Revelation 2:8: And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life.’
Jesus and His Word
Christ is portrayed as the eternal One who suffered death at the hands of His persecutors and then was resurrected from the grave. These aspects of Christ were especially relevant to the Christians at Smyrna who, like Christ in His death, were experiencing severe persecution. Smyrna, means “myrrh,” an ordinary perfume. It was also used in the anointing oil of the tabernacle, and in embalming dead bodies. While the Christians of the church at Smyrna were experiencing the bitterness of suffering, their faithful testimony was like myrrh or sweet perfume to God. 1
Jesus and His Ways
- Jesus, may my love for others have that same sweet smelling aroma as Your love for me. – “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:2
- Jesus, may my love for You come from a personal brokenness, so I can be completely filled…with just You. – “A woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.” Mark 14:3
- Jesus, may my love for the lost leave a lasting fragrance for the Word of God, and for His saving truth. – “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
Jesus and His Work
The best fragrance in the world is from His sacrificial offering on the cross. – TWEET IT
Jesus and His Promise
“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
1. Walvoord, J. F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary:
