Early Church
Polycarp of Smyrna
69 AD – 155 AD
Bishop of Smyrna and a disciple of John the apostle; martyred by burning and stabbing in Smyrna at about eighty-six years of age. The connection is direct to the church he led: Revelation 2:8-11 is the letter to the church in Smyrna, calling it to be 'faithful unto death.'
Historical dating — approximate (patristic source)
Scripture
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