The Persecuted Church

“And to the [a]angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says (A)the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are (B)rich); and I know the blasphemy of (C)those who say they are Jews and are not, (D)but are a [b]synagogue of Satan. 10 (E)Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. (F)Be faithful until death, and I will give you (G)the crown of life.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:8 Or messenger
  2. Revelation 2:9 congregation

Message to Smyrna

“And to the angel of the church in (A)Smyrna write:

(B)The first and the last, who [a](C)was dead, and has come to life, says this:

‘I know your (D)tribulation and your (E)poverty (but you are (F)rich), and the [b]slander by those who (G)say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of (H)Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be (I)tested, and you will have tribulation (J)for ten days. [c]Be (K)faithful until death, and I will give you (L)the crown of life.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:8 Lit became
  2. Revelation 2:9 Or blasphemy
  3. Revelation 2:10 Or Prove yourself faithful

Message to Smyrna

“And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [a]Smyrna write:

“These are the words of the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God] who died and came to life [again]:(A)

‘I know your suffering and your poverty (but you are rich), and how you are blasphemed and slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan [they are Jews only by blood, and do not believe and truly honor the God whom they claim to worship]. 10 Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:8 In ancient times Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey) was a beautiful, cosmopolitan city. Located on the Aegean coast, it vied with Ephesus and Pergamum in importance in Asia Minor. It was closely identified with Rome and the cult of emperor worship. Smyrna was later the home of Polycarp, the great Christian church leader who, at the age of eighty-six, was burned at the stake for his refusal to worship the Roman emperor.

To the Church in Smyrna

“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) 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)

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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.

10 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.

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