Every church is different, even today. As in all the letters from the Lord Jesus Christ, he introduces himself in a special way, and each introduction is particular to that church. Here he says he is “The first and the last, which was dead and is alive.” The church in Smyrna was struggling under trials, persecutions, and poverty, and the Lord writes to encourage them for their good works, to strengthen their faith, warn them of difficult days ahead, and promise them a reward in heaven if they would stand firm, and be faithful to the end.