With such a fertile ground for prosperity, none of the inhab­itants of Smyrna should have been poor. The people were no doubt business-minded and should have ben­efitted from their fair share of foreign investment in their economy.

And many did. But sadly, the church members in Smyrna were poor. And that was not even the only prob­lem they had.

As described in the letter to them by the “One who sees and knows all,” they were also afflicted in other ways. Their Christian business practices stood out against the capitalism and materialism that characterised the commercial transactions of the town.

The simplicity of the church con­trasted sharply with the extravagance of the dance theatres and fashion houses. And their godliness was a si­lent rebuke to the worldliness evident on the streets, in homes, classrooms, business, political, and religious cen­tres.

As a result, they incurred deri­sion, wrath, malice, and jealousy in good measure. Their best intentions were given the worst interpretation, and their comportment, speech, and conduct were subject to sanctions and harsh sentencing.

Everywhere they went, they were sorely afflicted by their neighbours, unbelieving relatives, city council of­ficials, business partners, customers, and even strangers.

They were also slandered and maligned by those who should have been the ones to receive and protect them – the Jews – the ones to whom the charge had first been given: “go and make disciples of all nations, bap­tizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19.

They were the ones who should have defended them. But no! Instead, these Jews were their chief slanderers and persecutors.

At the time of sending this letter, the accurate description of how Chris­tians talked, walked, dressed, what they ate, believed, and preached had spread far and wide. It had led to the conversion of many, as well as to the affliction of many.

The church in Smyrna had an unfair amount of the latter than the former, and the God who knows all things sent this message to them: “I know your afflictions and your poverty – yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” – verse 9

THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA

As much as the church in Smyrna loved the Lord, and as much as they had tried to obey Him faithfully and lovingly in all their ways, they had been afflicted by the viruses of perse­cution, poverty, and slander.

The Master Physician knew that without His divine touch, it was only a matter of time before they would succumb to the ravaging effect of these virulent viruses and give up their faith.

Earlier, when Jesus walked on earth, He had taught the multitude on the mountain top: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the king­dom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3. He knew that after His death, the spirit of many believers would be crushed.

Surrounded by prosperity and plen­ty, Jesus knew that many would be impoverished by being ostracised. He knew that the faith of many would be sorely tried and they would be at risk of giving up.

But the Alpha and Omega has already made provision for the eternal reward of those thus afflicted. And so, He gave the assurance to the church in Smyrna: “I know…”

God who sees everything, assured them that their sickness was not due to any fault of theirs. It was the result of external forces because of their faith in Him.

God doesn’t just see our suffer­ings, but He experiences them with us. Hence, He knows exactly what we are going through and those who are responsible for it.

And just as He described the pain the Smyrna church was experienc­ing to them with the introduction “I know” and those who were behind their pain, so He sees and knows all that we go through today.

He knows those tormenting us and invites us to take His prescription to soothe our pain.

While waiting to share the rest of the article with you, I invite you to meditate on the beautiful hymn en­titled “The Church’s One Foundation Is Jesus Christ her Lord” authored by Samuel John Stone – (1839 – 1900).

1. The Church’s one foundation

Is Jesus Christ her Lord?

She is His new creation

By water and the word:

From heaven He came and sought her

To be His holy bride:

With His own blood He bought her,

And for her life He died.

2. Elect from every nation,

Yet one o’er all the earth,

Her charter of salvation

One Lord, one faith, one birth,

One holy name she blesses,

Partakes one holy food,

And to one hope she presses,

With every grace endued.

5. Yet she on earth hath union

With God the Three in One,

And mystic sweet communion

With those whose rest is won.

O happy ones and holy!

Lord, give us grace that we,

Like them, the meek and lowly,

On high may dwell with Thee.

For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0243588467 or 0268130615

Email: saltnlightministries@gmail. com

Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org

By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author