This is the verse by verse audio teaching of Revelation 2:8-11. Smyrna was the persecuted church and Jesus had no correction or rebuke for this church. The First and the Last means that Jesus is God based on Isaiah 44:6. Since He died and came to life again, it assures persecuted believers that if they are killed they will also come to life if they are killed. The believers are Smryna were under intense persecution, lived in abject poverty, and endured bitter insults and mockery. Jesus knew what they were going through. It is a great tragedy to see that the Jews, God's original chosen people, are now the great persecutors of God's church. We are not to fear persecution or man; we are to fear God, because He has the power to cast us into hell! One of the most famous statements in the book of Revelation is "be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." In persecution, our main requirement is to be loyal and faithful to Jesus. If we overcome and conquer, we will not be touched or hurt by the second death, which is the lake of fire. The lecture notes with homework and PowerPoint file are above.