Notes on sections from the Letter to Smyrna:
Who was dead and came
to life—Jesus himself suffered under human courts and died. Yet he was vindicated by God the Father which
is what Jesus expects for the Smyrnans.
Suffering, poverty—The
Smyrnans are being persecuted and they are enduring severe poverty. It is likely that the poverty is a result of economic
sanctions because of their stand with Christ. If they stand with Jesus, they are being considered "atheists" by their Roman neighbors and business people. Thus, they can't gain any economic gain because of their "immoral" position.
But you are rich—The
Smyrnans are obtaining more honor and riches before God. So their state on earth doesn’t reflect their
true status in the heavens. This is as
Jesus said, that the lowly would be raised.
Note that this is the opposite of the church at Laodikia, who is
wealthy, but Jesus said that they are in poverty.
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