Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 2:8

"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived [again]:" — Revelation 2:8 (ASV)

The speaker identifies himself as “him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again” (cf. comments on 1:17–18). The “First and Last” might remind those suffering persecution and rejection from their countrymen (vv.9– 10) that the one they belonged to is the Lord of history and the Creator. He is in control regardless of appearances of evil. This term may allude by contrast to Smyrna’s claim to be the “first” of Asia in beauty and emperor loyalty, whereas Christians at Smyrna were concerned with him who was truly first in everything. He who is “the First and the Last” is also the one “who died and came to life again.” To a congregation where imprisonment and death impended, the prisoner who died and came back to life again was offering the crown of life and protection from the second death (vv.8, 10–11).