Seven Churches of Asia

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 28-11
5
Historical Background
Name of city - Semitic wordmyrrh 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 its
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. 28
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. 29
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. 25
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. 210
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. 211
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

1. I Know Christ knows
2. We will have tribulations
3. Must be faithful to receive crown of life
4. 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