Revelation 2:11 Sweet Vapor Mark
The Ancient City of Smyrna is now a city called ?zmir in Turkey. Smyrna is an Ancient Greek word for myrrh, an Aramaic word meaning bitter. It is very significant for the Christian Church historically and biblically. It was very fitting for the Christians of Smyrna because they loved the Lord but were heavily persecuted. The only rapture they looked for was the crown of life. It was no false teaching of an easy, invisible escape from suffering. How personal was the letter that the Lord Jesus told John to write to the Christians of Smyrna? After earlier Persian Kingdon left Smyrna in ruins, Alexander the Great of the Greek Empire saw the potential seaport city offered, so he reestablished it to greatness. The Roma Empire that came later kept the city vital, even rebuilding it after a massive earthquake. So, according to the history of Smyrna, the words Jesus said to the Christian Church were personal. He knew the city was dead but now alive again but said heavy persecutions were coming. Myrrh was used in religious ceremonies in ancient times, and the rose smoke represented prayers—medicine for healing or relieving pain. Myrrh was more valuable than gold, and the Ishmaelite traders had it among their other treasures when they purchased Joseph from his brothers.
This was the beginning of Joseph’s many years of tribulation, but after years of suffering, Joseph became a ruler over Egypt. With that privilege, he had his father, Jacob, mummified, in which myrrh was used for embalming. Early Egyptian Pharaohs used mummification to preserve their dead. But the Pharaoh’s hopes and dreams never stopped their bodies from decaying or tomb raiders robbing their gravesites of their worldly treasures. Since Smyrna was the prosperous city of the Roman Empire, it was highly centered on the worship of emperors. All hail Caesar was a sign of allegiance to the Roman State. Myrrh was used to show devotion to Caesar in Smyrna since the city imported and exported myrrh. So Roman citizens would burn myrrh, and the smoke would let them know that You worship Caeser. Early Christians were far too devoted to worshiping Jesus rather than Caesar. The New Testament had many Jews who accepted Jesus as Christ, but those who did not were of the synagogue of Satan. The Jews of Smyrna did not mind causing harm to Christ, just like the Jews of Jerusalem denied Christ as their King.
Paul most likely witnessed Smyrna in his travels in Asia Minor; after his death, John continued it with encouraging letters. Paul preaches about being forgiven of sin by Jesus’ death and rose back to life. John Encouraging them by saying he was their brother and fellow participant in the tribulation for God’s kingdom; Revelation 1:9. Sadly, the Christians of Smyrna suffered heavily for many years. They also did not look forward to a rapture. They look forward to overcoming the second death as Jesus Christ, their Redeemer, has. Be a living and holy sacrifice to our Lord Jesus, even unto death, and we all will receive a crown of life. God bless you all; the Redeemer loves you, and so do I, His humble bondservant Samuel Jerry Head.