Revelation 2:8-11

Letter to the church in Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11: In that day Smyrna was a beautiful and proud city. It was a center of learning and culture. To this church Jesus described Himself as, "the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive." What a joy it is to be reminded that we serve the risen Lord.

Smyrna was a very rich city, but because of persecution the Christians were very poor. Jesus knew the abuse these Christians endured at the hands of others. He expressed His thoughts concerning these brethren in the words, "but thou art rich." They lived in poverty, but they were truly rich.

God wanted the church at Smyrna to stand strong under the tests that would come. He said, "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." (Revelation 2:10) Jesus has no rebuke for these brethren, but He does have the promise of a crown.