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8. And unto the angel [messenger, John] of the
church in Smyrna [Young's, "myrrh, bitter," describing the
period of pagan persecution which was very bitter] write; These things saith the
first and the last [Jesus], which was dead, and is alive.
9. I
know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) [toward me] and
I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews [Israelites indeed, my
people] and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan [an assembly of
the adversary].
10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall
cast some of you into prison [or into the suppressed state], that ye may
be tried; and ye shall have great tribulation ten days [ten literal years of
persecution by Diocletian, from CE 303 to 313]: be thou faithful unto death, and I
will give thee the crown of life [immortality and rulership over the kings of the
earth].
11. He that hath an ear [a receptive and understanding mind], let
him hear what the Spirit [of promise] saith unto [all] the
churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of [or subject to]
the
second death. |
