I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
All Commentaries on Revelation 2:9 Go To Revelation 2
Bede
AD 735
tribulation: Yea, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Fortunatus has beautifully expressed this in a short verse, saying: "In narrow realm the poor man reigns possessing God."
