Primary References: Revelation 2:8-11

The church of Smyrna was one of two churches without condemnation. As the myrrh produced in the region, they produced a sweet fragrance from their sufferings. For ten days, they endured tremendous persecution.  They worked hard but faced great opposition from both pagan and Jew.  They are a very poor church but they have stockpiled tremendous wealth where it matters most, in heaven.   The Smyrna church period is the early church persecuted by the Roman Empire.  The city of Smyrna is representative of the Roman Empire.  Their devotion to Rome, their religious systems, and their persecution of those who do not worship the state deity are consistent with the city of Rome. 

1.      Nero (64–68 A.D.): crucified and threw Christians into pits with wild animals; executed Paul and possibly Peter

2.      Domitian (90–96 A.D.): killed thousands in Rome; banished John to the Isle of Patmos

3.      Trajan (104–117 A.D.): outlawed Christianity; burned Ignatius at the stake

4.      Marcus Aurelius (161–180 A.D.): tortured and beheaded Christians

5.      Severus (200–211 A.D.): burned, crucified, and beheaded Christians

6.      Maximinius (235–237 A.D.): executed Christians

7.      Decius (250–253 A.D.): tried to wipe out Christianity and executed those he could find

8.      Valerian (257–260 A.D.): tried to wipe out Christianity; executed the Bishop of Carthage

9.      Aurelian (270–275 A.D.): persecuted Christians any way he could

10.   Diocletian (303–312 A.D.): burned the Scriptures

Between the reigns of many of these emperors, there were short gaps that allowed a little reprieve for the early Christians.  These reprieves, though, did not alleviate or reduce their poverty since legal restrictions still limited their ability to earn wages and own property.  Estimates suggest that this period may have witnessed as many as 5 million Christian martyrs.  The following table summarizes the church of Smyrna.