Day 3: Today, we embarked on an early morning journey to Sardis, now known as Sart, one of the Seven Churches of Asia. This historical city served as the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom, featuring notable sites like the Temple of Artemis, a restored gymnasium, and a reconstructed synagogue. We will also explore remnants of the royal Persian Road and the famous Pactolus River.

Our travels will then take us to Philadelphia, or Alasehir, another of the Seven Churches of Asia, praised for its lack of criticism. We observed the remains of a Byzantine basilica with distinctive architecture and 11th-century frescoes.

Lastly, we visit Hierapolis, now Pamukkale, renowned for its hot mineral springs creating stunning natural formations, before settling in at a Thermal Hotel for the night.

Day 4: After enjoying breakfast this morning, we embark on a scenic drive Laodicea and thereafter Ephesus to explore the ancient city’s captivating history.

Laodicea, established in the C3 BCE by the Seleucid Antiochus II, the city was named after his wife Laodicea. Built on the Lycus Tributary of the Meander River, it was surnamed Laodicea on Lycus, to distinguish it from other similarly named cities. Laodicea is the last of the seven churches. As a crossroad of two important roads, this city had an important commercial and logistical position.

Ephesus is known for its significant place in the Christian faith as the Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and even lived here for three years. In fact, the church in Ephesus received an epistle from him. Today, we have the opportunity to tour the remarkable ruins where excavations are still taking place in this once great and vital city founded in the 10th century BC.

As we stroll along the marble streets, we’ll be transported back in time as we take in the magnificent public buildings, such as the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Theatre.

The Temple of Diana of the Ephesians, another of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was also built in this city.

Overall, our visit to Ephesus promises to be an awe-inspiring journey through history, where we can experience the rich culture and heritage of this ancient city.
Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning after breakfast, with packed bags, we visit the Basilica of St. John and the House of Virgin Mary before we are transferred to the airport for our flight home.

As we prepare to head back home, we take some time to reflect on all the amazing memories we’ve made.

Whether it’s the stunning scenery we have witnessed, the delicious local cuisine we tried, or the new friends we made along the way, these experiences will stay with us for a lifetime.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end.
Be sure to book your next tour soon.

Ephesus:

Known as the loveless church, was located at a major harbour on the Aegean Sea and housed one of the seven wonders of the ancient world (a temple to Artemis).

Founded by Paul, this was the most prominent church in Asia Minor and the 4th largest city in the Roman world. There was widespread slavery, prostitution and idol worship throughout city and gladiator fights were held in 10.000 seat stadium.

Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, located in present-day Turkey. It was one of the most important cities in the ancient world, known for its strategic location, as well as its cultural and economic significance. Ephesus was a major centre of trade and commerce, with a bustling port that connected it to other cities around the Mediterranean.
One of the most famous landmarks in Ephesus is the Temple of Artemis, which was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The city was also home to the Library of Celsus, an impressive ancient library that stored thousands of scrolls and manuscripts.

Ephesus was a hub of culture and learning, attracting scholars, philosophers, and artists from all over the ancient world. The city was also a centre of early Christianity, with the Apostle Paul visiting and writing to the Ephesians. Today, Ephesus is a popular archaeological site, attracting visitors who come to marvel at the well-preserved ruins and learn about the city.

The Terrace Houses are now open for viewing. Along Curetes Street, just behind the shops near the Library of Celsus there are six luxurious residential buildings that were in use from the 1st century AD through the 7th century AD. Because of their location on the slopes of Mt. Coressus they have become known as the Slope Houses or the Terrace Houses.

The letter to Ephesus warns against false teachers and evil in the world and admonishes for having forsaken their first love.
Revelation 2:1 -7

Smyrna:

The home of Homer and the temple of Athena, was a beautiful, bustling seaport. In the second century A.D., Rome martyred Polycarp, its bishop.

There was no rebuke for this persecuted church. Although they were continually under physical hardship, the people of Smyrna were promised that they would not be hurt by the second death. They were encouraged to stay faithful, even when facing physical death.

Wealthy city – popular in science, medicine end architecture.
A very political city with persecuted and poor christians.
Massive pagan worship to goddess Cybele.
Had a day to cut themselves and dance in the temple.
Male priests were castrated and called the third gender.
Oracles and spirits would speak through a priestess.
Christians were poor but had faith and loved the Lord.
Revelation 2:8-11

Pergamum:

This is the location of Rome’s provincial capital, was a major cultural hub that housed a library rivaling the famed Alexandrian library.

This church was also known as the tolerant church. Although they refused to deny Christ, they allowed sin like idols, immorality, cults and heresies to remain among them.

It was located on a hill – and was once the capital of Asia Minor.
They had temples to Caesar and Zeus – A stronghold city for idol worship.
Patron goddess Athena was to protect the city.
Jesus called it the place where Satan dwells.
Antipas was martyred here.
Nicolaitans promoted a distorted “extreme grace” doctrine.

Revelation 2:12-17

Thyatira:

The church of Thyatira had love, faith and good works. They were even patient people who were eager to grow. Where they fell short was their doctrine, which was infiltrated by idolatry, sexual sin and pagan traditions.

it was a small town in Asia Minor and well known for it’s colourful dyes.
It was in a valley with many trade routes through it
Acts 16:14 – Lydia was a seller of cloth
The chief deity was Apollo – linked with the power of the sun.
They allowed Jezebel to seduce the servants of God.

Revelation 2:18-29

Sardis:

Almost all of the people in the church of Sardis had fallen asleep spiritually, except for a small remnant of believers. The Dead Church was encouraged to kindle and revive any small bit of faith they had left.

It was known for it’s carpet industry.
The city was destroyed by an earthquake.
Gold was found nearby and made the kings very wealthy. They had a Royal Road connecting it to Persian cities
Their chief deity was Artemis – the mother goddess.

Revelation 3:1-6

Philadelphia:

Known as the “Gateway to the East, was renowned for its grapes, textiles, and leather goods.

Philadelphia did well. There was no rebuke for this church of faith. They kept the name of Jesus and never denied it. There is a promise in the kingdom of heaven for these Christians.

It was located an the foot of a mountain West Central Turkey and an important travel route linking to to Laodicea.
The city was destroyed by an earthquake and people remained in fear.
The city was rebuilt by Emperor Tiberius.
There was a lot of agriculture, wool and wine making due to the ground in this region.
They also produced a lot of leather.

Revelation 3:7-13

Laodicea lay in Phrygia’s Lycus Valley, ten miles west of Colosse and six miles south of Hierapolis. Pagan worship, especially of Zeus but also of numerous other deities flourished there.

We know from Acts 13:14–50 and 14:15 that a significant Jewish community lived in and around Laodicea. However, they seem to have blended into Greek culture in many respects. We know this because, by the third century, illustrations on some coins had mixed together Jewish and pagan versions of the Flood stories.

Laodicea boasted great resources, but had a poor water supply. Ancient sources state that it was full of sediment, and excavation of the city’s terra cotta pipes reveal thick lime deposits, which suggest heavy contamination. Because Laodicea had to pipe in its water, it grew lukewarm by the time of its arrival.

The point of lukewarm water is simply that it is disgusting, in contrast to the more directly useful “hot” and “cold” water.

Jesus thus finds the church in Laodicea to be other than what he desires (Isa. 5:2–6).

In today’s English, he is telling the self-satisfied church in Laodicea: “I want water that will refresh me, but you remind me instead of the water you always complain about.”

Revelation 3:14-22