Smyrna

Rev. 2:8-11

A city in western Asia Minor (modern Turkey) where one of the seven churches in the this book of Revelation was situated (Rev. 1;11; 2:8-11). Smyrna’s superb natural harbor made the city an important commercial center.  In spite of keen competition from the neighboring cities of Ephesus and Pergamos, Smyrna called itself “the first city of Asia.

As early as 195 B.C. Smyrna foresaw the rising power of Rome and built a temple for pagan Roman worship.  In 23 B.C.., Smyrna was given the honor of building a temple to the Emperor Tiberius because of its years of faithfulness to Rome.  Thus, the city became a center for cult of emperor worship—a fanatical “religion” that later, under such emperors as Nero (ruled A.D. 54-68) and Domitian (ruled A.D. 81—96), brought on severe persecution for the early church.  The apostle John encouraged the persecuted Christians of Smyrna to be “faithful unto death” and they would receive a “crown of life” (Rev. 2:10)

·         Good Works,

·         Tribulation and Poverty (But thou are rich)

·         Suffering foretold

They were encourage to be “thou faithful until the death.”

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