Kingsways Carrum Downs

The name Smyrna means myrrh and is a fragrance spice taken from the bark of myrrh trees. This bark is crushed an produce the fragrant used at burials. This is so fitting for the church that was based there. This church - like the bark were crushed through severe persecution for their faith. In fact once a year the people had to go to the Emperor temple and say "Caesar is lord" or if not "Jesus is Lord". This caused incredible persecution against the church. Not only that. The Jews also persecuted the Christians. They infiltrated the church as believers just to expose and give them over to the authorities to be killed. Compare this to the second parable in Mat 13 talking about the wheat and tares and you get the idea. Now in the midst of this Jesus pick a fitting title to address them. This says He who is the first and the last. Who was dead and is alive....Oh! there is so much here to encourage us.