2009 Holy Land Tour Turkey
Part 9 - Smyrna
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For the past several weeks, I have been telling you about our recent trip to the nation of Turkey. Last week, we were at the ancient city of Sardis – Modern day Sart. Today, we head directly west to the ancient city of Smyrna.
SMYRNA
The ancient city of Smyrna (Greek: Σμύρνη) is located within the modern city of İzmir, the third largest city in Turkey, with a population of 2.8 million. Smyrna, like Sardis, has had a long history going back to nearly 3,000 years before Christ. It’s beautiful landlocked harbor made it difficult for enemies coming by way of the sea. It was captured by the Ionians in the 688 BC, and made into a beautiful city. In 580 BC, the Lydians destroyed the city and again destroyed by the Persians a century later. For the next several centuries, all that existed in the area were 4 or 5 small villages.
In about 335 BC, on the orders of Alexander the Great, Smyrna was rebuilt into a strong well-planned city. This is the genesis of the city that existed at the time of Paul and John. And during the latter half of the first century, the population here was about 100,000.
Because this city had many lives – when it was destroyed and rebuilt many times, the Smyrnaeans were able to relate to the depiction of Christ in this letter, where He says He was “dead and came back to life.” (Rev. 2:8). This city had experienced death and had literally been brought back to life.
The ancient city of Smyrna, like Ephesus, was a Roman free city. That meant they had earned the right to be self-governing. In many of the ancient writings, Smyrna is described as a beautiful city. Today, the city is still beautiful. Unlike Ephesus, Smyrna did not have a problem with rivers that silted the harbor. With its excellent harbor, they export crops such as tobacco, grapes, figs, cotton, olives and olive oil.
As is typical, when a later city is built on the same location of the earlier city, it inhibits the finding of the ruins of the older civilization. That is true of Smyrna, now Izmir.
They have uncovered a few ancient ruins. The primary ruins form what was the ancient agora – marketplace. As can be seen by the arches, this agora had two stories, one underground and oneabove. One photo shows that at one time at least part of the lower level of the agora was covered. We wandered around on the lower level. Here is another lower level shot. A few years ago, I showed you a photo of a spring that probably has been flowing for millennia. Since then they have modernized the look of it, giving it a facelift.
Here is an above ground look at the agora. The underground portion was V-shaped. Here is a diagram of the agora that I shot at the site this year. As we were ready to leave the agora ruins, one cat fell in love with Dr. Braddy.
We leave the agora and head for the ancient acropolis – Mt. Pagus. Our amazing driver manipulates the large tour bus through the traffic of narrow streets. And as you can see, it is sprinkling.
We arrive and climb to the acropolis just as it begins to rain harder. We take refuge and cover in one of the ancient ruins. And the rain comes down harder and harder. A couple of local girls join us to get out of the rain. By the time we decided to make a run for the bus, there was literally a flash flood, with several inches flowing down the streets. I found this photo in the internet (Google Earth). That is actually what we took refuge in.
Biblical significance:
Smyrna is the second of the seven cities of Revelation to receive a letter from the apostle John. We don’t know exactly when the church in Smyrna was founded. I think it is a strong possibility that all the church mentioned in Revelation, excluding Ephesus were started during the time Paul was in Ephesus for about three years during his 3rd missionary journey.
This church is mentioned only in the Book of Revelation. We know nothing more about it than what we can read in the letter penned by John. I think it is noteworthy that Smyrna (now Izmir), along with Philadelphia, are the only churches that have maintained a continuous unbroken Christian presence since its origin. But it is here in Smyrna where we find one of the last real strongholds of Christianity in the entirety of Turkey today. For the last 1,900+ years, Smyrna has remained a stronghold of Christianity.
I have a set of commentaries – called LECTURES ON THE APOCALYPSE – written by Joseph A. Seiss in 1901. At that time, according to Seiss, Smyrna’s population was one-third Christian. But in 1915, a determined and systematic genocide of an ethnic group, the Armenians, who were mostly Christians, a genocide that was instigated by the Ottoman Turks. And the outcry from most other nations did nothing to lessen their atrocities.
Smyrna is where the largest contingent of Armenian Christians and other Christians lived. From April 24, 1915, when the genocide started, and on through 1923, 1½ million Armenians were murdered. In 1922, the Ottomans set the Armenian quarters of Smyrna on fire. The fire lasted for weeks, and then sporadically thru June 1923. This destroyed about one third of the city buildings.
Today there are about 15 to 20 active churches here – Protestant, Catholic, Anglican and Eastern Orthodox, at least two of which are evangelical churches, one called the New Birth Church. And there is the First Baptist Church in Izmir.
Izmir is regarded as the most Westernized city of Turkey in terms of values, ideology, gender roles and lifestyle. There is a project in the works to make Izmir the center of Christian Tourism, because of it being most diverse. The project is support by Christian leaders in Izmir, and it is expected that the government’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism will support it with financial aid. I also read where they have determined where the ancient bath houses are located, as well as the basilica of justice, and the home of a known Jewish rabbi from old times.
Revelation 2:8-11 NKJV
8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'
This is the shortest of all the letters – just 4 verses. Yet these four brief verses contain unparalleled words of comfort to this church. Jesus is filled with warm affection. And yet, the Lord’s affection does not say it is going to be an easy road ahead. It is interesting to observe that there is no rebuke to this church.
Of all the seven letters, this one is expressed in the most continuous and unbroken tone of laudation. Out of the seven churches, Christ rebukes 5 of them. The church at Philadelphia is the other church without a rebuke.
WHAT DOES THE WORD “SMYRNA” MEAN IN ENGLISH?
