Revelation 2:8 - Meaning and Application

We now move to the second letter sent to one of the Asian churches. As before, we should notice the opening and closing parts. First, the address tells us who the letter is meant for: “To the angel of the church in Smyrna,” a city still known today, famous for trade and wealth. It may be the only one of the seven cities that still keeps the same name, though it is no longer marked by a Christian church, since it has been overtaken by Mahomedism.

Second, the closing title of our Lord Jesus is given: “the first and the last, who was dead and is alive” (Revelation 1:17-18). Jesus Christ is the first and the last. Our time in this world is brief, but our Redeemer is from first to last. He is first, because all things were made through him, and he was before all things with God, and he is God himself. He is last, because all things are made for him, and he will be the Judge of all.

This is surely a title belonging to God, from everlasting to everlasting. It also belongs to the unchanging Mediator, the one who stands between God and people, Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever. He was first, because through him the foundation of the church was laid in the patriarchs, the earliest family leaders of God’s people. He is last, because through him the final stone will be brought in and set in place at the end of time.

He was dead and is alive. He was dead and died for our sins. He is alive, because he rose again for our justification, that is, our being counted right with God, and he always lives to pray for us. He was dead and, by his death, purchased salvation for us. He is alive and, by his life, applies that salvation to us. If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by his death, then much more, now that we are reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. We remember his death at the Lord’s Supper, and his resurrection and life every Lord’s Day.

The main message of this letter to Smyrna comes after Christ’s open knowledge of all that men do, and especially of all that his churches do. First, he notices the growth they had made in spiritual things. This is said in a short parenthesis, but it is very strong: “But you are rich” (Revelation 2:9). They were poor in outward things, but rich in spiritual things, poor in the world and yet rich in grace. Their spiritual riches stand out against their outward poverty. Many who are rich in worldly things are poor in spiritual things. That was the case with Laodicea.

Some people are poor on the outside but rich on the inside, rich in faith and good works, rich in privileges, rich in promises and deeds of gift, rich in hope, rich in what will one day come to them. Spiritual riches are usually the reward of hard work. The diligent hand makes rich. When there is spiritual plenty, outward poverty can be borne more easily. And when God’s people are made poor in outward things for Christ’s sake and for a good conscience, he makes it up to them with spiritual riches, which are far more satisfying and lasting.

Second, Christ knows their sufferings: “I know your tribulation and your poverty.” This means the persecution they endured, even to the taking of their goods. Those who want to be faithful to Christ must expect many troubles in this world. But Jesus Christ takes special notice of all their troubles. In all their suffering, he suffers with them. He will repay trouble to those who trouble them, but to those who are troubled he will give rest with himself.

Third, he knows the wickedness and lies of their enemies: “I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not.” These were people who claimed to be the only special covenant people of God, as the Jews once boasted, even after God had rejected them. Or they were people trying to restore Jewish rites and ceremonies, which were now not only old, but set aside. Such people may claim that only they are the church of God in the world, when in truth they are the synagogue of Satan.

Notice that, as Christ has a church in the world, the spiritual Israel of God, the devil also has his synagogue. Any gathering set up against the truths of the gospel, and spreading deadly errors, is a synagogue of Satan. Any gathering set up against the purity and spiritual nature of gospel worship, and spreading human ideas and rites that never came from God, is also a synagogue of Satan. The devil rules over such assemblies, works in them, serves his interests through them, and receives dreadful honor from them.

For such groups to call themselves the church or Israel of God is blasphemy. God is greatly dishonored when his name is used to support Satan’s work. He deeply resents this blasphemy, and he will justly punish those who keep doing it.

Fourth, Christ foreknows the future trials of his people, warns them ahead of time, and arms them for what is coming. He warns them of future trials: “The devil is about to throw some of you into prison, and you will have tribulation” (Revelation 2:10). God’s people must expect one trouble after another in this world, and often their troubles grow heavier. They had already been made poor through suffering, and now they must be imprisoned. It is the devil who stirs up his instruments, wicked people, to persecute God’s people. Tyrants and persecutors are the devil’s tools, though they also follow their own evil anger and do not know they are being driven by devilish hatred.

Christ also arms them for these coming troubles. First, he gives counsel: “Do not fear any of those things.” This is not only a command, but a word that gives strength. It does not merely forbid weak fear, it also quiets it and gives the soul courage. Second, he shows how their suffering will be eased and limited. It will not fall on all of them, only on some, those who can best bear it and who may need to be visited and comforted by the rest. It will not last forever, but for a set time, ten days. It will not be endless trouble, because the time will be shortened for the sake of the chosen ones. It will also be a test, not a destruction, so that their faith, patience, and courage may be proved, strengthened, and shown to honor and glory.

Third, he gives a glorious reward for faithfulness: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Notice the certainty of the reward: “I will give you.” He has said it, and he is able to do it. He has promised it, and he will keep his promise. They will receive the reward from his own hand, and none of their enemies will be able to seize it from him or knock it off their heads. Second, notice how fitting the reward is. It is a crown to answer their poverty, their faithfulness, and their struggle.

A crown of life is the reward for those who stay faithful even to death, who keep faith until they die, and who give up their very lives for Christ. The life that is worn out in his service, or laid down for his cause, will be repaid with another life, far better than this one, and eternal.

The conclusion of this message also calls for everyone to listen. All people, all the world, should hear what passes between Christ and his churches, how he praises them, comforts them, rebukes their failures, and rewards their faithfulness. It concerns everyone on earth to notice how God deals with his own people, because the whole world can learn wisdom and instruction from it.

There is also a gracious promise for the Christian who conquers: “He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death” (Revelation 2:11). We should notice that there is not only a first death, but also a second death, a death that comes after the body has died.

This second death is far worse than the first, both in its suffering and in how long it lasts. It is the eternal death of the soul, dying and yet never coming to an end, with no comfort to lessen its agony. It is truly harmful, indeed deadly, to all who come under it.

Christ will save all his faithful servants from this destructive death. The second death will have no power over those who share in the first resurrection. The first death will not harm them, and the second death will not harm them either.