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In the following commentary, words in CAPS indicate the biblical text, while words in lower case indicate the commentary on that text.

Studies in Revelation

by Dr. John H. Roller

Chapter 2

Verses 8-11

Revelation 2:8

TO THE ANGEL OF THE ASSEMBLY IN SMYRNA (representing the Persecution Age, from AD 102, when John, the last of the original 12 Apostles, died – systematic, organized, government-sponsored persecution of Christianity began very soon after that – to AD 313, when the Edict of Milan “legalized” Christianity) WRITE: ‘THE FIRST AND THE LAST, WHO WAS DEAD AND HAS COME TO LIFE (Jesus, as described in Revelation 1:17-18), SAYS THESE THINGS:

Revelation 2:9

“I KNOW YOUR WORKS, OPPRESSION, AND YOUR POVERTY (in earthly, material possessions) – (BUT YOU ARE RICH) (in the things of faith and of the Spirit) – AND THE BLASPHEMY OF THOSE WHO SAY THEY ARE JEWS, AND THEY ARE NOT, BUT ARE A SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN. Remember, the book of Revelation is a prophetic message written in symbols. In this case, literal Jews (descendants of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham) are used as a symbol for Christians (believers in Jesus, the Jewish Messiah). The Jewish synagogue (congregation) is used as a symbol for the Christian church (congregation). So the real meaning of this statement is, “[I know] the blasphemy of those who say they are Christians, and they are not, but are a church of Satan [rather than of God].” The second century began to see the rise of “Christian” cults – groups of people who claimed to be Christians, but in reality were worshipping some other god(s). From Jesus’ point of view, there are only two possibilities: if you aren’t worshipping Him, you’re worshipping Satan, whether you realize it or not.

Revelation 2:10

DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE THINGS WHICH YOU ARE ABOUT TO SUFFER. (He says “about to” because the Persecution Age had not yet begun at the time when Jesus dictated this letter to John – AD 96 – but it began very soon after that, in AD 102.) BEHOLD, THE DEVIL IS ABOUT TO THROW SOME OF YOU INTO PRISON, THAT YOU MAY BE TESTED; AND YOU WILL HAVE OPPRESSION FOR TEN DAYS (representing either 10 separate “waves” of severe persecution, taking place at 10 different times throughout the Persecution Age, or the very last 10 years of the Persecution Age, AD 303-313, when the most severe “wave” of persecution of the entire age took place). BE FAITHFUL (to Me), even TO (until) your DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE CROWN OF LIFE (in the Resurrection).

Revelation 2:11

HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR (see Matthew 11:15, 13:9 and 13:43; Mark 4:9; and Luke 8:8 and 14:35 – this was a ‘favorite’ expression of Jesus’) WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE ASSEMBLIES. HE WHO OVERCOMES WON’T BE HARMED BY THE SECOND DEATH.” (They may be “harmed” by the first death, when the Roman authorities came to torture and kill them, but they won’t be harmed by the second death – which we will read about much later in this book – because that’s the punishment God reserves for those who refuse to acknowledge and obey Him.)’