Revelation 2:8-9a NLT “Write this letter to the angel of the church of Symrna. This is a message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive.”
I know about your suffering and your poverty -but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you.”
Revelation 2:10 NLT “Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:11 NLT “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.”
Smyrna, I’ve learned, was just 35 miles north of Ephesus, at the head of the Aegean Sea. The city was known for its beauty, wealth, and achievement.
This busy seaport hub prided itself in intellect, art, religion, and athletic prowess. Some of the first schools of science and medicine were founded in Symnra. The Olympian games were held in Symnra.
Throughout history, Symnra has suffered its share of hardships: wars, massacres, earthquakes, and plaques, but the city has always bounced back.
Jesus spoke, ‘I know your afflictions and poverty- Yet you are rich.’
The followers of Jesus living in Symnra were viewed as a cult and highly persecuted by the hostile Roman empire. They hated the zealot Jewish leaders, hated Christians, and prohibited them from working, buying, or selling at any time they could. As a result, the Smyrnaean believers lived in genuine poverty for their faith.
However, the church was highly wealthy! No, not in material or temporal things but through their perseverance, faith, and dedication to their belief in Jesus Christ, his resurrection, and spreading the gospel message. They were beyond rich in the spiritual treasures awaiting them in Heaven.
Matthew 6:20-21 NLT “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be also.”
And in the final verses, Jesus warns us that by following him, we might experience hardships, persecution, and testing! I am not sure that the Lord’s message is any more popular today than it was 2,000 years ago!
True Christians who seek daily to follow the Lord and his ways are often looked at differently than the mass popular. Often people don’t know how to act around a Christian. Can we cuss in front of them, what about have a drink, can I tell this crude joke? Christians can often make nonbelievers uncomfortable or nervous I believe that that is the Holy Spirit possibly convicting, as I know it isn’t our job.
So, we read in this letter to the church of Symnra actual accolades from Jesus, and praise to this church, with this one not followed by a warning! The church of Symnra is a great example of how to follow, stay on track and not let the ways and threats of this world get in the way of our path to Heaven.
The ways of the world are temporal! The wealth we acquire on earth stays on earth. The treasures we build and store in heaven will be waiting for us one day!
Let’s be a church of Symnra…strong in our beliefs and faith! Solid as the rock we have built our church on, not afraid to share the gospel and rich in the life and blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for sharing some time in Sunshine. Be blessed! ❤️☀️🥰
Sunshine On My Shoulder 