Smyrna – The Persecuted Church - Revelation 2:8

Smyrna – The Persecuted Church

Revelation 2:8

SMYRNA – A.D. 100 – 312

THE SALUTATION

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life (2:8).

This was John’s fourth command to write.

The first and the Last – is an Old Testament title for God (Isaiah 44:6, 48:12; 41:4). Here the reference to Christ affirms His equality of nature with God. Jesus Christ transcends time, space, and the creation.

Who was dead and came to life – He died in His incarnate humanness as the perfect sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 12:3-4), but now has come to life by His resurrection (Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:15). Jesus Christ has an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16; Romans 6:9).