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 Laodicea. 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 :
Adult from 575 USD
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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 Archaelogical 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 Terraces House in Ephesus ) | |
| • Parking fees. | |
| • Lunch. |