1. Poor, but rich (8-9)

Jesus is the First and the Last; he died and came to life again. Apart from him there is no other God (Isa 44:6). He spoke with authority to the believers of Smyrna who were being persecuted both by emperor-worshiping Gentiles and hostile Jews. They were materially poor and afflicted, but they were spiritually rich in love and faith.

2. The crown of life (10-11)

Jesus did not offer human sympathy to his suffering people. He reminds them and us that our real enemy is Satan. He charges them not to be afraid, even though they are slandered. He said, 'Be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.' And he promises that those who overcome will not be hurt by the second death. God is faithful and he wants his people to be faithful.

Application: Lord, thank you for giving me riches in Jesus. Help me to be faithful to you in large and in small things. Help me to be faithful even to the point of death.
One Word: Be faithful to death