Smyrna at the time was a famous city, a dangerous city, and was also known as the resurrection city (Rev 2:8b).
The church in Smyrna is solely praised in the shortest of the seven letters - its outward appearance is that of destitution and affliction with Christians regularly arrested, persecuted and even martyred. However, spiritually the church was rich - bringing sanctification and justification.
Now there's a lot of big words there, so let's look at the words and concepts.
As Christians, we know that this world is nothing more than a prelude to what is to come. Hence outward destitution and affliction mean nothing. Remember that when you die, you can't take anything with you! The Egyptians believed the dead took all sorts with them on their journey to the afterlife, so they buried them with all sorts of treasure and equipment. When the great explorers cracked open the Pyramids thousands of years later, where were all these treasures? Right there where they were left...
Spiritual treasure is a funny concept - I for one don't believe we each have a treasure chest in heaven, and each time we do something good, we don't get another bag of coins in there. I mean, what would you buy in heaven? Okay magazine?
Rev 2:10 tell us that Jesus is our reward in heaven - with 'the crown of life'. Look back to Genesis and a certain lady by the name of Eve was after something similar...
So in your suffering remember two things - Jesus knows (v9), Jesus saves (v11).
Briefly on sanctification and justification:
Sanctification is being made holy. We can only be made holy by God - we can't do it by ourselves (Ex 31:13), and he's already done it - once for all (Heb 10:10).
Justification is to be proved right & to be absolved (think someone found not guilty in court). It is also linked to righteousness, but be careful with that idea - read the Parable of Two Men who Prayed in Luke 18.
This letter challenges me about how I am seen by those around me. I shouldn't want to be seen to be wealthy, sorted etc., but I should be honest, not concerning myself with earthly concepts and desires.
Does this mean I walk around in rags? No, but it means I don't shop Prada, Superdry, Hollister etc., for all of my clothes - meaning I have the money to give to those more needy, and to the Church.
Two questions, which will be investigated more next time:
1) Am I willing to die of Christ?
2) Am I willing to live for Christ?
