And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 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. Fear none of those things which thou shall 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.
Verse 8. The Angels are message courier, it is therefore conclusive that the message was meant to be conveyed to the elders of that church by the hand of the angel in charge of the church. It is usual for the Lord to send them to convey the message, it is important that the watchman over the church is watchful, lest he missed periodic visitation and turn the church into ‘always the same thing’ every time without positive changes and viable growth.
-Verse 9a and b. I know thy works and tribulation. God’s eyes are upon the all ways of man. It makes all the difference when we are conscious of the Lord’s awareness and cognizance of any situation we are in: that we live and acts in faith before him as people conscious that they have being watched and controlled by celestial CCTV- (closed-circuit television).
The Lord is a friend closer than any brother and he understands our thoughts afar off. He feels and shares in our pain and weaknesses – afflicted in all our afflictions. It is written that through many tribulations, we shall inherit the kingdom of God. We will rejoice in our tribulations, if the seed of the word sown into our heart has not fallen on to stony place- tribulation shall become powerless to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 13; 20-21. Isaiah 63; 7- 9. Romans 8:35-39. Acts 14:21-22. Revelation 7:9-14.
Verse 9c – I know thy poverty, but thou art rich. This is the true and enduring wealth to pursue in Christ – the fulness of him that fills all things – the fulness of Christ. It seemingly the enemy has successfully attacked the financial resources and blessings of this church and her entire congregant, but the Lord revealed to her the importance of spiritual wealth and riches of faith above the uncertain riches of the world. Though they might not have more than heart could wished for as of the goods of this world (better is the poor that walks in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Proverbs 28:6) yet, they possess all things as of a better and enduring substance reserved in heaven for them. Having nothing, yet possessing all things. The Lord is a good compensator and rewarder. Has he not made the poor of this world rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom which he promised? We must set the priority right. The spiritual comes before the physical. The kingdom righteousness must be sought first and preferred above the things and pleasures of the flesh and world, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which cannot be seen, for the things which are seen are temporal and the things which cannot be seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 6:9-10. James2:5.
The Smyrna church is over and has overcome many things (i) they’ve overcome the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches to live each day as it comes, without cares, anxiety and worry. Mark 4;18-19. (ii) They will not murmur nor repine in poverty, having learnt how to enjoy plenty if abundance is made available; and how to suffer want, if there is not; they can do all things all things through Christ that gives then strength. Philippians 4;10-13. (iii) They have learnt that godliness with contentment is a great gain and having food to eat and cloth to wear, they are content. 1 Timothy 6: 6-10.
Verse 9d. I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews but are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. The Lord knows them that are his. The Lord know his sheep and can distinguish and make distinction among them from false brethren –goats. This is the type of Simeon’s the sorcerer’s type in the church – children of darkness among the children of light – stumbling blocks and occasions to fall – rebelled against the light and truth.
The Lord will soon come for them and their ends shall be according to their works, when the wheat shall be separated into the barn and the tares are cast into the fire to be burnt. Matthew 13: 24-30; 36-43. Galatians 2: 4-5. Zephaniah 1: 1-3. Mark 9:42-48.
Verse 10-11. The Lord empowers and prepared the minds of his bride for the future trial and assault from the enemy. Some of them according to divine counsel shall be cast into prison for ten days (for so long- the devil will be so hard on some believers to try them till death, if haply he might get them backslide from God to miss heaven) and let them no think that the Lord has forgotten or abandoned them. The Lord encouraged them to be confident in endurance and faithfulness during the trial period to the end for the reward of a crown of life, that they might escape from the second death – not be thrown into the lake of fire for lack of enduring hardness as good soldier of Christ. Warnings and encouragement are always given to all and sundry for obedience – he that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit says unto the churches. The gospels of salvation are a message of divisions between light and darkness, against the father and son, mother and daughter. The afflictions of the gospel and persecutions for Christ’s sake must be endured patiently to the end: never to deter us from following the Lord all the days of life. Mark 4:16-17. 2 Thessalonians 1: 3-5. 2 Timothy1:8.