Sumatra with the Seven Churches

About thirty-five miles up the coast from Ephesus lies the seaport of Smyrna. We have no information about who planted the original church there, but Paul may have traversed fertile fig, grape, and olive orchards between the cities to go there during his extended stay at Ephesus. Or perhaps someone from Ephesus traveled to this neighboring city.

Today the site of ancient Smyrna, with its perfect climate, is the thriving Turkish city of Izmir, a variation on the ancient name. A beautiful port, the city is the largest in Asia Minor.

Izmir pre-dates Christianity by more than a thousand years, and its ancient remains lie buried beneath bazaars, houses, and mosques. In the middle of the hilly metropolis, Christian pilgrims can still find a large outdoor fenced square on top of which lie arches and pillars stacked as in a museum warehouse awaiting reconstruction.

What is today a mosque-filled, waterfront city was the site of intense suffering in New Testament times. First-century Christians were destitute because the business guilds disallowed Christ-followers. Imagine a layoff that never ends.

Most commentators, in fact, note that “Smyrna” is a Greek translation of the Old Testament Hebrew word “myrrh.” The process of making myrrh involves crushing a fragrant plant, and it has been said that the church at Smyrna, being crushed by persecution, gave off a fragrant aroma to God.

The persecution facing Christians is still the largest human rights violation issue in the world. According to the World Evangelical Alliance, over 200 million Christians in at least 60 countries are denied fundamental human rights solely because of their faith. And many of these, our brothers and sisters, endure valiantly.

Are you praying that those persecuted would persevere with courage? Are you standing with our brothers and sisters across the world?

Adapted from Sumatra with the Seven Churches.