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The congregation of Smyrna
« And to the angel of the congregation in Smyrna write: These are the things that he says, ‘the First and the Last,’ who became dead and came to life again: ‘I know your tribulation and poverty—but you are rich—and the blasphemy by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but they are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison so that you may be fully put to the test, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: The one who conquers will by no means be harmed by the second death.’ » (Apocalypse 2:8-11).
When Jesus Christ says to the Congregation of Smyrna: « I know your tribulation and poverty—but you are rich », that reminds us of the illustration of the rich man who was storing up treasure. He concluded his illustration in the following way: « So it goes with the man who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God » (Luke 12:13-21). The spiritual wealth, regarding the congregation of Smyrna, was toward God. It represents the price of the Christian integrity toward God: « Until I die, I will not renounce my integrity! » (Job 27:5).
The spiritual wealth increasing toward God, is the price of trials that the Christian must endure to have a victorious faith, like the members of the Smyrna Congregation. Regarding the signs of the last days, Jesus Christ said: « But the one who has endured to the end will be saved » (Matthew 24:13). Endurance and resilience imply the ability to overcome the pain associated with the trials of Christian ministry and life in general. This suffering is the price of the sacrifice we offer to the Heavenly Father and His Son, and it gives value to the love we show them.
The endurance of the members of the humble congregation in Smyrna did not go unnoticed by King Jesus Christ. This serves as an encouragement to all Christian congregations in the Middle East and certain congregations on the African continent that are suffering just as the Smyrna congregation did. In due time, Jesus Christ will deliver them from their persecutors and exact full payment for their bloodthirsty deeds: « This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you. 7 But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels 8 in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. 9 These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength, 10 at the time when he comes to be glorified in connection with his holy ones and to be regarded in that day with wonder among all those who exercised faith, because the witness we gave met with faith among you » (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).
Jesus Christ does not make any reproach against this courageous congregation of Smyrna, but he encourages them by showing the extraordinary reward that these Christians will have (men and women), « Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: The one who conquers will by no means be harmed by the second death ». In Matthew 12:20 (which is the fulfillment of a prophecy of Isaiah), it is written: « No bruised reed will he crush, and no smoldering wick will he extinguish, until he brings justice with success » (Matthew). « Look! My servant, whom I support! My chosen one, whom I have approved! I have put my spirit in him; He will bring justice to the nations. He will not cry out or raise his voice, And he will not make his voice heard in the street. No crushed reed will he break, And no smoldering wick will he extinguish. In faithfulness he will bring justice. He will not grow dim or be crushed until he establishes justice in the earth; And the islands keep waiting for his law » (Isaiah 42:1-4).
It is very likely that Jesus Christ glorified applied this text to this congregation which had serious trials. He encouraged this congregation, knowing all the terrible future tribulation that was going to arise and which he mentioned, concluding with the promise of everlasting life that they were going to obtain by being enduring until the end: « But the one who has endured to the end will be saved » (Matthew 24:13).
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