Revelation 2:9 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. [kjv]
οιδα σου την θλιψιν και την πτωχειαν αλλα πλουσιος ει και την βλασφημιαν εκ των λεγοντων ιουδαιους ειναι εαυτους και ουκ εισιν αλλα συναγωγη του σατανα [gnt]
Jesus uses the Greek word translated as "
poverty" or "
poor" to mean those that are "
fallen" (the literal meaning of the word) and need the
Good News.
In what are they "
rich"?
The Greek word for "
synagogue", which is the source of the English word
"synogogue", can be a play on words meaning, literally, "
going together on the earth". The "
synagogue" of "
Satan" may not be restricted to the Jewish "
synagogue".
What does it mean for someone to "
say" that they are "
Jews"?
Revelation 2:10 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. [kjv]
μη μηδεν φοβου α μελλεις πασχειν ιδου μελλει βαλλειν ο διαβολος εξ υμων εις φυλακην ινα πειρασθητε και εχητε θλιψιν ημερων δεκα γινου πιστος αχρι θανατου και δωσω σοι τον στεφανον της ζωης [gnt]
Who should one "
fear"? Jesus poses this question and then answers it in Matthew.
The Greek word translated as "
prison" has a primary meaning of "
watch". In context, it can mean what is called a "
prison". Jesus uses this word for "
watch" to represent the place where the religious institution requires followers to be on a regular basis, such as the "
sanctuary" or "
alter" (same word in Greek).
The Greek word translated as "
tried", and sometimes translated as "
temptation" is that of a possibly deceptive "
examination" using things that you know or believe to be true.
Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [kjv]
και τω αγγελω τω ενσμυρνη εκκλησιας γραψον ταδε λεγει ο πρωτος και ο εσχατος ος εγενετο νεκρος και εζησεν [gnt]
Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [kjv]
και τω αγγελω τω ενσμυρνη εκκλησιας γραψον ταδε λεγει ο πρωτος και ο εσχατος ος εγενετο νεκρος και εζησεν [gnt]
Revelation 2:11 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. [kjv]
ο εχων ους ακουσατω τι το πνευμα λεγει ταις εκκλησιαις ο νικων ου μη αδικηθη εκ του θανατου του δευτερου [gnt]