Footsteps of Paul Trip – Smyrna

8 million people live in the vibrant, modern city of Izmir (ancient Smyrna)
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Myrrh, one of the gifts brought to Jesus by wisemen from the East, is a resin from myrrh trees. Smyrna got it’s name from these trees, but very few remain after industrialization.
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Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2:7-12(NIV)

Smyrna is also the birthplace of Homer, the great philosopher and poet.
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The gulf Smyrna is the beginning of the Silk Road to China.
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Part of the Roman fortress. Polycarp, a disciple of John was a bishop in Smyrna, and later martyred.
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To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
Revelation 2:8-10(NIV)