A Revelation Invitation

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. …

The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’” (Revelation 2:8,11b ESV)

We hear people make boastful claims all the time. Politicians boast of what they will do for us. Professional athletes boast of what they will accomplish on their fields of play. Musical performers and actors boast of the greatness of their talents. So much of what these people say about themselves or is said about them by others is delusional. In the ancient world kings and emperors were never reticent about highlighting their abilities and greatness. They would even boast that they were gods. So what do we make of Jesus’ boasts above? First and last? Died and came to life? Not even the delusional make such grandiose claims as did Jesus.

Jesus emphasizes two things in his self-designation to the church in Smyrna. He refers to himself as “the first and the last.” He is repeating what he called himself in 1:17, a moniker that Isaiah quotes from the mouth of YHWH in 44:6. “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god” (ESV). Coming from a peasant who walked the shores of Galilee, those words would be delusional if not true. This claim from the mouth of a human was an affront to any Jew in good standing at his synagogue. For such witness the leading Jewish citizens of Smyrna persecuted the Christians. Because of such treatment these Jews earned the epithet “synagogue of Satan”. They believed they were defending God, but by opposing his Messiah they were in fact opposing him.

Jesus also reminded the church that he was the one “who died and came to life.” They could expect to suffer as Jesus did before his death. They could also expect reward, the new life as Jesus received after his death. In the middle of history Jesus had risen from the dead as new creation never to die again. In this letter Jesus warned them that they were about to suffer much. Even if their suffering ended in death, that is, the first death, they would not be hurt by the second death.

What is it that we pursue in life? Do we seek comfort? Do we covet power? Do we crave approval? Are we desperate for control? These are all elusive desires that end in death if not kept in their proper places. If we conquer as our Lord conquered, we will share with him the greatest promise of all—we too will be raised to new life and not be hurt by the second death.

Dear Lord, you are the first and the last. You created life in the beginning. You were the first to experience new life at your resurrection. You promise this new life to me if I am faithful to you unto death as you were faithful to your father unto death. Nothing else compares to this ultimate promise. Amen.