Smyrna

Smyrna, which is derived from the word "myrrh" or sweet perfume, lies 40 miles north of Ephesus. The current city of Izmir, Turkey is on this site.

There were a great number of persecutions in Smyrna. History records at least 10 great persecutions from Nero (96 AD) to Diocletian (313 AD). These persecutions are reflected in this letter to this church's angel.

The city itself was said to be very beautiful with a population around 200,000. A single street, "Golden Street" ran east and west through the city. There were beautiful Greek temples along this street for Apollo, Asclepius, Aphrodite, Cybele and Zeus. Smyrna was selected from 11 other cities to build a temple to Tiberius (23 AD).

Under Domitian (81-96 AD), emperor worship was compulsory for every Roman citizen. Once a year a citizen had to burn incense on the alter to the bust of Caesar, after which he was issued a certificate. This was mostly a political ceremony (not religious) but when burning the incense, you had to say "Caesar is Lord". Most Christians refused to do this.

As a result of refusal, the Christians received heavy persecutions. An early Christian, PolyCarp, was burned alive at age 86 (156 AD) as the "12th martyr" of Smyrna. He is quoted as saying, "Eighty-six years have I served Christ, and He has never done me wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"

As if the Roman emperor worship requirements weren't enough, there was a large hostile faction in the Jewish community which also caused the Christian church much trouble.

      The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:

     To the ANGEL of the church in Smyrna write:

     The FIRST and LAST (Revelation 1:17) 
        who  * was dead and (Revelation 1:18) 
                * has come to life
        says this

Recalling that Smyrna is derived from "myrrh" or sweet fragrance, Paul uses that expression of fragrance in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16. We as Christians are a fragrance in this world (especially among the stench of death).