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The Conqueror and the Second Death
Revelation 2:8–11 speaks to suffering Smyrna through Jesus as the First and the Last, who was dead and is alive. The church is called to faithfulness even unto death and promised the crown of life. The warning that the conqueror will not be hurt by the second death sets present persecution against the final judgment later explained in Revelation 20.
Revelation 2:11 contrasts bodily suffering and death with the “second death.” Revelation later identifies the second death with the lake of fire, making the promise a statement about final destiny rather than immunity from present persecution. The faithful may die in this age, but the risen Christ promises that death will not have the final word over them.
The promise that the conqueror will not be hurt by the second death is fulfilled when Revelation says the second death has no power over those in the first resurrection.
Revelation later explicitly identifies the lake of fire as the second death, clarifying the promise in the Smyrna message.
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