Revelation 2:8-9a
Revelation 2, Page 8

Re-evaluation Translation
2:8  And for the arising year, relate this message to Israel; Say these things to the first [Judah] through the last [Naphtali], which have been dead, and are now alive;
2:9  I know thy doings, and difficulties, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are gathered as opponents.

Bible, KJV Translation
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;

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.

Significant Words and Comments:
       
Revelation 2:8-11: The message to the second Year of Returning (Darius): Arising Year, 30 March 2006 through 19 March 2007, regards Israel’s arising in their identity and understanding of Yehuveh’s instruction.

Commentary on Revelation 2:8 (30 November 2007): “Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write” in The Interlinear Bible simply reads “for the arising year communicate this message.”
       
“These things saith ” is simply  “this says . . . .” or “this describes . . . .” Things is a supplied word. As in Revelation 2:1, the Greek describes items mentioned in Revelation 1.
       
“First and the last, . . . and is alive,” is Israel, as discussed in note on Revelation 1:17.

Commentary on Revelation 2:9 (30 November 2007): As is His pattern, Yehuveh begins His message to this year with commendations: “I know thy works,” I know what you are doing. This is the same language as in Revelation 2:2.
       
“Tribulation” is discussed in the note on Revelation 1:9.
       
“Poverty, (but thou art rich) comes from a Greek word [Strong's Hebrew Dictinary entry G4432] meaning “poverty, beggary; . . . the condition of one destitute of riches and abundance.” In Genesis 45:11, the severe seven-year famine of Joseph’s time threatened poverty. Proverbs also associates poverty with indolence; selfish greed and oppression; drunkenness and indulgence; vanity, ignorance, poor judgment, and mismanaged resources [Proverbs 6:11; 11:24; 13:18; 20:13; 23:21; 24:34; 28:19, 22].
        However,
in these Years of Returning (Darius) to Yehuveh, His people will be poor for very different reasons. In the destruction of this world’s systems, Yehuveh employs poverty to enable us to fully transfer our alliegiance to Him: “I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of Yehuveh.” Zephaniah 3:12.
        In the current economic system, most
“wealth” has been “gotten by vanity,” and it is Yehuveh’s purpose that it “shall be diminished” and removed. Proverbs 13:11; Ecclesiastes 2:26.
        Eventually, what remains as true and retainable wealth will come into the hands of His people:
“For Elohim giveth to a man that is good in His sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner He giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before Elohim.” “The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” Proverbs 13:22; Hosea 12:6.
        Yehuveh, then, reminds His people that though they may currently be lacking in an accumulation of materials goods,
they have the true riches of knowing Him and trusting in their Elohim continually. “They that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Yehuveh, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.” Psalms 9:10.
        If we have a continual stream [flow of Yehuveh’s provisions and resources], as Elijah had Brook Cherith, we do not need a lake or river to meet our needs.
Yehuveh will prosper His people in due time, but the poverty of this time allows Him to redirect our dependence to true and reliable resources. 1 Kings 17:3, 5.

       
For information on “blasphemy,” “say they are Jews,” and “Satan,” continue . . . .


Gael Bataman
Originally Written:             30 November 2007
Latest Update:                   11 June 2011


 
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