^2:8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:

To the ANGEL of the church in Smyrna write:

The FIRST and LAST (Revelation 1:17), who
* was dead and (Revelation 1:18)
* has come to life
says this:

This is the everlasting God, who is the first and the last. Even as He conquered death and is alive, so, too, those who suffer persecution at Smyrna and may be killed will receive the CROWN OF Life (Revelation 2:10)

Recalling that Smyrna is derived from "myrrh" or sweet fragrance, Paul uses that expression of fragrance in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16. We as Christians are a fragrance in this world (especially among the stench of death).