Once the capital of Lydia and one of the great cities of Asia Minor, it was already in decline by the time it was mentioned in the book of Revalation (3:1-6).
A massive earthquake had rocked Asia Minor in 17 AD that severely damaged many cities in the region. A generous endowment from Emperor Tiberius helped rebuilt the city but its prestige was already so badly damaged it lost the bid, ten years later, to Smyrna to build a temple in honour of the emperor.
The church seemed to have followed the moral path of the city in decline and Christ's letter rebuked them for having "a reputation of being alive but was dead" and called to "strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God" (Rev 3:1-2). "Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you" is as sharp a rebuke as any church could have received, though there were still some in the church who "have not soiled their clothes, [who] will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy" (v4).
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