It has been described as the most beautiful of the seven cities. Join gary petty as we explore the church in smyrna. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible around 95 ad, but many scholars believe the. These things says the first and the last, who was dead but is alive. The apostle john wrote the book of revelation around the year ad 95 from his exile on the island of patmos. The name smyrna, is derived from myrrh, a small tree that grows abundantly in the region. Smyrna was established thirtyfive miles north of ephesus on the road that lead to pergamum. These writings probably begin after john finished with the book of revelation, and continued through about 156 a. The church at smyrna was to undergo some intense persecution and. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. The second city of the seven churches of book of revelation to receive the message from the st. Smyrna was a prosperous town in the 7th century bc. A commentary on the book of revelation letters to ephesus, smyrna, pergamos, and thyatira from the apostle john on patmos.
Hello, im in the process of studying the book of revelations and i have stumbled upon something which i cannot find the answer. Both macarthur and guzik are dispensational futurists none of us in this bible study group. Seven church eras the book of revelation records seven messages to seven churches that existed is asia minor toward the end of the first century a. The 7 churches of revelation smyrna early christians youtube. The words of jesus to the church in smyrna in revelation 2. Patmos, where john prophesied the book of revelation, was a short distance away in the aegean sea. Those roman prisons were terrible places where prisoners were. Legend says smyrna was founded by the queen of the amazons, a mythical nation of women soldiers. The seven churches of revelation, also known as the seven churches of the apocalypse and the seven churches of asia, are seven major churches of early christianity, as mentioned in the new testament book of revelation. Many believe that this church represents the martyrs of all the ages and the sweetsmelling fragrance of their faithfulness until death. Jesus mentions the jews who lie synagogue of satan to both approved churches, smyrna and philadelphia. These things says the first and the last, who was dead, and came to life. In chapter 2, verse 10, it reads, do not be afraid for what you are about to suffer.
One classic illustration of this is in the true story of one of the great church fathers named, polycarp. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. He addressed his work to seven asian churchesephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia, and laodicea. The synagogue of satan is mentioned twice in revelation, once in jesus letter to the firstcentury church in smyrna and once to the church in philadelphia. All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey.
And i told you in our introductory message to the book of revelation that the letters are listed in the same order that any traveler would go as he moved through asia minor. To the church in smyrna to the angel of the church in smyrna write. Established as a roman commercial center, the city was a port located on the aegean. Revelation chapter 2 ephesus and smyrna pursuing truth. This second study about the seven churches of revelation is all about the letter to the church in smyrna. Some would even be put in prison or killed for their faith rev. Some of you will be tested by time in prison or trials to the point of death. The lord acknowledges that he who is the first and the last is going to allow this to happen. Smyrna was poor materially but rich in gold refined in the fire. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. Saint ignatius of antioch visited smyrna and later wrote letters to its bishop, polycarp. Satan does not want believers to study the book of revelation because.
This, by the way, is the first mention of the devil in the book of revelation. Modern day izmir, turkey its interesting that only in the book of revelation is smyrna and its church mentioned rev 1. Smyrna was the second city to receive a letter from the apostle john in the book of revelation. Through their persecution afflictions and poverty they became rich in christ. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. The book of revelation virtual map explore revelation virtually. The city of smyrna was about thirtyfive miles north of ephesus.
So we can assume that at each new city, first ephesus then smyrna, the letter given to that church and the messenger that gave that letter would stay and six would go on. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. Why did the church in smyrna receive a direct message from the lord. It was one of the seven churches addressed in the book of revelation. Gold refined in the fire is what makes one rich according to yeshua in the book of revelation. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Smyrna izmir, biblical sites in turkey, biblical tour. There polycarp, the bishop of smyrna, was martyred, though. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, but thou art rich and i know the blasphemy of them which say they are jews, and are not, but. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. Jesus christ through the book of revelation exposes the jews who lie synagogue of satan. Both christ approved churches are beaten, slandered and in prison by the synagogue of satan. Other stories say that the first settlement was built by a roving band of pirates.
Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. Those churches were in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadephia, and laodicea. According to ignatius, not long after the book of revelation was written, he became the pastor of smyrna and died a martyrs death for his faith. These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.
The book of revelation starts with a warning to the seven churches scattered throughout the known world at that time. A commentary on the book of revelation chapter 2 letters to ephesus, smyrna, pergamos, and thyatira. These are the words of him who is the first and the last, who died and came to life again revelation 2. Smyrna was a seaport city about 35 miles north of ephesus. Saint irenaeus, who heard polycarp as a boy, was probably a native of smyrna. Laodicea was rich materially but bankrupt in gold refined in the fire. Truths about him and his final victory, that the rest of scripture merely allude to, become clearly visible through revelation about jesus christ see historical and theological. Therefore, no matter the historical application, all seven messages are. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Due to the fact that the port city of izmir houses the second largest population in turkey today, the site of ancient smyrna has been little excavated. Home content index books of the bible revelation church in smyrna.
In the book of revelation, the church at smyrna is famous for their poverty and persecution, yet jesus christ calls them rich. I know your works, tribulation, and poverty, but you are rich and i know the blasphemy of those who say they are jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of satan. In both cases, the synagogue of satan is opposed to the mission and message of the church. Smyrna was the second church which received a word recorded in revelation.
The book is also written to all believers everywhere. In 155 ad, polycarp, bishop of smyrna and a close friend of ignatius, was killed by the sword, his body burned at the stake in smyrna. Among the seven cities that john sent letters to, smyrna is the only city that still exists today now called izmir which is turkeys third largest city with seven hundred thousand walvoord, revelation, 5960. The book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven cities of the roman province of asia.
Scripture does not give us any information concerning the founding of this church, nor is it mentioned in the book of acts. What timeless lessons can we learn from jesus christs message to smyrna recorded in revelation 2. Jesus gently told them they would face more persecution. And to the angel of the church of the smyrneans write. Smyrna is the second of seven churches in asia minor who receive a spiritual evaluation directly from god through jesus christ. The setting of the book of revelation is the endtime day of the lord revelation 1. The 7 churches of revelation smyrna history youtube. Smyrna early became a christian city, for there was one of the seven churches of the book of revelation 2. I want to draw your attention in a message to the 2nd chapter of revelation revelation, chapter 2 and i told you a couple of weeks ago when we began this little series that i wanted to give you a. And in this community a group of jesus followers came together as a church one of seven churches addressed in the beginning of the book of revelation. These churchesephesus, smyrna, pergamos, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia and laodiceawere located along one of the mail. Smyrna is the greek word for myrrh, a flagrant perfume used in burial. There polycarp, the bishop of smyrna, was martyred, though without the sanction of the roman government. The believers in smyrna were persecuted and treated badly.
Smyrna was a large, important city on the western coast of asia minor, famed for its schools of medicine and science. The church in smyrna had experienced persecution and poverty rev. The churches of revelation 2 3 matter eras ephesus smyrna. What was jesus message to the church in smyrna in revelation. This contrasts directly with the church at laodicea, which has worldly riches yet is spiritually poor revelation 3.