Our first stop was the Acropolis of Pergamon, which was a small mountain settlement until the beginning of the 3rd century BC. We had hoped and counted on warmer weather today (no bueno), but at least we stayed dry! :/ The wind is also notable since we had to ride cable cars to the top of the mountain. Holy wind tunnel, Batman. BUT, nobody fell out so it's all good. Another incredible site, with more to see than you could imagine. Some places we saw included the library (where books and scrolls were a rare commodity so the use of parchment was begun, along with the binding of books for durability), the Temple of Trajan, and the location where the Altar of Zeus was discovered. Oh and all kinds of little nooks and crannies under the temple which were pretty spectacular! The letter written to Pergamum is below. Note that the altar of Zeus is "Satan's throne," and the Christians were commended for not giving in to the pressure of their society to also worship other gods.
Revelations 2:12-17 And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
From there, we stopped at the Red Basilica, which was erected by the Romans to honor the Egyptian gods that they'd become infatuated with during their rule of their people. Huge brick structures made it easy to picture the statues that would've obviously been present at that time.
Next, we traveled the short distance to the Asclepion, or healing center/hospital...complete with sacred fountain, theatre to entertain the patients, and the opium smoke-filled tunnel that patients would walk through for treatments. (We also saw some military units training nearby, but don't expect any pics of that...we were warned. Man...you know I wanted to...UGH)
After the most amazing lunch since we arrived in Turkey...for real...local home-cooking restaurant that had us basically licking the plates...we headed on to Thyatira, another church addressed in the churches of Revelation. Read their letter below:
Revelation 2:18-29 And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
This city was similar to Philadelphia, in that there was very little to see and so few reminders of the former occupants. For the most part, only the palace of the bishop remained.
Last stop of the day was Smyrna, attended by Steve alone, as the rest of the crew were on their preverbal last legs. But he pushed through and captured some great pictures for us. See the Revelation letter to this church below and note the absence of condemnation here as well:
Revelations 2:8-11 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
May we all be faithful unto death, never fearing what we are currently, or may be, about to suffer. For His Glory in 2020!
