Revelation 2:8-9

⁸ And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, Who died and came to life again:

·        Smyrna means a highly valued spice.

·        Smyrna was a port city. It was known for its natural beauty and competed with Ephesus and Pergamum for power and prestige.  

⁹ I know your affliction and distress and pressing trouble and your poverty—but you are rich! and how you are abused and reviled and slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

·        Jesus told us that in this world we would be persecuted but that we could be of good cheer because He has overcome the world for us, John 16:33.

·        This Church was in the middle of a very successful city that was trying to compete in the world and the church suffered persecution for it. This is a foreshadowing of the end times. When the true church will be persecuted for not following along with the fake religion of the anti-christ.

·       Jesus told us that we are blessed when mean hate and revile us for His Name’s sake, Luke 6:22.

·       A synagogue is a building or meeting place. Smyrna is where satan, who is the father of lies, had his meeting place.

·       These people lived where a major false message was being taught and preached.

·       There are many saved people who live in these kinds of areas today and they are persecuted and killed for being empowered by the Holy Spirit to believe in Jesus.