The church of Smyrna was in a city given over to various forms of idolatry. One particularly entrenched form of idol worship in Smyrna was exalting the Roman Emperor to the status of a god and worshipping him. The Christians would not participate, and became enemies of the state because they saw Jesus alone as Lord and God…and not Caesar. Not only that but the Jews of Smyrna also attacked the Christians as a heretical sect of false doctrine. The church in Smyrna experienced incredible amounts of persecution including martyrdom. In all of this, Jesus speaks to this church about their suffering and brings an encouragement to them. This is not only true of the church in Smyrna, but it is true in our suffering as well. Jesus identifies with our suffering and He empowers our suffering.

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