SMYRNA
(Currently Izmir - Revelation 2:8-11)
The history of Smyrna goes back to
the 3rd millenium B.C. In the 10th century B.C. Ionians occupied the city.
The famous geographer Strabo tells us that as that of Ephesus, the Amazons
were the founders of the city. Lydians conquered and devastated the city in
the 7th century B.C. The city was re-established after Alexander the Great
expelled Persians from Western Anatolia. Then the control of the city was
shifted to Pergamum and finally to Rome. This was when a number of majestic
buildings were erected in the city.
178 A.D. became the year of
destruction for Smyrna; a major earthquake destroyed nearly every building
in the city. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius reconstructed Smyrna. The worst
time in the history of the city was when the Arab raids started in the 7th
century. The Seljuk period and crusaders followed this. Finally, in the 15th
century Ottomans took over. The commercial activities flourished again. The
city was considered as an important port-city of Asia Minor during Ottoman
period and attracted many European traders. Now, it is still one of the most
important port-cities of Turkey.
The famous bishop of Christian
church, Polycorp served in Smyrna between 115 to 156 A.D. He and eleven
other Christians from Philadelphia were burned at the stake in 156 A.D.
during the persecution of Christians in Smyrna. He was a good transmitter
and follower of the early traditions of Christian faith.
In his letter to the Christians of
Smyrna, 60 years before Polycorp's massacre, St.John wrote :
"(Revelation 2:8) To the
angel of the church in Smyrna write :
This is the message from the one who is the first and the last, who died and
lived again. (2:9) I know your troubles; I know that you are poor but really
you are rich! I know the evil things said against you by those who claim to
be Jews but are not; they are a group that belongs to Satan! Don't be afraid
of anything you are about to suffer. Listen! The Devil will put you to test
by having some of you thrown into prison, and your troubles will last ten
days. Be faithful to me, even if it means death, and I will give you life as
your prize of victory. If you have ears, then listen to what the Spirit says
to the churches! Those who win the victory will not be hurt by the second
death."
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