Bible Matrix ⑦_154_REV 2:8~11 – The background of the church in Smyrna

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Bible Matrix_⑦_154_REV 2_8~11_Church in Smyrna, Past.pptx

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Bible Matrix ⑦_154_REV 2:8~11 – The background, history and meaning of the church in Smyrna that existed at AD 27~100

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_q2c5fUQcU

Bible Matrix ⑦: Historical & Scientific Views on Daniel and Revelation

Part 2. Revelation

Revelation 2:8~11 - To the Church in Smyrna, Tribulation/Persecution/Martyrdom, Receiving Only Praise from Jesus

Revelation 2:8~11 – The background, history and meaning of the church in Smyrna that existed at AD 27~100

○ The name of Smyrna: The name of Smyrna is derived from the word 'myrrh' which means 'fragrant spice'. Eight to nine feet tall, this prickly tree that grows in Arabia and Palestine has a bitter taste, but the fragrance of myrrh is so wonderful that at the time of Jesus' birth the Magi prepared it to present to Jesus who was born King of the Jews (Matthew 2:11), so it was a valuable and excellent fragrance. In particular, the more it is pounded, crushed, pressed and broken, the more beautiful it emits. Considering the characteristics of the name, I think it is a very appropriate expression‎ to name a church as ‘Smyrna’ that decorated history with the scent of martyrdom according to the hope for salvation and resurrection, no matter how severe suffering and persecution were.

○ The theory that the church in Smyrna was founded by the Apostle Paul during his third missionary journey (or expedition) is the most influential (Acts 19:10).

○ The church in Smyrna received only praises (commendation) from Jesus without rebukes (condemnation). It is the church that dared to give up its life as martyrdom for Jesus, so what would Jesus rebuke? In particular, since Smyrna became the center of the Emperor Worship, the church was subjected to greater persecution. Because of their refusal to the Emperor Worship, they were accused of being the anti-state institution (or agent), so they were suffering economic blows and ending up in extreme poverty.

○ The history of Smyrna and the slander of Jews: The current name of Smyrna, where the Church of Smyrna was located, is Izmir in Turkey. Smyrna is the only surviving city of the seven cities of Asia Minor. It prospered greatly during the Greek period of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, and many Jews came to live here as a port and commercial city. The Jews, who were against Jesus of Nazareth as Messiah and the Christian Way, persecuted the church in Smyrna, and the mention from Jesus about 'the slander of the Jews' can be understood in this context.

○ Smyrna as the crown of Asia: Smyrna was a beautiful city called ‘the glory’ or ‘the crown of Asia’, and it continued to prosper because of its geographical importance, despite historical transitions such as the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire), the Ottoman Empire, and Turkey. The Byzantine Empire left Christian relics throughout the city, but most of the Christian relics were lost due to the invasions of the Arabs and Turks, and almost all the ancient sites were destroyed by several natural disasters.

○ Today, the church of Smyrna has disappeared, and despite the fact that Turkey is an Islamic country, but a modern church as the Polycarp Martyrdom Memorial Church built to commemorate the martyrdom of Polycarp on the site and worship services is still being held. (Established in the 5th century -> lost by fire in the 17th century -> rebuilt in the 1960s)