Be Faithful to God, Because He is Faithful To You

Revelation 2:8    and to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, "These things says the First and the Last, who was  dead, and came to life.

    

      Smyrna faced strong persecution from the Jews who opposed their new found faith in Jesus.  The Jewish leaders did not believe Jesus was the messiah.  They believed this new Jesus movement was a threat to their own religion.   John, as a disciple of Jesus, knew Jesus was the Messiah and that He arose from the grave on the third day after His death on the cross.  John saw and talked to Jesus and watched as Jesus ascended back into heaven to be with His Father. .

   

  John encouraged the church at Smyrna to be faithful even unto death.  Many Christians today are willing to die for their faith in Jesus, just as they died in Smyrna because they would not give up their faith in Jesus.  In AD 155 Polycarp was martyred in Smyrna.  He was an apprentice of John.  Polycarp refused to blaspheme the name of Jesus and was burned alive.   When he was asked to deny Jesus replied, "Eighty six years I served Him and He had done me no wrong.  How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"

    

Jesus repeats, "I am the First and the Last which was dead, and is alive.  We should not fear those who can only destroy the body.  Just as Jesus arose from death, so will we arise from the dead and live with Jesus for ever and ever.