Revelation
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 In Smyrna
-- Click To Expand/Collapse Bible Verses -- Rev ch2:v8-11
Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Rev 2:9 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.
Rev 2:10 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.
Rev 2:11 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.
(KJV)
Jesus identifies Himself as the resurrection: the angel is to be tried his whole life until death under accusation and slander of the devil. We should assure ourselves that Jesus knowing the full cycle of the angel is in full knowledge of all his deeds, his troubles and his lack of fiduciary substance. (However the angel is rich in doctrine – built on the rock of Christ.) Thus, in stating His ability to sustain the angel in life AND death the words of Jesus assure the angel that he is able to overcome this trial.
The angel, now in the church and recognising the false doctrine present therein is assured by Christ that there is a source of it within the church, the synagogue of satan as identified here. Jesus knows whom is whom and the angel is encouraged to be firm in holding to his own doctrine in the face of the devil’s devices of speech. I am immediately put in mind to “be sober, be vigilant – for the devil goes forth as a lion roaring in his strength, seeking those whom he may devour.”
That “some of you” are cast into tribulation ten times, we may infer (knowing there is one angel whom is the Lord’s right hand referred to as seven stars) that the angel has been tested under the image system as to whether he will overcome the false doctrines of the kingdoms from Egypt through to the USA that were survived by Israel and grasped upon as the false doctrine of the synagogue of satan. The angel we would assume has moved from church to church and as the same seven stars has found similar trial in each "church" from the same source. The plural states that several of the seven stars are under trial at the same time in the same way. (That’s all, one star tried until death.)
The “prison” is constructed of the four churches (as earthly elements in the seven cycle - Laodicea, Ephesus, Smyrna and Thyatira.) also under the transpositions made with the fallen star with the key to the bottomless pit. (As upon Sardis) The result? Being imprisoned in those four churches and turned back every time the fifth is entered. (By staying within constructs that we would call “churches” - a foolish virgin as the parable would put it.)
“Some of you” also refers to plural - the stars in the right hand – i.e. the first five churches including “sardis” whom is more or less half in and half out. (Although the angel is one or the other there.)
The reward for being faithful until death is granted for being firm in good doctrine and overcoming the “refining” churches, and at death, rewarded with a crown of life. The reward that He will not be hurt by the second death is a reference to the later statement that those whom have part in the first resurrection are not under the power of the second death. (This is not strict equality, but it leaves the possibility of safe election open for later.)
The second church we admit fixes the seven cycle under the steps of the angel, and upon the one reference octal. (using our familiar sun octal assuming “a” is unity and is identified as laodicea), the cycle (a,b,d,…..) is easily completed to (a,b,d,c,f,g,e). This gift is truly a “crown of life” and an “open door no man can shut”.
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