+INTRODUCTION
Even though the city of Smyrna was smaller than it’s neighbor, Ephesus to the south it nonetheless rivaled it, in it’s prosperity, due to it’s mass trade, resulting from it’s natural seaport and it’s high standing with the Emperor of Rome.

Smyrna derives it’s name from a valuable resin called, myrrh, which was very popular in the ancient world, believed to have healing abilities due of its strong antiseptic and anti- inflammatory properties. It was also used as an embalming agent. This dark-brown resinous sap would normally be hardened on the outside and soft on the inside. When the substance was crushed or compressed it would often give off a fragrant aroma. The word, ‘myrrh’ in the Hebrew is similar to the word ‘marah’ (bitter).

The name Smyrna and what it represents is an appropriate term, as it relates to the Church which resided there. As the Church in that city began to grow and have an impact, so did the hostility of the cities’ inhabitants. Jesus wrote, “I know your tribulation”. Sadly, this church very early on began to suffer, and yet Jesus clearly states that he’s aware of it, and lovingly identifies himself as One who suffers alongside them by saying, “I, died and came to life”. We are promised in the bible that, those who live Godly will suffer persecution or opposition [2 Tim. 3:12].
In the case of this church in Smyrna they suffered in at least three ways: +physically (tribulation), +financially (poverty) and +emotionally (slandered) [Rev. 2:9] yet, they were admonished to be faithful, even unto death, for they would receive from Jesus great honor, as depicted by being offered the crown of life.

Following the pattern set by Jesus, and echoing the very name of their city, the most fragrant aroma ascended from their lives through this painful process of crushing. It was in their time of trial that they shined brightest. In less than 70 years after this letter was sent, one of the apostle John’s own friends Polycarp, (a local pastor) would have been bound to a stake in the center of town and burned to death. His martyrdom would emanate a wave of encouragement to fearful saints to be bold, and to stand strong in the face of trials.