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2. The Smyrnaean Candlestick: The Martyr Church Age (Timothy)
The Smyrnaean Church age began with the Roman Emperor Nero burning down Rome and accusing the Christians of doing it. Smyrna in the Greek means “Myrrh,” in which the Smyrnaean martyrs represented the most pure form of Christianity of all the church ages. The martyred crowns were many as the Smyrnaean church age progressed.
“And unto the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you in prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” –Revelation 2:8-11
Ye Shall Have Tribulation Ten Days…
67 AD Nero The Smyrna Church Age begins with Nero setting fire to Rome.
81 AD Domitian Declaration that no Christian should be exempt from punishment.
108 AD Trajan and Adrian Severe persecution against Christians from 108 to 138 AD
162 AD Marcos Aurelius commendable in study of philosophy, sharp and fierce towards Christians.
192 AD Severus This persecution was carried out by the will and prejudice of the people and extended into Africa.
235 AD Maximus Numberless Christians were slain without trial and burned indiscriminately in heaps
249 AD Decius Began because of the amazing increase in Christianity, and with the heathen temples forsaken.
257 AD Valerian The martyrs that fell during this persecution were innumerable, their tortures and deaths painful.
274 AD Aurelian A brief persecution that ended with the emperor’s assassination.
303 AD Diocletian The last persecution ended with Constantine’s triumph against Rome in 313 AD
If you ever feel unthankful in life just look into the lives of the folks in the church of Smyrna. During this time many gave their lives for the Christian faith by cruel and barbaric means. There were many stars in Smyrna such as Valentinus, whose acts of kindness is still remembered on St. Valentines Day. A more in depth study on Smyrna can be found in the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. Sad realities were in the wrong directions the Smyrnaeans would go in between persecutions. These issues may be read in your library books on church history.
The Smyrnaean Church age began with the Roman Emperor Nero burning down Rome and accusing the Christians of doing it. Smyrna in the Greek means “Myrrh,” in which the Smyrnaean martyrs represented the most pure form of Christianity of all the church ages. The martyred crowns were many as the Smyrnaean church age progressed.
“And unto the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you in prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” –Revelation 2:8-11
Ye Shall Have Tribulation Ten Days…
67 AD Nero The Smyrna Church Age begins with Nero setting fire to Rome.
81 AD Domitian Declaration that no Christian should be exempt from punishment.
108 AD Trajan and Adrian Severe persecution against Christians from 108 to 138 AD
162 AD Marcos Aurelius commendable in study of philosophy, sharp and fierce towards Christians.
192 AD Severus This persecution was carried out by the will and prejudice of the people and extended into Africa.
235 AD Maximus Numberless Christians were slain without trial and burned indiscriminately in heaps
249 AD Decius Began because of the amazing increase in Christianity, and with the heathen temples forsaken.
257 AD Valerian The martyrs that fell during this persecution were innumerable, their tortures and deaths painful.
274 AD Aurelian A brief persecution that ended with the emperor’s assassination.
303 AD Diocletian The last persecution ended with Constantine’s triumph against Rome in 313 AD
If you ever feel unthankful in life just look into the lives of the folks in the church of Smyrna. During this time many gave their lives for the Christian faith by cruel and barbaric means. There were many stars in Smyrna such as Valentinus, whose acts of kindness is still remembered on St. Valentines Day. A more in depth study on Smyrna can be found in the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. Sad realities were in the wrong directions the Smyrnaeans would go in between persecutions. These issues may be read in your library books on church history.
