The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life

  Good morning. And to the angel of the church in Smyrna (I forgot to mention this on the last church; these may or may not be literal angels - you don’t write letters to angels) write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. That’s pretty harsh. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation (probably not The Great Tribulation) for 10 days (in other words, a short time). Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. We will see what Jesus means by the second death when we get to chapter 20. Father help us to be faithful unto death and to not fear those who or what comes against us.

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