dive Deeper
Here are a few ways to reflect more deeply in the days ahead:
Scriptures for Meditation:
2 Corinthians 4:7–12
1 Peter 4:12–14
James 1:12
Poem for Reflection
No Scar? by Amy Carmichael
Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die, and rent
by ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?No wound, no scar?
Yet as the Master shall the servant be,
And, pierced are the feet that follow Me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who has no wound nor scar?
Song to Sing
“Though You Slay Me” – Shane & Shane feat. John Piper
“Faithful Now” – Vertical Worship
Discussion questions
These questions can help carry Sunday’s message into your home or group!
For Families:
What does it mean to be rich in God’s eyes?
Can you think of someone today who is suffering for Jesus? How can we pray for them?
Why is it sometimes hard to stand up for your faith at school or with friends?
For Friends/Small Groups
Where do we feel pressure to compromise today?
Have you ever been rejected or misunderstood for following Jesus?
What would faithfulness “unto death” look like in your life right now?
How can we encourage one another to remain faithful when things get hard?
IN conclusion
The church in Smyrna didn’t need to be fixed. They needed to be strengthened. Jesus met them not with correction but with courage.
Some of us are walking through fire. Others have grown comfortable. But all of us need to hear Jesus say, “I know your suffering. Don’t be afraid. Stay faithful. The crown is coming.”
Let’s live in a way that smells like crushed myrrh… costly, fragrant, and faithful to the end.