Day 06 - Pergamum, Smyrna

Day 6 - Restoring Power

We have completed Day 6 in Turkiye!! We spent most of our day in Pergamum and then made our way to Smyrna. Pergamum is known as the place of Satan’s throne. Where is the place of Satan’s throne? What places did people seek power? We visited different sites in Pergamum from Zeus’ altar, Trajaneum temple, Theater of Dionysius, Ascelpion, and many other sites in between all searching for Satan’s throne.

Which one is Satan’s throne? The culture of them all. The culture of them was promoting power and triumph over all. In Revelation 2:12-17, it dives into the letter to the church of Pergamum. Satan is the father of lies. The criticism towards this church is having Balaam as a false prophet and allowing the Nicoletians to put self at the center of teaching. Our biggest obstacle is ourselves. We get in the way. We are called to deny ourselves and become living sacrifices. Jesus is better and all-powerful.

A place that stood out to me in Pergamum was Trajaneum temple. Roman triumph happened after following military victory. It involved honoring Caesar and shaming an enemy. In Mark 15, Mark is writing to a Roman audience and paralleled Jesus’ crucifixion to Roman triumph. The reality is Mark is writing to an audience that understands Roman power and triumph. They tried to make Jesus look weak but in actuality Mark shows power and triumph for Jesus.

After Pergamum, we made our way to Smyrna. Smyrna is known as the synagogue of Satan. Polycarp was a faithful man of God for eighty-six years who would not deny his faith. He was martyred in Smyrna by being burned at the stake. In Revelation 2:8-11, the church of Smyrna received a letter of commendation. They faced martyrdom against the Romans. They were going to face suffering and persecution. With persecution, suffering, and martyrdom, they can bring fear. Fear is only rightly placed in God never in men. Satan has no power in someone who has already died. The enemy has no power over Christ. In Christ, through the power of his resurrection this letter offers a crown of life. As soon as I die, I’m with God.

A takeaway from today is real power doesn’t come from this world, our circumstances, or people. Power comes from Christ. He is the ultimate authority and all-powerful. He makes us strong when we are weak. He gives us not a Spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. What does my life in Christ cost me? Nothing because no matter what I face I get to spend eternity with Jesus.
- Faith Wolverton