Reading for April 15th

Read Revelation 2.8-11 In 2.8-11: The letter from the suffer to Smyrna: Do not fear tribulation. Snyna was a city of great wealth that had been destroyed and rebuilt. Its riches amid poverty is contrasted with the poverty amid riches at Laodicea (3.17). In verse 9: Slander probably refers to Jewish refusal to recognize John's community as part of the Jewish community, thus exposing them to Roman suspicions as a new religious group. John engages in similar slander by calling them those who say that they are Jews and are not. Synagogue of Satan is not anti-Semitic in this situation since John himself is claiming to be Jewish, but it soon becomes so in Christian tradition. In verse 10: Prison was not a punishment in the Roman world, but a place of detention until punishmnt could be melted out. Ten days indicate full and complete (ten) but relative short (days) time. For a ten-day mourning ritual connected with Smyna, see Iiiad 24.602ff. Crown of life refers to the garland given to victorius athletes. In verse 11: Second death is an idea that occurs only in revelation (see also 20.6, 14; 21.8). It is the opposite of particpating in the first resurrection and the same as the lake of fire. Comments or Questions..