1. Seven Churches of Asia Revelation Chapters 2 and 3

2. 1 Ephesus 2 Smyrna 3 Pergamos 4 Thyatira 5 Sardis 6 Philadelphia 7 Laodicea

3. The Church at Smyrna Starts at Ephesus Smyrna Ephesus

4. Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11

5. Historical Background Name of city - Semitic word“myrrh” Built in 1312 B.C. Highly developed city Main street paved with gold “The flower of Asia”

6. Agora in Smyrna www.HolyLandPhotos.org

7. Market Place Ruins

8. Underground Agora www.HolyLandPhotos.org

9. Agora Spring & Cryptoporticus www.HolyLandPhotos.org

10. Izmir - population over 200,000

11. Religious Development Idol Worship Zeus Dionysius - wine god Homer - poet Meles – river god Emperor Worship

12. Religious Development Beginning of Church No record of it’s establishment May have started when Paul was in Ephesus

13. Introducing Sender Letter to Smyrna “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;” Rev. 2:8

14. Letter to Smyrna Angel – read it to the church First and last - eternal Dead and Alive Sender

15. Praise Letter to Smyrna “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 are the synagogue of Satan.” Rev. 2:9

16. Letter to Smyrna I Know Tribulation – Persecution Poverty – Christians were poor But they were rich

17. Letter to Smyrna The Rich – Poor Church Poor in Money $ Rich in faith – Jas. 2:5 Poor before Men Rich before God

18. Letter to Smyrna Blasphemy Spoke against Christians Synagogue of Satan Those who act like the Devil are his servants !

19. Prophecy Letter to Smyrna “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev. 2:10

20. Letter to Smyrna Fear Not – more trials to come Devil cast into prison ten days Be Faithful unto Death - martyr Crown of Life Polycarp

21. Praise Letter to Smyrna “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Rev. 2:11

22. Letter to Smyrna He that hath an ear Hear what the Spirit saith Overcome – -- Not hurt by 2nd death

23. Letter to Smyrna The Unbeliever dies and finds another death awaiting him. The Believer dies and finds another life awaiting him!

24. Lessons • I Know – Christ knows… • We will have tribulations • Must be faithful to receive crown of life • Fear the second death

25. Letter to Smyrna Christ tasted death for every man, so we would not have to taste the second death.

26. 1 Ephesus 2 Smyrna 3 Pergamos 4 Thyatira 5 Sardis 6 Philadelphia 7 Laodicea

27. Some of the Images are from www.HolyLandPhotos.org