38 REVELATION 2 Paradise after their crucifixion (Luke 23:43), and it is the site of the heavenly tree of life (Rev 22:2, 14, 19) that will last for eternity. One of the most beautiful expressions of God granting the “overcomer” status to people of faith is seen in Hosea 14:1-4. Reflection: How many comparisons to the believer today can you see in the Hosea passage?
B. THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA (2:811) – THE SUFFERING CHURCH Thirty-five miles north of Ephesus on the Aegean Sea was Smyrna, a city rebuilt by Alexander the Great that became a rival to Ephesus, especially in idolatry. Though not named in Acts or the Pauline epistles, it was probably founded by disciples out of Ephesus (Acts 19:10), as was the church at Colossae. Though one of the loveliest cities in Asia (“the Ornament of Asia”) the imperial decrees against Christianity were strictly enforced here. Smyrna was a wealthy city since it controlled the trade of the rich Hermus valley. It was the first city in the world to erect a temple to the goddess Roma and to the spirit of Rome. Polycarp, the last disciple of the Apostle John, was killed here in AD 168. Smyrna’s fidelity to Rome made any other religion a sign of rebellion, so Christ said to this church, “be faithful unto death.” Suffering is not to be considered unusual in the Christian life. “Consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance… so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything” (James 1:2-4). Reflection: Why did Peter consider suffering so valuable for Christians in 1 Pet 5:10?
Persecution tends to purify the believer; hypocrites do not stay around when they have to suffer to let their faith be known. It is no coincidence that the church at Smyrna and Philadelphia received no rebuke in their letter from the Lord Jesus.