Smyrna
Vs. 2:8 - 11 - "Persecuttes" - "Myrrh"
Attributes of Jesus: The First and the Last - (Isa 9:6; Rev 1:11,17;2:8;22:13)
"who was dead, and came to life" (Rev 2:8)
Promise: shall not be hurt by the second death. & "Crown of Life"
Rebuke: None
Threat: None
History:
(100-313 AD) This city derives its name from myrrh which is symbolical of death. This city had many sackings, fires, and destructions. The Greeks invaded and colonized the city about 1000 B.C. This church received no condemnation in the letter. Homer was born here and it was also the home of Polycarp. Fierce persecution began here with the
martyr period under Rome concluding with Diometian.Of all the cities of Asia, Smyrna was the loveliest. Men
called it the ornament of Asia, crown of Asia, and the flower of Asia. A constant west wind, a gentle zephyr,
added to the cities charm as it blew through its streets.Smyrna was also a trading city as it stood at the end of
the road which crossed Lydia and Phrygia and commanded the trade of the rich Hermus Valley. The city stood at the end of a long arm of the sea which ended in a land locked harbor in the very heart of the city. It was the safest of all harbors and easily defended. The coins of Smyrna had an inscription of a merchant ship ready for the sea.
From the harbor of the city traversed narrow foothills and then behind the city there was a hill covered with temples and noble buildings. Originally founded as a Greek colony about 1000 B.C., Smyrna was completely destroyed by the Lydians about 600 B.C. About 200 B.C. it was rebuilt, with the advantage of preplanning and careful layout. The famous "street of gold" ran from the Temple of Zeus and ended beside the Temple of Cybele. In light of this history, it is interesting that Christ was described as he who was dead and is alive again; exactly paralleling Smyrna's past. Syrmna was also a fine city which showed special allegiance to Rome. When Roman soldiers were suffering from cold and hardship during a bad military campaign, Smyrna stripped their own clothes and sent them for relief. This kind of faithfulness was rewarded in 195 B.C. when this city was chosen by Rome, even over Ephesus, to erect a temple to the goddess Roma, the Spirit of Rome. Smyrna of all cities was known as a paradise of municipal vanity and local pride. Local Jews were said to have contributed 10,000 denarii for the beautification of the city. It's no wonder that vanity and worldliness are addressed in the letter to Smyerna. Polycarp was bishop of Smyrna. One Saturday morning, at the public gates, the cry went up "Away with the athesiests, let Polycarp be searched for!". Polycarp could have escaped but tradition has it that he had seen his death in a dream. They came to arrest him. He served them a meal, provided all they wished, and asked for an hour of prayer. After his time was up they brought him to the games. He would have been released if he admitted that "Ceasar was Lord". Polycarp was adamant that for him only Jesus Christ was Lord. He was burned alive, unbound as he requested.
* Jesus describes himself as the one who was dead, and came to life to a church who would suffer death.
The First and the Last - Rev 1:11, 17; 2:8; 22:13
Attributes of Jesus: The First and the Last - (Isa 9:6; Rev 1:11,17;2:8;22:13)
"who was dead, and came to life" (Rev 2:8)
Promise: shall not be hurt by the second death. & "Crown of Life"
Rebuke: None
Threat: None
History:
(100-313 AD) This city derives its name from myrrh which is symbolical of death. This city had many sackings, fires, and destructions. The Greeks invaded and colonized the city about 1000 B.C. This church received no condemnation in the letter. Homer was born here and it was also the home of Polycarp. Fierce persecution began here with the
martyr period under Rome concluding with Diometian.Of all the cities of Asia, Smyrna was the loveliest. Men
called it the ornament of Asia, crown of Asia, and the flower of Asia. A constant west wind, a gentle zephyr,
added to the cities charm as it blew through its streets.Smyrna was also a trading city as it stood at the end of
the road which crossed Lydia and Phrygia and commanded the trade of the rich Hermus Valley. The city stood at the end of a long arm of the sea which ended in a land locked harbor in the very heart of the city. It was the safest of all harbors and easily defended. The coins of Smyrna had an inscription of a merchant ship ready for the sea.
From the harbor of the city traversed narrow foothills and then behind the city there was a hill covered with temples and noble buildings. Originally founded as a Greek colony about 1000 B.C., Smyrna was completely destroyed by the Lydians about 600 B.C. About 200 B.C. it was rebuilt, with the advantage of preplanning and careful layout. The famous "street of gold" ran from the Temple of Zeus and ended beside the Temple of Cybele. In light of this history, it is interesting that Christ was described as he who was dead and is alive again; exactly paralleling Smyrna's past. Syrmna was also a fine city which showed special allegiance to Rome. When Roman soldiers were suffering from cold and hardship during a bad military campaign, Smyrna stripped their own clothes and sent them for relief. This kind of faithfulness was rewarded in 195 B.C. when this city was chosen by Rome, even over Ephesus, to erect a temple to the goddess Roma, the Spirit of Rome. Smyrna of all cities was known as a paradise of municipal vanity and local pride. Local Jews were said to have contributed 10,000 denarii for the beautification of the city. It's no wonder that vanity and worldliness are addressed in the letter to Smyerna. Polycarp was bishop of Smyrna. One Saturday morning, at the public gates, the cry went up "Away with the athesiests, let Polycarp be searched for!". Polycarp could have escaped but tradition has it that he had seen his death in a dream. They came to arrest him. He served them a meal, provided all they wished, and asked for an hour of prayer. After his time was up they brought him to the games. He would have been released if he admitted that "Ceasar was Lord". Polycarp was adamant that for him only Jesus Christ was Lord. He was burned alive, unbound as he requested.
* Jesus describes himself as the one who was dead, and came to life to a church who would suffer death.
The First and the Last - Rev 1:11, 17; 2:8; 22:13