Revelation 2:8-11 — Smyrna

This church is about to go through some suffering, and this letter is the shortest of the seven.¶

"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

Revelation 2:8 (ESV)¶

Remember, the beginning of each letter points out who the words are coming from by giving a description of Jesus from chapter one — and in each case that attribute is also how Christ is going to speak to that church. In the first letter we saw Christ holding the stars and walking among the lampstands, warning he would remove their lamp. In this letter we see Christ as the first and the last, who died and came to life.¶

First and last¶

This description is a strong tower to us who believe; this attribute of Christ is why we have hope. He is First — in position and rank (Ephesians 1:21; Hebrews 2:8), and first in time and space (John 1:1-4). He is the Last — the end of sin and death (Romans 8:2), the end of suffering and labor, the end of all rule and authority (1 Corinthians 15:24). He is the end as in the goal, the purpose, the solution. Christ is the means and the end.¶

And he died and has come to life — meaning he is not held by death, no longer subject to it; death has no more power over him. He has conquered and defeated death.¶

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" ... But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (ESV)¶

All this to say: Christ is the only one uniquely equipped to comfort the whole church in the way he is about to comfort Smyrna.¶

"I know your tribulation and poverty"¶

"'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:9 (ESV)¶

He tells them he knows their tribulation and poverty. Not only does he perceive it — I can say with confidence that Christ intimately knows it; he lived it and felt it personally. Though he was rich, for our sake he became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9). He was lied about, persecuted, and put to death. There is great comfort that Christ is not incapable of understanding our earthly sorrows; he knows them.¶

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief... Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows... But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:3-5 (ESV)¶

So though in earthly position and possessions they are poor and suffering, they are heirs with Christ and possessors of him — the greatest treasure. They are rich in the truest sense. When we go through suffering and poverty, the place our hearts find true security and rest is only in our Savior; we have everything we truly need in him (Romans 8:32; 2 Peter 1:3; Romans 8:14-17).¶

"Do not fear"¶

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 2:10 (ESV)¶

We too do not need to fear (2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 23:4). "Some of you will be thrown into prison, that you may be tested" — this reminds me of when Jesus told Peter that Satan demanded to sift him like wheat (Luke 22:31-32). Being tested is a necessary part of our faith, because without testing our faith is not refined.¶

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4 (ESV)¶

"Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." Christ is the one who gives the crown of life, and Christ is the life we receive — but that life is contingent on faith in the one who gives life from the dead (1 John 5:11-12). When Christ tells them to be faithful unto death, it is only after he has already told them that he is the one raised from the dead, who has conquered death. In him they will live forever. The crown of life is given to all who believe.¶

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you... so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:3-7 (ESV)¶

No second death¶

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

Revelation 2:11 (ESV)¶

In Christ there is no second death — which is eternal judgment and separation from God.¶