Of the letters written to the seven churches in Asia, the one addressed to Smyrna was one of two without complaint. This letter is one of immense encouragement to the church experiencing great persecution.

Under the rule of Domitian, emperor worship was obligatory. The Christians in Smyrna found themselves in trials day after day, choosing to serve God rather than man (cf. Acts 5:29). Consequential to this decision was the persecution and suffering promised to those who love Christ (cf. 2 Timothy 3:12). However, the church in Smyrna proved faithful, and their works did not go unnoticed by the Lord.

The Lord reminded them of their wealth with regard to spiritual things (cf. John 6:27; Ephesians 1:3-14), and that their offenders had not escaped the Lord’s vision (cf. Hebrews 4:13). The Lord provided them solace in the promise of “the crown of life” at the end of their faithfulness. It may be that the members of this church would experience the first death, but Christ promised an exemption from the second to those who overcome!

We are encouraged by the truth that these promises were not given to the church in Smyrna alone, but “also to all who have loved His appearing” (cf. 2 Timothy 4:8).