The Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation

After another long journey in the coach (it would be interesting to count the many hours we have spent in the coach travelling this huge country!!), today we reached Ayvalik, a small island (linked to land by a road) on the Aegean Sea. But coming here we passed through several very important places which are mainly connected to the seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Yesterday, I have already spoken about the Church of Laodicea, which is close to Colossae. Today, we visited Sardis and then passed through Thyatira and Pergamum. We will be visiting Pergamum again tomorrow.

So now we are in the land of St John, who according to tradition was Bishop of Ephesus. The Christian communities in Asia Minor towards the end of the first century experience a number of difficulties: unfaithfulness to the Gospel message, heresies, loss of the original fervor in the faith, persecutions and other trials. The message of the author of the Book of Revelation to the different Churches is that Christians are to remain faithful to the original zeal and to undergo a continual renewal of the faith.

The number seven, as we know, is symbolic: these communities stand for all the Churches who are passing through these trying moments.

The first city we visited today was Sardis. In recent years some very important excavations were made here which show the magnificence of the Roman Empire in a particular way. We visited the great synagogue with its mosaics. Something unexplained in this Synagogue is its form at the back (like an apse) and a kind of altar, which is completely uncharacteristic. Both our guide and Prof. Manns have said that, as yet, no satisfactory explanation was given. Then we saw the majestic Roman Gymnasium with its awesome architecture. I was impressed by the ornate details of the freeze.

Then we moved to visit the Temple of Artemis, just a few meters away. Again, the majesty of these findings is impressive. I have seen many designs on books of these classic temples dedicated to different gods, but I was never so close to the reality of these temples. This temple comes from the 2^nd Century AD and was never really finished. The height and width of the columns dwarf any human person who approaches them!

From the letter to the Church in Sardis (Rev 3,1-6), I would like to select one particular verse: “Remember what you have received and heard; keep that, and repent”.

Moving north-east, we passed through Thyatira, which today is known as Akhisar. Here we did not stop as there are very few and insignificant remains found, at least until now. The letter to the Church to this Church is found in Rev 2,18-29. This letter is mainly one of encouragement: “I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first”. However, in this city there is the presence of a false prophetess by the name of Jezebel who seems to be alluring people to herself. Christians are warned against her and thus to remain faithful to their faith and to their baptismal commitment.

Finally, we reached Pergamum. Although we will visit the city with its remains tomorrow, we read the letter to this Church (Rev 2,12-17). It’s interesting that here reference is made to “the throne of Satan” or “where Satan dwells”, most probably a reference to the very great altar dedicated to Apollo. The structure is 35.64 meters wide and 33.4 meters deep; the front stairway alone is almost 20 meters wide. They are commended for their faithfulness: “you hold fast my name and you did not deny my faith” even in the face of persecution. Reference is also made to “the sword of my mouth”, meaning the Word of God which brings to light all which is in man’s heart (see also Isa 49,2; also Heb 4,12).

No photos today as internet connection is very weak! Sorry.