Revelation 2:8-9; The Church in Smyrna (2)

Revelation 2:8-9 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 arethe synagogue of Satan.

The name “Smyrna” means “bitter”. It is a most appropriate description for the life of the Christians living there who experienced severe persecution and all the hardships that accompany it. Why did Jesus address Himself as “the first and the last, which was dead and is alive”? 

Revelation 1:17-18 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18I amhe that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

He is eternally God. He is the First and the Last, the Eternal One. He is the One that transcends time, He transcends space and He transcends creation, One Who is before all things and lives forever. He transcends even death and has come to life.

How can the eternal God who is beyond time and space and history actually die? But He did. He is telling the Christians there that even if they die in the persecution, they will not experience anything that He Himself has not experienced. Should they die, He is telling them they will not be cut off from His eternal resurrection power.

No matter what you are going through, Jesus is saying to you, I have been there. I know what you are going through. Jesus suffered the most unjust, the most severe, the most powerful persecution anyone ever suffered. He suffered death on the cross bearing the sins of the world, that is the supreme suffering and He is saying to them “was dead and I am (now) alive forevermore.” 

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. Amen.