Shofar Day 5 Dear Believers In Smyrna: Digging Deeper
January 23, 2026
Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Revelation 2:8-10
I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer.
Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
The Original Intent
1) What is the significance of Jesus calling Himself the “First and the Last?” (verse 8)
The church at Smyrna is only referenced twice in Scripture, both times in the book of Revelation. (Revelation 1:11, Revelation 2:8) While the Bible may be mostly silent about the city and says little about the early church there, Christ’s words about Himself and His exhortation to the church at Smyrna reveal much depth we can study. His opening words here identify Himself unequivocally as “the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life.”
As God, Jesus Christ is and was eternally present. From before the first description of creation’s beginning, Jesus was there. (Genesis 1:1-2) John’s written introduction to his gospel bears witness to Christ’s deity and divine nature in further support of this statement. (John 1:1-18) Unlike His created work of humanity, God alone is uncreated. He always has been, and always will be. (Psalm 90:2, Isaiah 40:28, 1 Timothy 1:17) He has no beginning and no end. (John 8:58, Genesis 21:33, 1 John 5:11-13)
Through the prophet Isaiah, God declared this to be true of Himself; Jesus’ words in Revelation echo the words of His Father, centuries before He uttered them to John. (Isaiah 44:6-8) Underscoring His initial statement to John and further asserting His divinity, Christ added, “the one who was dead and came to life.”
Some external sources and commentaries point to parallels that may have been significant for the church at Smyrna, but by staying within the pages of Scripture, we are assured of His deity through His own words, as evidenced by the incredible prophecies He fulfilled in accomplishing this one statement. (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Psalm 16, Acts 2:22-36)
The Everyday Application
1) What is the significance of Jesus calling Himself the “First and the Last?” (verse 8)
When I consider the reality that Jesus is God, having no beginning or end, I am once again struck by how completely “other” He is to us. There is nothing else in our scope of existence comparable to Him, although all things point to Him. Everything has a beginning and an end. The sun, the moon, the stars, the planets. Every human, every creature. Every object. Humanity was originally crafted from dust, and to dust we will return. (Genesis 3:19, Psalm 90:3, Ecclesiastes 12:7)
This is not the case with Jesus. He was there at the beginning, because He had no beginning. After all things come to their end, He will remain, because He has no end. All was created by Him and through Him. I can rest in the comfort and knowledge that He alone is God. There is no other. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He testified about His divinity and identity Himself, and His words are true.
All of Scripture verifies His testimony and existence. The details of His virgin birth, sinless life, death, and resurrection fulfill over 300 prophecies made across thousands of years. All of this proof points me to the truth I can rest in: Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God, the First and the Last.
He is my King, He is alive, and He cares for me. He has no beginning or end, but I do, and my beginning, middle, and end are in His sovereign hands. Because I have repented of trying to live life my own way and have turned to follow Christ, I am covered by His shed blood. My sins are forgiven; I have peace because I trust in Him.
The Original Intent
2) Why did Jesus tell the church of Smyrna, suffering in affliction and poverty, that they were rich? (verse 9)
Having just asserted His authority and divinity with stunning clarity, King Jesus uttered His next words to John with compassion and intention, “I know…” The church at Smyrna was enduring great affliction and suffering. The words describe a church under incredible pressure and extreme poverty. More than simply getting by with little, this church consisted of truly destitute people; they had nothing.
In just a few words, the Creator, the One through whom all things were and are and will be, the First and the Last, again showed His incredible love for His people by showing them they were seen in a merciful act of true encouragement. I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich.
The church at Smyrna wasn’t forgotten. Their struggles, circumstances, and persistence in faith were seen by the King of kings and Lord of lords. The One who was, and is, and will be bridged the gap between their perceived isolation and the temptation to feel forgotten, reminding them that He saw both their physical and spiritual state with equal clarity. Further, He encouraged them to remember that their physical state did not reflect their eternal reality.
The Everyday Application
2) Why did Jesus tell the church of Smyrna, suffering in affliction and poverty, that they were rich? (verse 9)
When I think about the kind of affliction and poverty the church at Smyrna likely faced, my own struggles seem pale in comparison. Nonetheless, I can be encouraged by Christ’s words. The truth that earthly circumstances and situations do not define our eternal destiny or victory in Christ stands firm and is true for all believers. Regardless of what struggles and challenges we face, we know that Christ is working in the midst of those situations to sanctify us. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, 2 Timothy 2:20-26, Romans 5:3-5)
Whatever struggle I face, Jesus is also El Roi, the God Who sees. (Genesis 16:13, Psalm 139:1-4, Proverbs 15:3) He intimately knows every detail of the lives of all His people, and I am one of those people. He knows, He sees, He cares. He is pleased when He calls me to continue in faith, for His glory, and I respond to His call. (Hebrews 11:6, Romans 12:2, Matthew 5:14-16) Just as He demonstrated in His words to the church at Smyrna, He never forgets. He is glorified in our faithful following of His life and way.
The Original Intent
3) What does Christ mean to be “faithful to the point of death”? (verse 10)
Jesus saw their present state and knew the church at Smyrna would soon face an increase in persecution; His word of encouragement and exhortation to remain faithful was issued at the perfect time. While Scripture doesn’t elaborate on the exact details of their situation, Christ’s acknowledgement of their physical and spiritual state implies they possessed a faithfulness worth commending.
His words weren’t mere blind encouragement or a careless call to achieve some unattainable goal. This was a rallying cry to weary and worn believers with battered hearts and minds, reminding them of their purpose, calling them to follow in their Savior’s footsteps faithfully. Who else could more genuinely encourage a brother or sister to be faithful to the point of death other than the One Who had first been faithful to the point of death, Himself?
Jesus knew the scorn, abandonment, persecution, and horrors of being faithful to the point of death. In His kindness, He reminded His faithful church at Smyrna that they were not alone, and if they persisted in faith, He would see them through to His promise of eternal life and victory.
The Everyday Application
3) What does Christ mean to be “faithful to the point of death”? (verse 10)
When God called Jesus to walk the way of the cross, being faithful to the point of death, even death on a cross, Jesus obeyed fully. (Philippians 2:7-8) As a parent, I have often used the phrase, “Right away, all the way,” when teaching my children what obedience means and looks like. However, when I measure those words against Christ’s example, I see some things are lacking in my “go-to” phrase.
Yes, it is important to obey “all the way,” which we see referenced in Christ’s words admonishing the church at Smyrna to be “faithful to the point of death.” However, even Christ prayed and asked that the cup might be taken from Him. He has empathy for the one who is called to die to self and follow in His footsteps; we can be encouraged by His reminder that when we are faithful to the end, we will be crowned victorious for His glory. Praise God!
Study the GT Focus Journey Theme in book format!
“Shofar” is available in the GT Bookstore!
This Week's Lock Screen
Authentically living out a life of worship to the God who rescued us from darkness requires accountability and intentionality. Join a GT POD and take the next step in your faith journey!
