|
|
| THE SEVEN CHURCHES MENTIONED IN REVELATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The name of the author of the letters written to seven churches is stated as John (Rev. 1:1). He begins by saying that God sent the visions he is going to relate to His Servant John. He begins his book by saying that is from John to the seven Churches in Asia. (Rev.1:4). So John writes this letter to the seven churches.
The Seven Churches are all in the West of Turkey. The language of the book is not easy to understand. Yet this book Revelation "who testifies to everything he saw-that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 1:2.
God will bless everyone who reads this prophecy to others, and he will bless every one who hears and obeys it. That is why John writes Seven Letters to the Seven Churches in Asia Minor so that they can read the message and obey it and tell it to others.
Because the Christians of John's time accepted Christ as their King they suffered from the Roman rulers. Even John the writer of Revelation was imprisoned on Patmos Island where the Roman officers held people who refused to worship the Emperor. So John the writer of this book preached God's Message and spoke about Jesus' Word and Work. Therefore he was in prison on Patmos Island. There he saw the vision about God's message and about what Jesus Christ had said and done (Rev. 1:1). The one who was speaking to John was the Son of Man (Jesus Christ). Christ explains to John the writer of the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches: He writes things down as he hears them from Jesus. Christ explains, "The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches." (Rev. 1:20).
|
|
|
|
| The letter to the church in Ephesus
|
|
|
|
|
In the time before Christ the city of Ephesus was occupied by different civilizations, including the Greeks and Romans. Each civilization influenced her culture and religion. In the time of John, Ephesus was the greatest harbor in Asia. It was at Ephesus that the road from the far-off Euphrates and Mesopotamia reached the Mediterranean, having come by way of Colossae and Laodicea.
Ephesus was the Gateway of Asia.
Ephesus was the center of worship of Artemis (Diana). The temple of Artemis was one of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Today there is little left of Ephesus but ruins, and it is about six miles from the sea.
Ephesus is the most impressive archaeological site in Turkey.
John wrote these things to the church in Ephesus: "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary." (Rev. 2:2-3).
|
|
|
|
| The letter to the church in Smyrna
|
|
|
|
|
A proud and beautiful city in the province of Asia is modern Izmir. Men called it the ornament, the crown, and the flower of Asia. Polycarp was an early member of the Christian Church in Smyrna. He was bishop there from A.D. 115 to 156. The heathen accused the Christians of atheism because they could not understand a worship which had no images of the gods such as they themselves had. The Christians were accused of being politically disloyal because they would not say: "Caesar is Lord." The Christians in Smyrna went through suffering.
This is why John wrote to them saying: "Christ died but now he is alive, so listen to what he says, '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 the crown of life.'" (Rev. 2:10).
|
|
|
|
| The letter to the church in Pergamum
|
|
|
|
|
Pergamum was one of the great religious centers. In particular it had two famous shrines.
The Altar of Zeus was there. The city was probably the center of Roman authority. The Christians who refused to worship Caesar suffered very much.
In addition to this danger from the state there was a temptation within the church itself from those people holding to the teaching of Balaam and the doctrine o Nicolatians.
John wrote these to the church in Pergamum: "Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israel-ites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." (Rev. 2:14-16).
|
|
|
|
| The letter to the church in Thyatira
|
|
|
|
|
The letter to the church in Thyatira:Thyatira is modern Akhisar. The Christians of Thyatira had a major problem. This was their toleration of the activities of a woman called Jezebel. In the Old Testament Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab. John describes this woman's teaching as eating things sacrificed to idols, and committing sexual immorality. This woman lead many Christians in Thyatira to worship pagan gods. The threat to the Church here was not from emperor-worship or persecution, but from the lack of moral responsibility.
John wrote these things to the church of Thyatira: "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds." (Rev. 2:18-23).
|
|
|
|
| The letter to the church in Sardis
|
|
|
|
|
Sardis is modern Sart. Capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, it was a city of a great wealth and fame. The wealth of Sardis was legendary. The people of Sardis had thought themselves too safe to need a guard; and so Sardis fell. A city with a history like that knew what the what the Risen Christ was talking about when he said: "Watch!"
The church at Sardis was untroubled by any heresy. Heresy is always the product of the searching mind; It is, in fact, the sign of a church that is alive. The church at Sardis was untroubled by any attack from the outside. The truth was that it was lifeless. The message of St. John to Sardis begins with the introduction of Christ as the one who possesses the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
John told the Christians of Sardis that the letter in Revelation was from, 'These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.' John admonishes them, "Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die; for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 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.
