Jesus, identified as the Alpha and Omega of Time, has some message for seven different churches in Asia Minor. Here is his message to Smyrna.
Smyrna was a city on the eastern shore of Aegean sea. Like Ephesus, the location of ancient Smyrna is now an archeological site, but unlike Ephesus, the city endured, developing into the large modern city of Izmir, with 3 million inhabitants.
Smyrna was a city on the eastern shore of Aegean sea. Like Ephesus, the location of ancient Smyrna is now an archeological site, but unlike Ephesus, the city endured, developing into the large modern city of Izmir, with 3 million inhabitants.
The Greek word translated "angel" here, and throughout the book, simply means "messenger."
Revelation 2: 8-11, The message to Smyrna
“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
9 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.
10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
9 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.
10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
The "First and the Last" is, of course, Jesus, earlier identified as the Alpha and Omega.
Despite their afflictions and poverty, they are "rich", surely a positive statement.
Among the congregation there are those who, although claiming to be Jews (or Christians), they are not, but are part of the devil's testing.
Suffering and persecution will come, but (as in the rest of the book) the believers are encouraged to be faithful and persevere.
What do the ten days signify? (They are very specific.)
Despite their afflictions and poverty, they are "rich", surely a positive statement.
Among the congregation there are those who, although claiming to be Jews (or Christians), they are not, but are part of the devil's testing.
Suffering and persecution will come, but (as in the rest of the book) the believers are encouraged to be faithful and persevere.
What do the ten days signify? (They are very specific.)
No criticism is given to this church, only encouragement. I give this church an A. The promise to the faithful here is "a victor's crown" and freedom from the "second death." The "second death" is most likely the final judgment. (See this Wikipedia article.)
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