2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan. 2:10 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. 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 2:8-11 KJV

Some 35 miles North of Ephesus lies the port city of Smyrna which was known as one of the greatest sites of the area and a staunch ally of Rome.

To the persecuted church Christ comes as the Deity who can save them, "the first and the last," the one who conquered death.

Christ commends their works and their tribulation for his name's sake.

He assures them of their richness in heavenly rewards although they are financially poor. Since he is the final judge of every man[Matt7:21-23;Rom.14:10-12] His audit of their account is of supreme importance.

Although more Gentiles, disobedient to the teachings of Christ have harmed the Jews than vice versa, the believers in Smyrna were getting persecution from even the Jews.

Polycarp's death was because of the demands of the Jews.

Smyrna was the safest of all harbors, it had a "street of gold" which began at the Temple of Zeus and ended with the Temple of Cybele.

Smyrna was a support of Rome and provided for them in their times of need.

The "synagogue of Satan" reminds us of the early persecution of the church they done all they could to wipe out the early church which is spoken of in [Acts 13:150]Acts 14:2,5]Acts 14:19]Acts 17:5]

The bible says to weep for their conversion[Romans10:1]

We all see the bad things that people do , we just can't see what is behind the doing it, SATAN!

That is why as Christians ,we hate the sin not the sinner!

Christians fail as miserably as non Christians , but we have the humbleness to admit it and that we need a Saviour.

This resembles the persecuted church of A.D.100 to 313]

The persecution is coming again and will get worse.

God works in cycles, I believe all through history it starts over until He decides for it to end.

The famous minister to Smyrna in that day was Polycarp. It was the custom once a year for all to give allegiance to Caesar by saying "Caesar is Lord " Polycarp refused to do this, it was the season for the Olympic games in Smyrna; the year was about 155A.D. Suddenly the crowds howled for Polycarp, when he entered the arena he was given a choice, to to denounce Christ and praise Caesar or die, he replied.

"Eighty and six years have I served him and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme the name of the King who saved me"?

With that final decree of faith to Christ , Polycarp was burned at the stake.

Even though it was the Sabbath , Jews helped with the carrying of firewood to the stake[ their laws prohibited this on the Sabbath]

In closing , these times will come again , maybe not by death , but by the legal system , do you have the faith to stand?

I believe the punishment of death will happen in the near future, do you have faith to last?

Remember , those who taste death for the sake of Jesus will go from death to life, we all taste the first death , but with Christ there is no second death.