Visiting the land where the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation once were has truly been one of my favorite adventures to this day. I am not a big history girl, and honestly looking back on past times I can remember cheating my way through a lot of history classes. Unfortunate to say, but it’s the truth. I think this trip really redeemed a desire to know more history, specifically biblical history.
So to those who donated towards this adventure for my team and I to experience I want to give my sincerest thank you. At each location my team and I would gather together where we thought or knew the church to have originally been. Together then we would read the letter to the church that John wrote and talk about the significance of those words then and how they pertain to us and our world today. Before our trip I spent quite a bit of time studying these passages and listening to teaching. To walk the grounds of these past times really brought the truth to life.
To share with you just a bit more I will attach a few photos along with an excerpt from my Facebook posts on each church individually. To see all of the photos you are more than welcome to go check them out on my Facebook profile! Once again, I want to say thank you to those who blessed us with this opportunity!!
Ephesus
”“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’“
Revelation 2:1-7
The primary message of this letter was to call the people back to return to their first love, to turn their eyes back on Jesus. A big part of returning to our “first love” is to remember. Remembering and recalling the Lords goodness, the testimonies of His faithfulness and His love for us! If you feel far from God today, know He is not far from you! He is walking with you! Remember who He is! Return to your first love. ❤️
Smyrna (Current day Izmir)
”“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.’“
Revelation 2:8-11
My team and I tried going inside the gates and museums a few weeks ago and showed up too late and it was closed. Again this trip we wouldn’t have made it on time but here’s a few photos from this location. Most of the ancient city is gone now but it was still cool to see what the modern day city looks like in comparison!
The letter to Smyrna was one of the two that didn’t receive any correction from Jesus. The church knew how to be faithful even in persecution. Jesus tells them to be faithful unto death and to the ones who conquer they will receive a crown of life! This letter really opened my eyes to the intensity of suffering in persecution, and that even in my suffering that doesn’t even compare to that of these people I am to still remain faithful.
Pergamum (Current city Bergama)
”“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.’“
Revelation 2:13-17
Pergamum was a very wealthy city back then and a central place of idolatry. Even seeing this site today we still saw them selling idols. In this letter Jesus tells of Himself as the “sharp two-edged sword”. This is to bring the people to repentance. The sword, His Word, Jesus Himself, will cut us and shape us and prune us. It will lead us to a place of repentance. In this letter the church was standing for the gospel but at the same time not fighting for the true doctrine. It was Jesus AND idol worship and sexual immorality. Jesus calls them to repent from following false teaching and receive the true bread, His word, and be fed. What are you filling yourself up with today? Are you solely leaning on and filling yourself up with Truth?
Thyatira (Current city Akhisar)
”“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.’“
Revelation 2:18-29
Pergamum was also known for idolatry and sexual immorality. Jesus shows himself as “the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.” That He is God himself. His eyes like flames of fire show His passionate love, to purify and cleanse us, and of grace and judgement to bring the church closer to Him. His feet like burnished bronze show a symbol of judgement against sin, His commitment as a mighty warrior, and His execution of justice. He will not allow His church to walk in immorality. This church was given many affirmations thought before being corrected. Jesus says “I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.” Then He corrects them, and speaks of how this woman Jezebel has been given time to repent but still refuses. This will lead to more tribulation. But to those who hold on to Truth, they will receive many rewards, including “the morning star”, Jesus himself. Another call of repentance.
Sardis
”“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’“
Revelation 3:1-6
Sardis was a church that didn’t receive any affirmation from Jesus, only correction. Although the church had a good reputation it was dead. The church in Sardis died because they didn’t let the Holy Spirit control their assembly. To the few ones who did not “soil their garments”, who remained faithful, Jesus promises to never “blot their name out of the book of life”. Those who are not ashamed of Christ during their earthly lives will be acknowledged by Christ before the Father and before angels. Are you awake and alert relying on the Holy Spirit and walking in obedience?
Philadelphia (Current city Alasehir)
”“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’“
Revelation 3:7-13
There aren’t really any remains left from Philadelphia today but we did climb a hill to where it’s expected to have been and looked at the current city! Philadelphia was one of the two churches that did not receive correction in the letter written to their church. He says that they have “kept my word and have not denied my name”, that they have “kept my word about patient endurance”. Because of this He will keep them “from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world”. Even though the church had little power in itself, its strength was ultimately from the Lord. Who’s power are you relying on today? Are you walking in your own strength or relying on the Lord to carry you in your weakness and be your power and your strength?
Laodicea
”“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”“
Revelation 3:14-22
Laodecia, one of my favorites to see in person! Such a beautiful place and so much of this ancient city is still in tact. This was a church that again only received correction. Kind of painful to thing Jesus didn’t have any affirmation to give them. This is the church famously known for being “lukewarm”. Back then water in Laodicea was not drinkable, so the city had its water pumped in from surrounding cities- hot water from Hierapolis and cold water from Colossae. By the time the water reached Laodecia though it was lukewarm just like the church there. In their day hot water was useful for healing and restoration and cold water was refreshing to drink and quenched peoples thirst. But the water in Laodecia was lukewarm, distasteful and unsatisfying. This symbolism was to show the church that they pushed Christ outside and He was left knocking at the door. His invitation then is for anyone who hears His voice, He will “come in to him and eat with him, and he with me”. Have you pushed Christ outside of your life today? Are you lukewarm? Turn back to your first love and trust and follow Jesus fully.
Colossae!
Not one of the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation but was once a biblical city! Also stood and watched one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. Standing on this hill was such a sweet memory where I got to just speak and hear from Jesus!
”To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.“
Colossians 1:2-14
Hierapolis!
Not one of the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation but definitely one of the COOLEST ancient cities to still see so much of! So many historical remains were still here! It was incredible.
”For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.“
Colossians 4:13
That’s all for now! Check back in soon for an update on how God moved in Turkey! Tuesday my team and I are headed to NEPAL! Thanks for reading. Love you!
