“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
Comment: The believers in Smyrna were poor in material things because they were ostracized by the powerful employers, who worshipped the local popular idols. It seems as if the Jews should have been sympathetic to the Christians, after all Jesus was the promised Messiah of the Jewish Holy Writings! The Jews had sold themselves out to ‘Satan’ the master who controlled the unions and organizations in order that they could be employed and become wealthy. In this message the believers were promised even worse days to come – with imprisonment and the threat of death! The believers were encouraged in a way that often seems hollow by the world. They might even be slain for their faithfulness to Jesus but they were promised protection from the second death, an obvious reference to the Judgement which will come to all on the other side of the veil of physical (the first) death!
Prayer: I pray my Father for the thousands upon thousands who are persecuted for their faith in You today. Please be their their strength and encouragement.
As I read it! 