Revelation 2:8-9

DISCOURSE: 2484
EPISTLE TO SMYRNA

Revelation 2:8. Unto the angel of the Church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works.

SMYRNA was at that time, next to Ephesus, the largest city in the Proconsular Asia. As in the former epistle we made the description of our blessed Lord a distinct subject for our consideration, so we shall do also in this epistle to Smyrna; deferring to another opportunity the subject matter of the epistle itself, except so far as the mention of it is necessary to the elucidation of our Lord’s character. The points which we propose to notice are,

I. The description given of our blessed Lord—

There are two things spoken of him; the one denoting his Godhead, the other his manhood.
He is “the first and the last”—
[Now, I would ask, Whom can these words designate, but the eternal and immutable Jehovah? In the Scriptures of the Old Testament he frequently describes himself by these very terms: “Who raised up the righteous man from the east, gave nations before him, and made him rule over kings? I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am He [Note: Isaiah 41:2; Isaiah 41:4.].” Again he says of himself, “Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am He: I am the first, I also am the last [Note: Isaiah 48:12.].” If it could be supposed that any but Jehovah should be the first source, and the last end of all, let another Scripture determine that point: “Thus saith the Lord (Jehovah), the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord (Jehovah) of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God. Is there a God besides me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any [Note: Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 44:8.].”]

He “was dead, and is alive”—
[This can refer to none but the Lord Jesus Christ, “who died for our sins, and rose again for our justification.”
But it may be asked, How can these two agree? I answer, the former title is again and again given him in this book of Revelation [Note: Revelation 1:8; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 22:11.]: and it is also repeatedly given in conjunction with the latter title. In the former chapter, where a full and large description is given of the person who appeared to John, He said of himself to John, “Fear not: I am the first, and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.” And, in my text, this is the very part of that description expressly selected to be addressed to the Church at Smyrna: “These things saith the first and the last, who was dead and is alive.” Here the parts cannot possibly be separated: you may as well say, that “he who was dead” is a different person from him “who is alive,” as disjoin, and apply to different persons, what is here said of him as God and as man. He is God and man in one person, “Emmanuel, God with us [Note: Matthew 1:23.].” He is the same person of whom the Prophet Isaiah spake, saying, “To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace [Note: Isaiah 9:6.].”]

Now, to have a just view of him in this complex character, is of infinite importance. And, to bring the subject before you, I will shew,

II.

The particular bearing which this description of our Lord has upon the main subject of the epistle—

In this epistle the Church of Smyrna is warned to expect bitter persecution; but the Saviour says to her, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer.” And in that precise part of his character which he brings before them, he says, in fact, ‘To dispel all fear of your persecutors, bear in mind,

1. ‘My all-controlling power—

[‘ “I am the first and the last:” your persecutors would have had no existence but for me; nor can they do any thing which shall not be over-ruled for my glory. The devil will stir up against you all his vassals; and they will lend themselves to him, as willing instruments to destroy you. But I will limit all their efforts; so that they shall not be able to effect any thing beyond what I will enable you to bear, and over-rule for your good.’ To this precise effect he speaks to all his Church by the Prophet Isaiah: “Behold, they shall gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. (Thou art afraid of the weapons which they are now forming for thy destruction: but) Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. (The very strength he is exerting, he derives from me: and I tell thee, that) No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper [Note: Isaiah 54:15.].”]

2. ‘The interest I take in thy welfare—

[‘ “For thee I died; and for thee I live.” It was altogether for the purpose of expiating thy guilt, that I assumed thy nature, and expired upon the cross: and it was in order to carry on and perfect thy salvation, that I rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven; where now I live, as thine advocate and intercessor; yea, and live too as the head over all things, that I may accomplish, both in thee and for thee, all that thy necessities require. Reflect on this; and then say, whether, “having myself suffered, being temped, I am not disposed to succour my tempted people [Note: Hebrews 2:18.];” and whether, having “all power committed to me in heaven and in earth,” “I will suffer any to pluck thee out of my hand [Note: John 10:28.]?” Are not my death and resurrection a sufficient pledge to you, that “none shall ever separate you from my love [Note: Romans 8:34.]?” Place, then, your confidence in me; and know, that, however your enemies may look upon you as “sheep appointed for the slaughter,” you shall, through me, be “more than conquerors over all [Note: Romans 8:36.].”]

3. ‘The honour and happiness that await thee—

[‘Thou art “predestinated by my Father to be conformed to my image [Note: Romans 8:29.].” Behold me, then, “as dying, and as yet alive;” yea, as living for ever at the right hand of God. This is the process that is prepared for thee. Whether thou be carried to death, or only to prison, it shall be equally a step to thine advancement to the very throne which I now occupy. Only “suffer with me, and thou shalt surely reign with me [Note: 2 Timothy 2:12.],” and “be glorified together [Note: Romans 8:17.].” And, when thou seest how “I have endured the cross and despised the shame, and am set down at the right hand of God [Note: Hebrews 12:2.],” wilt thou be afraid or ashamed to follow me? Look at the noble army of martyrs, who “loved not their lives unto death:” see them before the throne of God, and inquire how they came there. And my angel shall inform thee, “These all came out of great tribulation, and washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb: therefore are they before the throne of God [Note: Revelation 7:14.].” Be thou, then, a follower of them, even of those who through faith and patience now inherit the promises. Thou seest how I have recompensed their fidelity; and to thee I say, “Be thou faithful unto death; and I will give thee a crown of life [Note: ver. 10.].” ’]

As a fit improvement of this subject, learn, my brethren—

1. To contemplate and to estimate the character of Christ—

[In circumstances of trial, we are too apt to contemplate only the power of our adversaries, or our own weakness; whereas we should look chiefly, if not exclusively, to Him who reigns on high, and orders every thing according to his own sovereign will and pleasure. For thus saith the Lord: “Say ye not, ‘A confederacy,’ to all those to whom this people shall say, ‘A confederacy;’ neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid: but sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread; and he shall be to you for a sanctuary [Note: Isaiah 8:12.].” To act otherwise, is folly in the extreme. “Who art thou, that art afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be as grass; and forgettest the Lord thy Maker [Note: Isaiah 51:12.]?” Only have worthy thoughts of thy Lord and Saviour, and thou mayest defy all the efforts that either men or devils can make against thee [Note: Isaiah 50:7.]

2. To avail yourselves of his promised aid and support—

[He tells you, “I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on me, because he trusteth in me [Note: Isaiah 26:3.].” See how David was kept [Note: Psalms 11:1. Cite this.]; and how Paul [Note: Romans 8:38. Cite this also.], and thousands of others who have trusted in him [Note: Hebrews 13:5.]: and will not his grace be alike sufficient for you? Be it so, “You are weak. Then his strength shall be the more glorified in your weakness [Note: 2 Corinthians 12:9.].” But you are a mere “worm.” Still fear not; for “though a worm, thou shalt thresh the mountains [Note: Isaiah 41:14. Cite the whole of this.].” But thou canst do nothing. Then trust in Him; and he will do all things. For this is his word to every believing soul; “Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness [Note: Isaiah 41:10.].”]