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels." (Rev. 3:2-5).
|
|
|
|
| The letter to the church in Philadelphia
|
|
|
|
|
Philadelphia is modern Alasehir. It was a city of commercial importance. The name means "Brotherly Love".
Except for Smyrna, Philadelphia is the only church among the seven about which nothing bad is said by John. The Christians in Philadelphia are small in number and poor, but they have not denied Christ. They faithful. This is why John wrote. "you have kept my word, and have not denied my name."
These are the promises of the Risen Christ to those who are faithful:
The faithful Christian will be a pillar in the Temple of God.
Jesus Christ will write upon the faithful Christian the name of his God.
On the faithful Christian the name of the new Jerusalem is to be written.
On the faithful Christian Christ will write his own new name.
Because of this the Lord will reward them, and at the hour of trial will stand by them.
John wrote to the church at Philadelphia: "I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars-I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown." (Rev. 3:9-11)
|
|
|
|
| The letter to the church in Laodicea
|
|
|
|
|
Laodicea is near Pamukkale. It was the wealthiest city in Phrygia during Roman times. It was widely known for its banking establishments, medical school, and textile industry. Its major weakness was lack of a water supply.
The Christians of Laodicea are accused of being 'Luke warm'.
Laodicea prided itself on its wealth. It was rich and had need of nothing. Wealth can do much, but there are things that it can never do. It can not buy happiness, or give a man health.
Laodicea prited itself on its clothing trade. The risen Christ advises Laodicea to buy gold refined in the fire. The water of Hierapolis is hot, and the water of Colossae is cold. The water which reached Laodicea after travelling some seven kilometers by pipe-line was hard to swallow.
John warns the church at Laodicea: "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne." (Rev. 3:19-21).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SEVEN CHURCHES TOUR
|
|
|
| 1st DAY: ISTANBUL
|
|
|
|
|
|
Flight and arrival in Istanbul.
|
|
|
|
| 2nd DAY: ISTANBUL - BERGAMA - IZMIR
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the morning after breakfast drive to Yenikapi for a ferryboat trip to Yalova. After drive to Pergamum, visit the Acropolis of Pergamum, the Asclepion and the Red Hall Basilica, firstly used as temple to several Egyptian Gods, later on used as a church dedicated to St. John the Apostle. Then drive to Izmir. Dinner and overnight.
|
|
|
|
| 3rd DAY: IZMIR - EFES - PAMUKKALE
|
|
|
|
|
|
After breakfast visit Smyrna. After drive to Ephesus, the most impressive archaeological site in Turkey, which shows evidence of several past cultures. Some of the places to be seen at Ephesus are the Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, the Theatre, the Library of Celsus, the House of Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John. After drive to Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight.
|
|
|
|
| 4th DAY: PAMUKKALE - LAODICEA - COLOSSAE - PAMUKKALE
|
|
|
|
|
|
After breakfast visit Pamukkale. with its spectacular calcium deposits formed by water spilling over the hillside. This water is in all seasons about 35ºC warm. Visit the nearby ancient city Hierapolis and later on Laodicea, both are listed as the center of Epaphras's work. After the visits continue Colossae. Dinner and overnight.
|
|
|
|
| 5th DAY: PAMUKKALE - PHILADELPHIA - SARDIS - THYATIRA - BURSA
|
|
|
|
|
|
After breakfast drive to Philadelphia, visit Philadelphia and after visit Sardis, Thyatira. Drive to Bursa. Dinner and overnight in Bursa.
|
|
|
|
| 6th DAY: BURSA - ISTANBUL
|
|
|
|
|
|
After breakfast visit of Bursa including the Great Mosque, the Green Mosque, the Great Mausoleum. After lunch continue to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
|
|
|
|
| 7th DAY: ISTANBUL
|
|
|
|
|
|
Breakfast at hotel. Departure for a full day city tour. Visit the Hippodrome, the center of Byzantine civil activities, where the Obelisk of Theodosius, the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. are located. Next visit the world famous Byzantine Basilica St. Sophia built by Constantine the Great, Blue Mosque, the only mosque which has six minarets and takes its name from its magnificent interior decorations of blue Iznik tiles. After lunch visit the ancient city walls 7km long, whichwhere once the mightiest fortifications in Christendom, the St. Chora, 11th century church of St. Savior which is a remarkable museum of Byzantine art and the church of Sergius and Bachuss. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
|
|
|
|
| 8th DAY: ISTANBUL
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer to the airport and assistance with the formalities for departure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turkey Tour Packages & Destination List
