Revelation 2:9; And Poverty…

Revelation 2:9 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.

This word “Poverty”, strictly means “life of a beggar”, it describes extreme, abject poverty, the state of complete destitution, possessing absolutely nothing.

The believers have apparently lost their jobs or their businesses were being boycotted, hence depriving them of material support. Economic discrimination is a well-known method of persecution throughout church history, deprive them of their livelihood when they have to go hungry, and they will capitulate and give up their faith.

– (but thou art rich)…

But they were rich. They were spiritually rich though physically poor as a result of the persecution that came upon them. The Christians submitted to the civil authority, but they refused to offer sacrifices to Caesar and worship him. 

Romans 13:1-3 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Their refusal caused them to be incarcerated, tried as rebels!

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not asthe word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13 ) Amen.