The church at Smyrna was the second of the
seven churches to be addressed by Jesus in
His letters.

Smyrna has always been from ancient times.
It was near Ephesus. It was outstandingly
beautiful and a number of pagan temples were
there. The Christians who lived in Smyrna saw
heathen worship everywhere they looked.

It was politically important. The people were
pro-Roman and it was one of the great centers
of emperor-worship.