To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life.
We now proceed to the second epistle sent to another of the Asian churches, where, as before, observe, I. The preface or inscription in both parts. 1. The superscription, telling us to whom it was more expressly and immediately directed: To the angel of the church in Smyrna, a place well known at this day by our merchants, a city of great trade and wealth...
Commenting on Revelation 2:8-11
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write,.... Of the city of Smyrna; see Gill on Rev 1:11. That there was a church of Christ here is not to be doubted, though by whom it was founded is not certain; very likely by the Apostle Paul, who was in those parts, and by whose means all Asia heard the Gospel of Christ, Act 19:10.
Verse 8. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write. On the meaning of the word angel, . These things saith the first and the last. , . Which was dead, and is alive. . The idea is, that he is a living Saviour; and there was a propriety in referring to that fact here from the nature of the promise which he...