FATHER’S Master Plan required Jesus to warn the churches of what would hinder and disqualify them from attending the Wedding Feast!
It is FATHER’S desire for all believers to attend the Wedding Feast. Many believers have avoided the Book of Revelation because of its focus on future events that seem hard to understand. However, we should embrace this final Book and take heed to all that It has to do with our future. Jesus’ Words here are every bit as vital to our walk as what He said in the Gospels.
Jesus spoke in Revelation chapter 2:
8 Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Smyrna. For these are the Words of the One Who is the Beginning and the End, the One Who became a corpse, but came back to Life:
9 I am aware of all the painful difficulties you have passed through and your financial hardships, even though, in fact, you possess rich treasure. And I am fully aware of the slander that has come against you from those who claim to be Jews but are not, for they are a satanic congregation.
10 Do not yield to fear in the face of the suffering to come but be aware of this: the devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison to test your faith. For ten days you will have distress but remain faithful to the day you die, and I will give you the victor’s crown of Life.
11 The one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is presently saying to all the churches. The one who conquers will not be harmed by the second death.
This was the persecuted but faithful church. Jesus gives no rebuke, only encouragement. Jesus fully understands our tribulation (suffering), financial challenges, what we face as we are slandered and opposed as we remain faithful under pressure.
They looked poor and weak — but Jesus said they were rich spiritually. We must not allow the worldly pressures to affect our walk. Even though we want to live peacefully, we must not be intimidated by persecution from hostile people or false accusations. Our faith will be tested.
Jesus gave us as overcomers two promises: The Crown of Life and, we will not be hurt by the second death. This means that we might die physically, but we would not face Eternal judgment.
To summarize, the church at Smyrna was poor, persecuted, and suffering, yet faithful, and Jesus encouraged them to remain faithful even to death with the promise of Eternal Life.
The name Smyrna comes from the Greek word “smýrna,” which means myrrh.
What is myrrh?
Myrrh is a bitter resin from a tree used for perfume and incense, anointing oil, and is associated with suffering, death, and burial.
In the Bible, myrrh appears at key moments:
Given to Jesus at His birth:
Matthew 2:11
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Offered during His crucifixion:
Mark 15:
22 And they brought Jesus to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.
23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.
Used in His burial:
John 19:
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the Body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the Body of Jesus.
39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.
Myrrh is crushed to release fragrance. The church at Smyrna was persecuted and crushed, yet their faith produced a pleasing fragrance to God.
All names in Scripture have relevance. Smyrna = Myrrh → suffering that produces something precious. None of us want to be persecuted but Jesus assures us that He will honor us as we suffer on His behalf.