Revelation: Church at Smyrna

To the church of Smyrna Revelations 2:8-11

V8    And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the First and the Last, which was dead, and is alive;
V9    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.  
V10    Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer:  behold the devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation ten days:  be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.  
V11    He that hath and ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; he that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.  

Attribute:  “the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive”

 Smyrna, today is Izmir, was 35 miles north of Ephesus.  It was the most splendid of the 7 Cities and was the pride of Asia.  The caesar cult had emerged and the Christians suffered a great deal because they would not worship Caesar.  Polycarp, the bishop of the church, was martyred here in A.D. 156 because he refused to call Ceasar "Lord".


This is one of only two churches that Jesus did not find any fault with and with Smyrna He is warning them and giving them encouragement He is also addressing fear.  

Jesus knows:
their works
tribulation
poverty

V8. The First and The Last
    Isaiah 41:4
    Isaiah 44:6
    Isaiah 48:12. hearken to Me; hear and obey

V9    1 Timothy 6:17-18. ...do good and rich in good works...



V10. Fear none of those things:
    Matthew 10:22.   Jesus said, "And you shall be hated of all for My name's sake:  but he that endures to the end shall be saved."
    Be thou faithful:
      Matthew 24:13.  Jesus said,  "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

Jesus is telling the church at Smyrna that He is very aware of them and what they do for Him.  He knows they are very obedient to Him.  He also know what because of that they are being troubled by those around them for their faith and teaching/preaching the gospel.  They are a poor church but He says they rich in the Word and are storing up treasures in Heaven–Matthew 6:19-21 through being obedient.

Jesus is warning them that they will suffer because of those that are of satan's group, and some of them will be cast into prison for 10 days.  But He tells them to not be afraid what those things.  He always tells us to fear NOT!

Attribute applied:  He also knows because He has been through it Himself when He lived here on the earth.  He IS The First and The Last,  was dead, and IS alive!  He has lived here on the earth for 33 years and has faced what the Smyrnaians have faced.  He knows they will be severally tried and He tells them to remain faithful unto death.  He is telling them: ‘I have been there and come out on the other side.  I am the first and last; I was dead and now alive.  I know what is awaiting for you––remain faithful!!’  Don't get discouraged.  Never give up.  (Winston Churchill!)

He is telling us the same thing:  Remain faithful!!  Keep focused on Jesus and be obedient to what He tells you to do through though severely tried-remain faithful!  And you will:

Reward:  “Not be hurt of the second death”