Biblical Sites in Turkey :
In the book of Revelation of the Bible are written messages
to seven of the most prominent churches of the Roman Province
of Asia,which are located in western Turkey. When we use the
word “ church ” we mean a group of Christians,
not a building.
Therefore
on a tour of the seven churches we are not looking for
remnants of church structures. However, a visit to the
impressive excavations of the sites of the ancient Roman
cities where these seven churches existed can be quite
fascinating, informative and moving. These sites show Marks
of the passing empires and cultures of the Greeks, Roman,
Byzantines, Selcuk Turks, Ottomans and the modern Turkish
Republic. A visitor to these ancient places find remains of
massive pagan temples, beautiful Muslim mosques, as well as
many Christian church buildings, which were of course built
much later in history. The seven cities mentioned in
Revelation form what the Rev. John Stott “ an irregular
circle” and “ are listed in the order in which a
Messenger might visit them if commissioned to deliver the
letters ”.
Sailing
from the island of Patmos, to which John had been banished,
he would arrive at Ephesus. He would then travel north to
Smyrna and Pergamum, southeast to Thyatira, Sardes and
Philadelphia and finish his journey at Laodiceia. He would
need only to keep to what Professor William Ramsey calls
“ the great circular road that bound together the most
populous, wealthy and influential part of the Province, the
west-central region.” Though the book of Revelation was
penned by the hand of the Apostle John, it is claimed that
these letters emanate directly emanate from the lips of the
ascended and glorified Jesus Christ. Stott notes that “
in them, by praise and censure, warning and exhortation. He
makes plain much of His will for His people. The seven
churches of Asia, though historical, represent the local
churches of all ages and of all lands ”. The onslaught
on the Church was physical through a persecuting emperor and
his deputies, intellectual through false cults and moral
through sub - Christian ethical standards. As we look around
the world today, the same pressures harassing different
churches and the messages in these letters are also fort he
Church in the world. Stott says “ it’s a call to
Christians to endure tribulation to hold fast to the truth to
resist the deceptions of the devil and to obey the
commandments of God.” In each of the seven letters,
which follow, the risen Christ lays emphasis, either in
rebuke or in commendation of one particular characteristic of
an ideal church. Put together, these characteristic
constitute the seven Marks of a true and living church.
Biblical Tour 1
Tour Code : BT101
Travel Time
: 5 Nights 6 Days
Prices : Please
Ask
Please click for Inquiry Form
Tour Plan :
Day
1 : Izmir
Arrive
at Izmir Airport . Meet and transfer to hotel. Visit the
church of St. POLICARP which the oldest church in ancient
Smyrna, it symbolized the community of the Seven Churches
of the Apocalypse. Then visit Alexander the Great’s
“ Velvet Castle “ overlooking the bay of
Izmir.
Day
2 : Izmir - Pergamum - Thyatira - Pamukkale
Visit
Pergamum, the Acropolis and the Asclepion, then drive to
Akhisar to visit the Church of ancient Thyatira. Return to
Izmir.
Day
3 : Izmir - Sardes - Philadelphia - Pamukkale
Drive
to Sardes, ancient capital city of the Lydians and the
visit Church of Sardes. Continue to Alasehir where the
ancient Philadelphia Church is located. Walk the streets of
Philadelphia, then proceed to Pamukkale, the white
“Cotton Castle” with lime cascades of the Roman
spa, see the ancient city of Hierapolis. The Martyrium of
St. Philip the Apostle is here. Enjoy a leisurely bath in
the hot spring pool of your hotel.
Day
4 : Pamukkale - Laodicea - Miletos - Kusadasi
Morning
visit to Eskihisar, the ancient Laodicea, then drive to
Miletos,where St. Paul gave a speech to Christianity.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day
5 : Kusadasi - Ephesus - Kusadasi
Full
day visit to the unforgettable remains of Ephesus, the
House of the Virgin Mary, the Archaeological Museum and the
Basilica of Saint John.
Day
6 : Kusadasi - Izmir
Transfer
to Izmir Airport. End of our services.
Biblical
References
The
Seven Churches mentioned by St. John in the Book of
Revelations (The Apocalypse) are all found in Turkey and
each was a founding community of Christianity.
| Smyrna | Revelation | 2:8-11 |
| Pergamum | Revelation | 2:12-17 |
| Thyatira | Revelation | 2:18-19 Acts 16:14 |
| Sardes | Revelation | 3:1-6 |
| Philadelphia | Revelation | 3:7-13 |
| Laodicea | Revelation | 3:14-22 |
| Ephesus | Revelation | 1:11:2:1-7 Acts18:19-28:19 |
Included :
| • Transfer from airport or hotel and back | |
| • Transportation by a comfortable AC non smoking Luxurious car / Van with professional driver. | |
| • Professional and experienced licensed guide during the tours. | |
| • Entry fees to the museums and sites. ( Including Terrace Houses in Ephesus ) | |
| • Parking fees. | |