Revelation 2:8-11 (the church in Smyrna)

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your Son for us so that we may receive a crown of life. Help us to know You and Your Son and Your Holy Spirit better through our study of Your Word, and also strengthen Your Church, including all of Your missionaries, pastors and church leaders, and all those being persecuted for Your Son's name, including in North Korea, China, Africa and Muslim lands, and Christians here like Peter Vlaming who have lost their jobs for not compromising on Your Word, and keep Chinese leaders from corrupting Your Word in Chinese-language Bibles and help believers in North Korea and China, including children, to know You and meet in the truth of Your Word. Help us also as we face living in this time and place which is more and more rejecting Your Son and in which evil is so often called good and good evil, lies are called true and the truth called lies, and false accusers abound, as Satan's temporary grip on this world is increasing, and in which coldness is growing in many churches and those with the spirit of the tare and the spirit of the hireling so often have the loudest voices. Help us also to follow Your direction on how we are to live each day, not depending on our own sight or own understanding but on You, and help, too, our leaders in the world, including the Trumps and Pences, and help our nation also so that many hearts here turn back to You and many more souls are saved. Help and protect also children who are being abused and children in the womb and those fighting to protect them. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

(the church in Smyrna)

Whatever this addition to the article title means, the letter is written to the angel, who was the principal human messenger assigned to the congregation at Smyrna, and it is about the behavior of that person. It is not about the whole church except as indicated in verse 10.

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