Study Tour 2013: Izmir

Since the Pegasus flight to Izmir, Turkey wasn't going till 12.30 from Athens, Wayne took a group back to the Acropolis to walk the footsteps of Apostle Paul along the Panathenaic way, near the Agora (reconstructed market place) towards Mars Hill. We also had a closer took at the well preserved temple of Ares and the Tholos (council headquarter) considered the birthplace of democracy.

We landed in Izmir, Turkish airport, boarded the bus and headed for Sardis (three hour drive.) Sardis is one of the 7 churches mentioned in Revelation 1.11: 3.1 & 4. Rev 3.1. Sardis as a church was known as "being alive, yet dead... yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy."
In Sardis the locals worshiped Artemis, her Roman equivalent is Diana. In ancient Greek mythology Artemis was often described as the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo. She was the goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, virginity and protector of young girls, bringing and relieving diseases in women, she was often depicted as a huntress carrying a bow and arrows.

The influence of Artemis worship was very extensive in the region. Apparently the population of Sardis was notoriously soft and faint hearted . The people of Sardis who converted to Christianity would have found it difficult give up the influence of Artemis worship as they became Christians because of their nature. Hence possibly the statement in Revelation of being alive (ie accepted Jesus) "yet dead" because they may have not fully let go of their pagan traditions. In saying that there were few who "did not soil their clothes... they will walk with me dressed in white for they are worthy." (white clothing being a symbol of righteousness.)

Sardis was also know for having great markets, gymnasium and a Jewish synagogue, The synagogue appears to have been compromised and influenced by the local culture in that it had Roman symbols within the synagogue. A highly unusual occurrence as synagogues were known for being free of any images or symbols as per instruction of the first commandment ie "..they will have no other gods before me."

We left Sardis for Alasehir or the ancient city of Philadelphia, another church mentioned in Revelations. The city of Philadelphia was strategically situated in a fertile river valley on the main road from Sardis to Laodicea, directly east of Smyrna. Unfortunately there is little if any evidence of Philadelphia left today. The city of Alasehir is built over what was once the ancient city of Philadelphia. The ruins of what might have been the ancient city of Philadelphia are located on a suburban block, crowded out local buildings and over shadowed by a local mosque. There was a Christian church built in Philadelphia over the ruins of the city. The Christian church was destroyed by an earthquake, so there is very little left to see in Alasehir of the ancient city of Philadelphia. Revelation 3.7 says: "To the angel of the Church in Philadelphia write: these are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens, no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." Because of its strategic location, the christian church had the potential to open the doors to salvation to all who passed through the city or lock people out if the travelers chose to ignore the message.

The day ended rather late 9.20 pm with tea at the beautiful Pamukkale Hot Springs Resort. Couldn't resist but have a hot soak in the hot pools at midnight.