Then someone who looked like a man touched my lips. I opened my mouth. I began to speak to the one who was standing in front of me. I said, “My master, I’m greatly troubled because of the vision I’ve seen. And I feel very weak.
“Do not be afraid,” he said. “You are highly respected. May peace be with you! Be strong now. Be strong.” When he spoke to me, I became stronger. I said, “Speak, my master. You have given me strength.”
“Here is what I command you to write to the church in Smyrna. Here are the words of Jesus, who is the First and the Last. He is the one who died and came to life again. He says,