The term "metropolis" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of a large, influential city is present throughout the biblical narrative. In ancient times, a metropolis was a significant city, often serving as a political, economic, and cultural hub. These cities played crucial roles in the unfolding of biblical events and the spread of the Gospel.

Biblical Examples of Metropolises:

1. Babylon: Babylon is one of the most prominent cities mentioned in the Bible. It was the capital of the Babylonian Empire and is often associated with wealth, power, and idolatry. In the Book of Revelation, Babylon symbolizes the epitome of human pride and opposition to God. "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great!" (Revelation 18:2).

2. Jerusalem: Jerusalem holds a central place in biblical history as the spiritual and political heart of Israel. It was the site of the Temple, the center of Jewish worship, and the city where Jesus was crucified and resurrected. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you prosper'" (Psalm 122:6).

3. Nineveh: The capital of the Assyrian Empire, Nineveh was a large and influential city known for its wickedness. The prophet Jonah was sent by God to call the city to repentance. "Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, 'Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me'" (Jonah 1:1-2).

4. Rome: In the New Testament, Rome is the center of the Roman Empire, representing political power and authority. The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in Rome, emphasizing the importance of faith and righteousness. "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:7).

5. Ephesus: Ephesus was a major city in Asia Minor and a key location for early Christian evangelism. The Apostle Paul spent significant time there, and it was the recipient of one of his epistles. "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 1:1).

Role in the Spread of Christianity:

Metropolises in the ancient world were strategic locations for the spread of Christianity. The Apostle Paul and other early missionaries often targeted these cities due to their influence and the diverse populations they attracted. By establishing churches in these urban centers, the message of the Gospel could quickly disseminate throughout the surrounding regions.

Symbolism and Prophetic Significance:

In biblical prophecy, metropolises often symbolize human achievement and rebellion against God. They are depicted as centers of commerce, culture, and idolatry, ultimately facing divine judgment. The fall of Babylon in Revelation serves as a powerful image of God's ultimate victory over worldly powers and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Understanding the role of metropolises in the Bible requires an appreciation of their cultural and historical context. These cities were not only centers of power but also melting pots of ideas, religions, and peoples. The interactions between the early Christians and the diverse inhabitants of these cities shaped the development of the early Church and its teachings.

In summary, while the term "metropolis" itself is not used in the Bible, the concept is integral to the biblical narrative, illustrating both the challenges and opportunities faced by God's people in urban settings.1. (n.) The chief city of a kingdom, state, or country; a large urban center.

2. (n.) The seat, or see, of the metropolitan, or highest church dignitary.

3390. metropolis -- a metropolis.
... 3389, 3390. metropolis. 3391 . a metropolis. Transliteration: metropolis Phonetic
Spelling: (may-trop'-ol-is) Short Definition: metropolis. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3390.htm - 6k4965. metheg haammah -- Metheg-ammah
... Metheg-ammah From metheg and 'ammah with the art. Interposed; bit of the metropolis;
Metheg-ha-Ammah, an epithet of Gath -- Metheg-ammah. see HEBREW metheg. ...
/hebrew/4965.htm - 6k

Of the Metropolis of Christian Apostasy, the Mystic Babylon.
... NOTE. Of the Metropolis of Christian Apostasy, the mystic Babylon. The
metropolis of the apostasy, Babylon the mystery, or the mystic ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the metropolis of christian.htm

It Has Come to Our Knowledge that Certain Persons...
... But the cities which have already been honoured by means of imperial letters with
the name of metropolis, and the bishops in charge of them, shall take the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xii it has come.htm

Civilized Barbarism (Preached for the Bishop of London's Fund, at ...
... I have been honoured by an invitation to preach on behalf of the Bishop of London's
Fund for providing for the spiritual wants of this metropolis. ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xix civilized barbarism preached.htm

Council of Milan.
... were in the enjoyment of peace, and when the people were assembled for prayer, Liberius
[519] , bishop of Rome, Paulinus, bishop of the metropolis of Gaul [520 ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xii council of milan.htm

It Behoves the Bishops in Every Province to Acknowledge the Bishop ...
... It behoves the bishops in every province to acknowledge the bishop who presides
in the metropolis, and who has to take thought for the whole province; because ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon ix it behoves the.htm

Since Custom and Ancient Tradition have Prevailed that the Bishop ...
... and ancient tradition have prevailed that the Bishop of ??lia [ie, Jerusalem] should
be honoured, let him, saving its due dignity to the Metropolis, have the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon vii since custom and.htm

Decree with Regard to Nicomedia.
... from other cities. And the canon of the holy fathers decreed that there
should be one metropolis in each province. What therefore ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/decree with regard to nicomedia.htm

The Letter of the Synod to Pope Celestine.
... The Holy Synod which by the grace of God was assembled at Ephesus the Metropolis
to the most holy and our fellow-minister Coelestine, health in the Lord. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the letter of the synod.htm

The Idumeans Being Sent for by the Zealots, came Immediately to ...
... resolved to call in the Idumeans; so they wrote a short letter to this effect: That
Ananus had imposed on the people, and was betraying their metropolis to the ...
/.../chapter 4 the idumeans being.htm

Paul's Second Imprisonment, and Martyrdom; Peter, his Epistles ...
... positively affirms that he travelled "to the extremity of the west." [153:1] Clemens
appears to have been himself a native of the great metropolis; [153:2] and ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter x pauls second imprisonment.htm

Metropolis (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) The seat, or see, of the metropolitan, or highest church dignitary.
Multi-Version Concordance Metropolis (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/metropolis.htm - 6k

Perga (3 Occurrences)
... A long series of coins, beginning in the 2nd century BC, continued until
286 AD, and upon them Perga is mentioned as a metropolis. ...
/p/perga.htm - 10k

Alexandria (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The ancient metropolis of Lower Egypt, so called
from its founder, Alexander the Great (about BC 333). ...
/a/alexandria.htm - 31k

Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)
... Strabo, writing in the reign of Augustus, speaks of it as the most populous town
in Macedonia and the metropolis of the province (vii.323, 330), and about the ...
/t/thessalonica.htm - 25k

Village (21 Occurrences)
... daughters." The word is applied to the dependent villages lying around the larger
cities, and to which they looked as to a kind of metropolis (Numbers 21:25 ...
/v/village.htm - 16k

Nicopolis (1 Occurrence)
... the sea-fight. Nicopolis soon became the metropolis of Epirus, with an
autonomous constitution, according to Greek custom. But in ...
/n/nicopolis.htm - 10k

Iconium (6 Occurrences)
... Later History: About 295 AD, an enlarged province, Pisidia, was formed, with Antioch
as capital, and Iconium as a "sort of secondary metropolis." The Byzantine ...
/i/iconium.htm - 12k

Thyatira (4 Occurrences)
... the lesser road between Pergamos and Sardis, and derived its wealth from the Lycus
valley in which it rapidly became a commercial center, but never a metropolis...
/t/thyatira.htm - 12k

Tiberias (3 Occurrences)
... residences of the Jews in Palestine. It was for more than three hundred
years their metropolis. From about AD 150 the Sanhedrin ...
/t/tiberias.htm - 15k

Town (861 Occurrences)
... 7. (adv. & prep.) The metropolis or its inhabitants; as, in winter the
gentleman lives in town; in summer, in the country. 8. (adv. ...
/t/town.htm - 39k

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