Our English word “Myrrh” comes from the Greek word “Smyrna.”
WHAT IS MYRRH?
a. Perfume
b. Holy ointment
Myrrh is a bitter gum and costly perfume which exudes from a certain tree or shrub primarily in Arabia and Ethiopia today.
This word is used only 3 times in the New Testament, and 14 times in the Old Testament. Of the 14 times in the Old Testament, 8 of them are in the Book: Song of Solomon. The three times it is mentioned in the New Testament are very important. I will want to visit each of them. But first, let’s look at just one in the Old Testament.
As most of you probably remember, the brothers of Joseph did not like him much – they hated him. When the brothers of Joseph were considering what to do with him – maybe even kill him, a caravan of Ishmaelites happened by, and Joseph was sold to them as a slave.
Genesis 37:25 NKJV
25 And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh , on their way to carry them down to Egypt.
In these ancient times, myrrh was used in Egypt for embalming the bodies of the Pharaohs.
Myrrh was also used in the Old Testament Jewish ceremonies. It was used as one of the ingredients to the holy oil used in the Tabernacle and Temple worship.
Now let’s turn to the New Testament. As I mentioned earlier, the word “myrrh” occurs just three times in the New Testament.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE MYRRH WAS USED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?
1. At the birth of Christ.
Matthew 2:11 NKJV
11 And when they (The Wise Men) had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh .
2. At the crucifixion of Christ.
According to Mark 15:23, while Christ hung on the cross, He was offered wine mixed with myrrh. In this case, myrrh would have dulled His senses so the pain wouldn’t be so bad. But this Passage say Christ did not accept the mixture. Our Lord took the entire weight of our sins, and the pain it produced for you and me.
3. At the burial of Christ.
John 19:39 NKJV
39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.
Myrrh was used to prepare the body of Jesus for burial after He died.
Myrrh was mentioned three times in the New Testament. It was present at Christ’s birth, death and burial. Myrrh refers to suffering. I also need to mention that myrrh yields its fragrance by being crushed. Crushing is what Christ experienced when He died for you and me.
Since myrrh can refer to suffering, it is fitting that the suffering church be located in Smyrna. Hundreds of years before God ever started a church in that city, He had it prepared with the appropriate name – Smyrna.
When Christ came into the world as a little baby, He came to suffer. When He died on a cross, He was suffering. To show the end of His suffering, He was embalmed with myrrh.
A moment ago, I mentioned that myrrh has to be crushed before it gives forth any fragrance. The more it is crushed, the more fragrant if becomes. The same things is true of this church in Smyrna. The more the people were crushed, the sweeter the aroma. The more they were stomped on, the more the world caught the fragrance of their faith and love.
The crushed church is a fragrant church. God has permitted Satan to bruise His church. But the harder he bruises it, the more he releases the fragrance of God’s grace, and the more devastating its testimony becomes to Satan’s strongholds.
Closing
Let me close with two Passages – one in Isaiah and one in Revelation. Isaiah 60 speaks of the future time when Jesus comes back the second time to earth. For 1,000 years, he will reign on earth. The Jews will no longer be the castoffs of the world. This Passage speaks of the nations coming to Jerusalem with gifts.
Isaiah 60:1-6 NASB
1 "Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 "For behold, darkness will cover the earth, And deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you, And His glory will appear upon you.
3 "And nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 "Lift up your eyes round about, and see; They all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, And your daughters will be carried in the arms.
5 "Then you will see and be radiant, And your heart will thrill and rejoice; Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, The wealth of the nations will come to you.
6 "A multitude of camels will cover you, The young camels of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba will come; They will bring gold and frankincense, And will bear good news of the praises of the LORD.
When Christ came the first time, the wise men gave Him three gifts. Gold, frankincense and myrrh.
• Gold = royalty, kingship
• Frankincense = deity, priesthood
• Myrrh = suffering, death
This time, only gold and frankincense are mentioned. I believe that is because His death was now behind Him. He will not die again, and we will live with Him forever.
Revelation 21 speaks of a time just after the previously mentioned 1,000 year reign of Christ.
This passage identifies that paradise as the New Jerusalem.
Revelation 21:1-5 NKJV
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new."
Here we are told that the time will come when all suffering will end. And it will end forever.
Jesus admonished this church to be “faithful unto death.” This church saw much persecution, as is seen in the life of one of its leaders – Polycarp, a disciple of the apostle John. Here is his story.
As the pastor and overseer of the church in Smyrna, his congregation urged him to flee into the countryside in order to escape the persecution of the Romans and others. This was in February, 155 AD. He was hunted down and captured. He did not resist them, but offered them food and drink, and asked for permission to retire for prayer, which he did for two hours. As they traveled into the city, the officer in charge urged him to recant. “What harm can it do to sacrifice to the emperor?” Polycarp refused.
On arrival, he was brought before the proconsul in the amphitheater, who pleaded with him. “Swear by the genius of Caesar… Revile Christ.” Polycarp said: “for 86 years I have served him, and he has done me no wrong; how then can I blaspheme my king who saved me?” The proconsul persisted: “Swear by the genius of Caesar…I have wild beasts; if you will not change your mind, I will throw you to them…” “Call them!” Polycarp replied. “Since you make light of the beasts, I will have you destroyed by fire, unless you change your attitude.” Polycarp strode to the stake and tells them they need not tie him, because God would give him the grace to stay when the fire was lit.
He prayed, “O Lord, Almighty God, the Father of your beloved Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have come to know you…I thank you for counting me worthy this day and hour of sharing the cup of Christ among the number of your martyrs.” And he dies that day.
