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Revelation 2

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

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 are the synagogue of Satan.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

And I will give him the morning star.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

What does Revelation 2:8 mean?

Explanation

Revelation 2:8 is a part of the message to the seven churches in Asia Minor in the Book of Revelation, a New Testament text that consists of apocalyptic literature.

The verse introduces the message to the church in Smyrna.

"The angel of the church" is often interpreted to mean the leader or messenger of the Christian community in Smyrna.

The phrase "These things saith the first and the last" identifies the speaker as Jesus Christ, using titles that speak to his divinity and eternal existence.

The declaration "which was dead, and is alive," explicitly refers to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, affirming the core Christian belief in Jesus's victory over death and his role as the living savior.

Top Rated Revelation Books

Historical Context

Smyrna, known as modern-day İzmir in Turkey, was an important city in the early Christian era.

It was one of the principal cities of Roman Asia and a center of commerce and culture.

During the time Revelation was written, Christians in Smyrna, like many others across the Roman Empire, were facing persecution.

The Book of Revelation, generally believed to have been written by John the Apostle while in exile on the island of Patmos, was intended to provide encouragement and guidance to these persecuted Christian communities.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, the verse underlines important characteristics of Christ.

The titles "the first and the last" echo the language used in the Old Testament to describe God, suggesting the divine nature of Christ in Christian theology.

The reference to Jesus' death and resurrection is a testament to his role in salvation according to Christian belief.

This verse reassures the church in Smyrna that Jesus, who overcame death, is sovereign and eternal, giving them hope amidst their persecution.

Practical Applications

The teachings of Revelation 2:8 offer several applications for daily life.

First, they encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith despite trials and tribulations.

The reminder of Jesus' triumph over death serves to strengthen believers during difficult times.

It also exhorts church leaders to be faithful messengers, leading with the awareness of Christ's sovereignty and presence.

Cross-References

Revelation 1:17 - "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:"

Revelation 1:18 - "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."
Isaiah 44:6 - "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God."

Language Study

In the original Greek, key words include:

"ἄγγελος" (angelos) commonly translated as "angel" but also means "messenger."
"πρῶτος" (protos) meaning "first," and "ἔσχατος" (eschatos) meaning "last," emphasizing the supremacy and eternity of Christ.
"νεκρὸς" (nekros) meaning "dead," and "ζῶν" (zon) meaning "living" or "alive," underscoring the themes of death and resurrection.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Within the cultural and religious context of the time, the themes of resurrection from the dead and a deity that overcomes death are also present in various mythologies, including the stories of Osiris in Egyptian mythology and Dionysus in Greek mythology.

However, in Christian understanding, the resurrection of Jesus is a historical and once-for-all event central to the faith, as opposed to the cyclical or symbolic stories of resurrection in pagan myths.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understandings do not support the concept of resurrection from the dead as described in Christian theology.

However, some scholars and scientists explore the intersection of science and religion, considering how religious experiences and beliefs might intersect with psychological and neurological states.

The discussion of life after death continues in various interdisciplinary studies, although it generally remains a matter of faith rather than empirical science.

commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have provided commentaries on Revelation 2:8:

William Barclay notes the rich symbolism in the titles of Christ, emphasizing his eternity and the continuity between the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith.
Craig S.

Keener, in his "NIV Application Commentary," explains that the reference to Jesus' death and resurrection is meant to offer hope and courage to persecuted believers by showing that Jesus himself triumphed over the ultimate enemy, death.

G.K.

Beale in "The New International Greek Testament Commentary" discusses the use of Old Testament language to affirm the divinity of Christ and to connect the suffering of the Smyrna church to a larger redemptive history.

Revelation 2

Revelation 2

What does Revelation 2:8 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Revelation Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Revelation 2:8 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Revelation Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?