Homilist Revelation 2:8-11 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things said the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;… I. The NATURE of the appeal: "Be faithful." Faithfulness is (1) Due to Christ; (2) Possible to all; (3) All-pervasive. II. The RANGE of the appeal: Be thou faithful unto death. Faith should be — (1) Superior to circumstances — Tribulation; Death. (2) Independent of others: "thou." (3) Of life-long duration: unto death. III. The ENFORCEMENT of the appeal: I will give thee," etc. There is another sphere of life, with reality and splendour of reward, and the reward itself will be — (1) Appropriate, in character; Faithfulness crowned; "death" — "life." (2) Personal, in enjoyment: "I will give thee." (3) Certain, in attainment; because (a) gratuitous in its vouchsafement: "give;" and (b) definite in its promise: "I will." (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; |
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