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Seven It is written, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” All seven churches were located in modern-day Turkey. The towns are Muslim—as is 99 percent of Turkey. This is a meme about two of them. First is Ephesus. It was the fourth largest city of the Roman empire in the first century, a thriving commercial center and port city, the nearest church to Patmos; then the other churches on the western coast of Asia. According to the Book of Revelation (2:1-7) Ephesus is known for having labored hard and not fainted, and separating themselves from the wicked; admonished for having forsaken its first love. Ephesus was also the home of a temple to the goddess Artemis. The amphitheater in Ephesus, which could hold up to twenty-five thousand people. John the Apostle taught and missioned in Ephesus city. It is widely accepted that The Gospel of John was written in Ephesus. It was also the venue of the angry riot against Christians in Acts 19. Acts 19 offers a compelling portrait of the Gospel's transformative power, as well as the disturbances it can arouse. It shows us that the journey of faith involves not only receiving the Gospel and witnessing miracles, but also facing conflict and misunderstanding. Paul was mindful of the Holy Spirit's guidance, and cognizant of the authority that comes from faith in Jesus. Throughout Acts 19, Paul demonstrates perseverance in his ministry despite opposition and challenges. This theme highlights the importance of steadfastness and dedication in fulfilling God's calling. He spent two years in Ephesus, teaching and spreading the Gospel. Smyrna was second Stephen was the first christian martyr found in Acts 7:54-60. It is the earliest chronicle of a martyrdom outside the New Testament. Polycarp was an old man, at least 86, and probably the last surviving person to have known an apostle, having been a disciple of St. John. Polycarp was the second christian martyr known in writing. This was one reason he was greatly revered as a teacher and church leader. During his lifetime, Polycarp held a position as bishop in the Christian congregation of Smyrna in the Roman province of Asia. Historians usually date Polycarp’s life from AD 70 to 156. So if Polycarp was born AD 69/70, and John died AD 98–117, meaning John was still around for Polycarp’s 28th birthday, possibly longer, that is far out! It was then that he also met his death as a martyr. Read more about him here. As I did. here https://evidenceunseen.com/theology/historical-theology/polycarp And here https://biblehub.com/library/richardson/early_christian_fathers/the_letter_of_saint_polycarp.htm Just a thought, as we navigate our personal journeys, we better remain steadfast and courageous as Polycarp of Smyrna was. He was an influential early Christian leader recognized as a pivotal link between the apostolic era and subsequent generations of no name, nothing special believers like me who wish he could be like Polycarp, but for now can only make this meme.