THE PERSECUTION - Revelation 2:9

Revelation 2:9

THE PERSECUTION

“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan (2:9).

Tribulation (θλίψις thlípsis, Gk.) – This is a word which literally means “to crush, press, compress, squeeze, which is from thláō, to break. Tribulation, trouble, affliction.” Tribulation, to the early Christians meant not so much ill health, poverty or loss of friends, but the sacrifices they had to make and the perils they had to meet from their proclamation or profession of Christ. The church at Smyrna was facing intense pressure because of their faithfulness to Jesus Christ.

1. The city was a leading center for the cult of emperor worship. Christians refused to offer sacrifices to the emperor Domitian and worship him. They were branded rebels and faced the wrath of the Roman government.

2. The Christians refused to participate in pagan religion in general. Much of Smyrna’s social life revolved around pagan worship and Christians were viewed as antisocial elitists for refusing to participate in it.

3. The Believers at Smyrna faced blasphemy by those who are a synagogue of Satan. Those Jews who hated and rejected Jesus Christ were just as much Satan’s followers as pagan idol worshippers (John 8:44). Blasphemy indicates the slander’s wickedness, intensity, and severity. They may have claimed to be a synagogue of God, but they were just the opposite.

Who say they are Jews and are not – Though these were by race Jews, they were spiritually pagan (Romans 2:28-29). It is never sufficient to obey the teachings of the Word legalistically, with a mixing of law and grace. Submission of the heart to God, not adherence to a prescribed set of rules, is His desire for us. They allied with the Gentile enemies of God in an attempt to stamp out Christianity in Smyrna.

Poverty (πτωχεία ptōcheía, Gk.) – Literally means “Poverty, want, indicating complete helplessness.” It describes beggars, who live not by their own labor, but by the alms of others. Many of the believers at Smyrna were slaves; and most were destitute. Those few who had owned possessions had lost them in the persecution.

You are rich – They had what really mattered – salvation, holiness, grace, peace, fellowship, a sympathetic Savior and Comforter. The church of Smyrna is a type of the spiritual richness of faithful suffering churches throughout history.