“The Church in Smyrna”
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ —Revelation 2:8-11
Introduction to Smyrna:
• Smyrna is the only city of these 7 that has continued to the present day. Today, it is the city of Izmir in Turkey (go look it up—absolutely beautiful) — 3RD LARGEST CITY IN TURKEY.
• It was a harbor city on the Aegean Sea with a thriving export trade thirty-five miles north of Ephesus. It was renowned for its beauty and its civic pride, calling itself “the first in Asia” as well as the birthplace of Homer.
** • **It maintained an excellent relationship with Rome and was one of four cities to host the provincial assembly.
** • **It was the first city in Asia to build a temple to the goddess Roma (195 BC) and in AD 26, because of its long loyalty to Rome, it beat out ten other cities for the privilege of building a temple to the emperor Tiberias.
** • Over the years, Smyrna became a center of the imperial cult. In 600 BC, it had been destroyed by Alyattes, king of Lydia, but when Alexander the Great came through in 334 BC, he commissioned that it be rebuilt. This was done in 290 BC and Smyrna was rebuilt closer to the harbor. Its architecture made it one of the most pleasing cities in Asia: famous temples, a group of buildings called “the crown of Smyrna,” an acropolis on Mount Pagos, and a beautiful roadway called “the Street of Gold.”**
Introduction of Jesus:
• Jesus is the
The Message of Jesus:
Three Takeaways for Smyrna (and us):
Jesus is
Your suffering is
Your reward for suffering is