Letter to Smyrna (Rev. 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;"
(V8) Smyrna means myrrh or bitterness. Here Jesus Christ presents Himself as the First and the Last, who was dead and came to life again. Even today this representation of Him would be comforting to all who are threatened by death on a daily basis.
(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."
(V9) He told them that He knew the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews and are not. This could very well be for so-called Christians who will buy their way into the Last Day congregations and have never been born again. So-called ministers who are called by daddy, mommy, church, wife or pulpit positioned by an organization, much too often turn out to be hirelings. When everything is going smoothly they're in it for the long haul, but when the going gets rough and tough, they break and run, as hirelings always do. In verse 9 we find how the Lord dealt with this church. First, He commended them for their works. Secondly, He told them that He knew they were facing tribulation and poverty, but they were greatly comforted when he told them they were rich. In verse 10 He again comforts them by telling them not to fear any of those things that they will suffer.
(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."
(V10) This time of tribulation testing may refer to ten literal days; to ten distinct persecutions under the Roman emperors who preceded Constantine; or to ten years of persecution under Diocletian. This verse tells those who will face death for their faith in Christ not to relent and He would give them the crown of life. While some commentators believe that crown of life is eternal life, others including William MacDonald (Bible Believers Commentary) think that it is a special reward for martyrs. If they stand their ground until the end they will not be affected by the second death, the doom of all unbelievers. The second death implies that there is a first death. The difference between the two deaths is that when we as Christians die the first time we will be raised from the dead to live eternally with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As priests of God and Christ we will rule and reign with Him in the Millennial Kingdom. At the second death, all sinners will be raised to stand at the great white throne. Revelations 20:11 "And I (John) saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away; and there has found no place for them." John saw the great judge of all the universe sitting on the throne to judge all whose names that were not found written in the Lamb's Book of Life. (See Rev. 20:14) "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." (Rev. 20:15) "And whoseoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
(V11) "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
(V11) Again those who have a hearing ear are encouraged to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying. The overcomers in the church would be exempt from the second death. An overcomer is someone whose genuine faith can be proven by making heaven his choice with a good conscience, rather than being left on earth with a bad one.
Are YOU Rapture ready??
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