Revelation 2:8

“And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write, etc.] Of the city of Smyrna, (see Gill on “<660111>Revelation 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, (<441910>Acts 19:10). Some think the present angel or pastor of this church, was Polycarp, the disciple of John. Irenaeus f54, who knew him, says he was appointed bishop of Smyrna by the apostles. Here he suffered martyrdom, and was buried: the large amphitheatre, in which he was put to death, is still to be seen, and his sepulchre is yet preserved in this…”

“Smyrna--in Ionia, a little to the north of Ephesus. POLYCARP, martyred in A.D. 168, eighty-six years after his conversion, was bishop, and probably "the angel of the Church in Smyrna" meant here. The allusions to persecutions and faithfulness unto death accord with this view. IGNATIUS [The Martyrdom of Ignatius 3], on his way to martyrdom in Rome, wrote to POLYCARP, then (A.D. 108) bishop of Smyrna; if his bishopric commenced ten or twelve years earlier, the dates will harmonize. TERTULLIAN [The Prescription against Heretics, 32], and IRENÆUS, who had talked with POLYCARP in youth, tell us POLYCARP was consecrated bishop of Smyrna by St. John. the first . . . the last . . . was dead . . .…”

“And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write - On the meaning of the word “angel,” see the notes on Revelation 1:20. These things saith the first and the last - See the notes on Revelation 1:8, Revelation 1:17. Which was dead, and is alive - See the notes on Revelation 1:18. 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 was about to make to the church at Smyrna: “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death,” Revelation 2:11. As he had himself triumphed over death in all its forms, and was now alive forever, it was appropriate that he should promise to his true friends the same…”

“These things saith the first and the last, who was dead and is alive - How directly does this description tend to confirm him against the fear of death! Rev 2:10-11. Even with the comfort wherewith St. John himself was comforted, Rev 1:17-18, shall the angel of this church be comforted. Revelation 2:9”

“2:8-11 The letter to the church in Smyrna pictures suffering Christians under intense pressures who need a message of assurance. Smyrna typifies a small church that remains faithful to God despite difficult circumstances. 2:8 The seaport village of Smyrna had been destroyed and rebuilt several times. Like Christ, the city had been dead but was now alive. It is the only city of the seven that has survived to this day (Izmir, Turkey).”

“the angel: Rev 2:1 the first: Rev 1:8, Rev 1:11, Rev 1:17, Rev 1:18 Revelation 2:9”