TO SMYRNA--BE FAITHFUL TO DEATH

Passage: Revelation 2:8-11

Key verse: 10b

NIV

To the Church in Smyrna

8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna(A) write:

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last,(B) who died and came to life again.(C) 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!(D) I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not,(E) but are a synagogue of Satan.(F) 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,(G) and you will suffer persecution for ten days.(H) Be faithful,(I) even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.(J)

11 Whoever has ears, let them hear(K) what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.(L)

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

To the Church in Smyrna

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of (A)the first and the last, (B)who died and came to life.

9 “‘I know your tribulation and (C)your poverty ((D)but you are rich) and the slander[a] of (E)those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, (F)that you may be tested, and for (G)ten days (H)you will have tribulation. (I)Be faithful (J)unto death, and I will give you (K)the crown of life. 11 (L)He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (M)The one who conquers will not be hurt by (N)the second death.’

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Revelation 2:9 Greek blasphemy
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Poor, but rich (8-9)

Jesus is the First and the Last; he died and came to life again. Apart from him there is no other God (Isa 44:6). He spoke with authority to the believers of Smyrna who were being persecuted both by emperor-worshiping Gentiles and hostile Jews. They were materially poor and afflicted, but they were spiritually rich in love and faith.

2. The crown of life (1

-11)

Jesus did not offer human sympathy to his suffering people. He reminds them and us that our real enemy is Satan. He charges them not to be afraid, even though they are slandered. He said, 'Be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.' And he promises that those who overcome will not be hurt by the second death. God is faithful and he wants his people to be faithful.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me riches in Jesus. Help me to be faithful to you in large and in small things. Help me to be faithful even to the point of death.

One Word: Be faithful to death