What did the church at Smyrna show about persecution and testimony?
The church at Smyrna showed that persecution, like crushing myrrh, releases fragrant testimony. The more believers were crushed by persecution, the more their testimony was exuded. Persecution could not get ahead of the early church because the more Satan persecuted it, the more it thrived.
Les explains that Smyrna actually meant just like myrrh, and myrrh does not exude its fragrance until it is crushed. This is exactly what the church at Smyrna was indicating: the more persecution crushed those believers, the more they exuded their testimony. That is why Satan had to give up persecuting the early church, because he could not get ahead of it; the more he persecuted, the more it thrived. Les then notes that Satan took another attack—joining them—and Christianity began to slide. In Revelation chapter 2, the letter to Smyrna says, “I know thy works,” and the next word is tribulation.
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
More Questions
What does the name Smyrna mean and why does the meaning matter?
The name Smyrna means "myrrh," and myrrh does not release its fragrance until it is crushed.
Why was the church of Smyrna poor?
The church of Smyrna was materially poor because persecution took away their income, jobs, and wealth.
Why were the Christians in Smyrna materially poor?
The believers in Smyrna were poor in material things because persecution was taking away their income, jobs, and wealth.