Here Jesus sends a message to the Church in Smyrna. Smyrna, which is now the modern city Izmir, was located in present-day Turkey. Here is what Wikipedia says about Smyrna:
Smyrna (Ancient Greek: Σμύρνη or Σμύρνα) was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey. The first site, probably founded indigenously, rose to prominence during the Archaic Period as one of the principal ancient Greek settlements in western Anatolia. The second, whose foundation is associated with Alexander the Great, reached metropolitan proportions during the period of the Roman Empire. Most of the present-day remains date from the Roman era, the majority from after a 2nd century AD earthquake.
URL Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smyrna
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Revelation 2
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Cross References:8 And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, Who died and came to life again:(B)9 I know your affliction and distress and pressing trouble and your poverty—but you are rich! and how you are abused and reviled and slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.10 Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. [Dismiss your dread and your fears!] Behold, the devil is indeed about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and proved and critically appraised, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be loyally faithful unto death [even if you must die for it], and I will give you the crown of life.(C)11 He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). He who overcomes (is victorious) shall in no way be injured by the second death.
B. Isaiah 44:6
C. Rev. 3:10, 11
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*********************************************************************************In Jesus' message to Smyrna, he doesn't appear to have anything to criticize the Church about, but rather he recognizes their suffering and informs them of the suffering they are to expect at the hands of satan. However, he also encourages them to not give up and that whoever overcomes will receive the Crown of Life. He mentions that He Himself died and came to life again.
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