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[Revelation Ch.2: The 7 Churches] III.
Church of Smyrna
The commercial center of Asia Minor, the city of Smyrna was on the direct route from India and Persia to Rome. It was therefore a wealthy and busy city, with not much time for spiritual matters. The Jews in the city were apparently irreligious and materialistic. "Smyrna" means myrrh. This represents the period of persecution for the early church. It was probably the greatest of all history's persecutions, as Satan tried to stamp out the church at its early beginning. REV
2:8 ...the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive These reaffirmations of Christ's glory were doubtless of much comfort and encouragement to those suffering terrible persecution. "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!" REV
2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art
rich) The early church was a POOR church. (Acts 3:6 "Silver and gold have I none".) The word used here is "extreme" poverty. But God considered them rich--in His promises, special care, and loving ministries. REV
2:9 ...the synagogue of Satan. Any church that is not the true church of Jesus Christ is of Satan. Satan loves to be religious; he has his own "churches." The Smyrnian church were not only persecuted by pagans, but also by unbelieving Jews, even by Satan himself. Religious persecution can become the worse of all persecutions. REV
2:10 Ye shall have tribulation ten days There were ten distinct periods of Roman persecution of Christians-- (1) Nero 54- 68 A.D. (2) Domitian 81- 96 (3) Trajan 98-117 (4) Marcus Aurelius 161-180 (5) Severus 193-211 (6) Maximinius 235-238 (7) Decius 249-251 (8) Valerian 253-260 (9) Aurelian 270-275 (10) Diocletian 284-305 An estimated five million Christians suffered martyrdom during the second and third century. REV
2:10 Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of
life. Satan has no power over those who are not afraid of death (cf. 12:11). Ten generations of Christians were buried in the catacombs outside Rome during approximately 300 years of persecution. No one knows the exact number, but archaeologists estimate between 1,750,000 and 4,000,000 Christians were interred in the dark tunnels. One of the most frequent inscriptions is the sign of the fish. But the inscription which best describes their faith says: "The Word of God is not bound."
Earn These Crowns:
REV
2:11 He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. The second death is at the Great White Throne Judgment, when hell and death are thrown into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:14). Riddle: One birth = two deaths Two births = one death
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