And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Christ is the First and the Last, before all things were made and Judge of all at the end. He died for our sins and rose for our justification; by His death He purchased salvation, by His life He applies it to us. An unchangeable Mediator, yesterday, today, and forever.
AI summary
Commenting on Revelation 2:8-11
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write,.... Of the city of Smyrna; see Gill on Rev 1:11. That there was a church of Christ here is not to be doubted, though by whom it was founded is not certain; very likely by the Apostle Paul, who was in those parts, and by whose means all Asia heard the Gospel of Christ, Act 19:10.
Verse 8. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write. On the meaning of the word angel, . These things saith the first and the last. , . Which was dead, and is alive. . The idea is, that he is a living Saviour; and there was a propriety in referring to that fact here from the nature of the promise which he...