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Revelation 2:9
ESV “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
NIV I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
NASB ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the slander by those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
CSB I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
NLT 'I know about your suffering and your poverty — but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan.
KJV 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.

What does Revelation 2:9 mean?

The name "Smyrna" is closely related to "myrrh." When certain plants are crushed, they emit a fragrant resin, called myrrh. Similarly, when the church at Smyrna suffered, it produced a characteristic reaction. Jesus does not bring a single criticism against this church in His letter. Apparently, the suffering of this church—the "testing" of hardship—produced exactly the kind of result Christ expects from His followers. Through suffering, the church remained pure.

In addition to its sufferings, the church at Smyrna experienced poverty. Likely Rome had confiscated the Christians' property and goods. However Jesus says they are rich. They had treasure in heaven! The believers at Smyrna were under attack not only from Rome but also from militant apostate Jews and from the Devil himself. Jesus called this particular group "a synagogue of Satan." This reference is very specific; Jesus is not referring to all Jews, or all synagogues, but only to a specific faction which apparently plagued the churches of both Smyrna and Philadelphia (Revelation 3:9).

Satan is mentioned in four of Jesus' seven letters (Revelation 2:9, 13, 24; 3:9). These references ought to increase our awareness of Satan's antagonism of believers. The apostle Peter urged: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist Him, firm in your faith" (1 Peter 5:8–9).
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