Smyrna's Works, Tribulation and Poverty Revelation 2:9

After John the apostle saw the vision of Jesus in chapter one of “Revelation”, he began to write to the “seven churches in Asia”. He started with the church located in “Ephesus” and then addressed the “church of Smyrna”. In chapter two and verse eight of Revelation, John shared how Jesus told the “church of Smyrna”, “I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty” where we read:

I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

The verse begins, “I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich)” John began with Jesus' words, “I know” which means “Jesus perceives, notices, discerns, discovers and observes” “your works” or “the church in Smyrna's business, employment and that which they were occupied” “and tribulation” which means “affliction, trouble, anguish, persecution and burdened”, “and poverty” or “beggary and the condition of one destitute and abundance”, (“but” which means “moreover and” “you are rich” or “the church in Smyrna was wealthy, abounding and abundantly supplied”). Jesus knew the activities, “persecutions” and “destitution” of the “church of Smyrna”, however, He concluded them to be “wealthy and abounding”.

The verse continues, “and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” John added the words, “and I know” or “Jesus also perceived, noticed, discerned, discovered and observed” “the blasphemy” which means “the railing, evil speaking, slander, detraction and speech injurious to their name” “of them” or “concerning the people” “which say” which means “who speak, declare, utter and proclaim that” “they are Jews” or “they belong to the Jewish nation as respect to birth, origin and religion”, “and are not” which means “they are not Jews”, “but” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, yes and moreover” “are the synagogue” or “are the assembly together of men” “of Satan” which means “pertaining to the prince of evil spirits and the inveterate adversary of God and Christ whose name means accuser”. Jesus also knew the “railing and evil speaking” which was spoken against the “church of Smyrna” by people claiming they were “Jews” but were rather of “Satan's assembly” of gathered men.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we see how Jesus knew the “troubles, persecution and poverty” of the “church of Smyrna” as well as when they faced people who were “railing and speaking evil” against them. Although they faced all these things, Jesus surmised that they were “rich” or “wealthy and abundantly supplied”. The reason is because they were “spiritually blessed” even though they were not materially or temporarily blessed. God desires an “eternal and everlasting life” for every person, and those who receive His Son Jesus as their “Savior and Lord” are “rich” toward God. Let it be known. Jesus knows our troubles and difficulties in this life, and He is willing and able to supply all we need for an “eternal” life.

Next time John begins to write, “I know your works, tribulation and poverty”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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