Did you know that the names of the seven churches mentioned Revelation; i.e., Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea carry a specific meaning ~and~ that these names help us to identify characteristics of that particular church? Having said that, these distinguishing names were not necessarily designed to be a mystery to us, but have rather become somewhat of a mystery only because we do not know our Old Testaments as well as we should. If that last remark is convicting to you, I want you to know it is convicting to me as well.
Before I digress to far, the name Smyrna means myrrh, as in ‘frankincense, gold, and myrrh.’ Myrrh is an aromatic, burial-spice which is extracted from a tree and its fragrance is released when it is crushed. The distinctive name is significant for the church of Smyrna because it too was about to be crushed. In that light, Jesus reminds them (in the passage above) He too was crushed, but He also has overcome!
More About Myrrh
Myrrh first comes on the scene (Biblically) when it, along with the gold and the frankincense, were brought as gifts to the infant Jesus. These three gifts we are taught have both symbolic and prophetic attributes: gold was the gift for kings, frankincense was burned only by priests, and (odd as it would seem for a baby’s gift), myrrh was a burial spice. Makes you wonder why a Wise-man would bring burial spice to a birthday party.
We later see Jesus refusing myrrh on the cross. Again, somewhat peculiar (to some) in light of the fact that Jesus knows His death is imminent. But then again, as certain Jesus is of His own demise, He is most certain of death’s inability to hold Him captive. No death, no need for myrrh.
And of course, the ladies at the tomb understood this as well, for when they arrived to anoint His body, they soon discovered the purpose of their journey was for naught, for indeed that tomb was empty!
And I Really Dig This!
“The multitude of camels shall cover your land, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba shall come; They shall bring gold and incense (frankincense), And they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord.’ Isaiah 60:6
This verse is a prophetic account of Christ’s second coming. Did you happen to notice what’s missing from the gift list? You guessed it—myrrh! Why? Because Christ died once, overcame death, and will never die again. There is no myrrh because there is no need.
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Revelation 2:10
He Dwells -- The B'log in My Eye 