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The Letter to Smyrna encourages followers to have a willingness to suffer for Christ (Rev. 2:10 “Do not fear what you are about to suffer “).Smyrna is now the modern city of Izmir,known in history as the “pearl of the Aegean”,and is located about 35 miles due north of Ephesus.If the first mark of a true and living church is love,the second is suffering,for a willingness to suffer proves the genuinneness of love.Polycarp,the bishop of Smyrna in the 2nd century,proved his love when he was martyred here.Izmir (Smyrna) is the only one of the seven that has had continuous Christian congregations meeting within the city. |