Day 02 - Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea

Day 2 of our Turkey tour did not disappoint! The weather was like yesterday - sunny but chilly in the morning, then warming up to a glorious afternoon. We had a delicious breakfast with coffee and tea, then boarded the bus by 7:45. 

We had a short drive to the ancient city of Sardis, a very prominent city in Asia Minor. 2500 years ago, Sardis would have been comparable to NY city or Hong Kong as far as trade and revenue. We stood on the stones of the trade route that made it possible, from Sardis to Susa (Persia), 2000 miles away! As a wealthy financial center, Sardis was the first city in history to mint coins. 

Because of the Diaspora, two million Jews lived outside the Promised Land vs. 700,000 within. 2,000 Jewish families were sent here by the Persians to live here, conduct business and speak various languages. The large Jewish population necessitated a large synagogue, which we were able to spend some time in as Dr. Hill taught. Not only was it outstanding with its mosaic floor and decorative walls, but that it is the largest from the ancient world, longer than a football field (160')! As the early church grew, an inevitable parting of ways occured between the rabbinic Jews and believers *(see aerial photos).

Adjacent to the synagogue is the Sardis baths/gymnasium complex which reinforced the Greek emphasis on exercise and the physical body. 

The second part of the Sardis visit included the Temple of Artemis. Greek culture held her at the goddess of the hunt but in Asia Minor, she was the goddess of fertility or the Mother Goddess. Although this temple is smaller than the Artemesion in Ephesus, this one was built earlier and stayed active until the 4th century. Built in the 3rd century BC, this imposing structure was never fully completed. Only two of the 50 massive columns with ionic capitals remain standing. 

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you..."

Christ's warning to the Christian Church at Sardis was to WAKE UP! Money, mediocrity, power, culture, compromise, pride, distractions, etc. were some of the issues the church were facing, just as we do today. Perhaps we should ask the same question they were: "How can we honor God but stay relevant ad influential in our culture?"

As we drove to lunch, we discussed Philadelphia (the City of Brotherly Love). Their church was one of only two out of the seven who received commendation but no reprimand. It is still unexcavated so not much to see there.

The last stop for Day 2 was Laodicea, perhaps the most well-known of the Seven Churches of Revelation. The number of columns and the progress of their excavations are astounding! Laodicea had everything: fertile land in the Lycus River Valley, picturesque views, sheep that produced high-quality wool and supported the fashion industry, vast wealth, the best eye salve sold on the market, two theaters for entertainmnent, etc. but they had a water problem. They had to pipe it in from towns miles away - icy cold, spring water from Colossae and mineral-rich hot water from Hieropolis. But by the time it reached Laodicea, it was tepid and unfit to drink until the sediment settled. The whole point is, whether you're "drinking water" or "therapeutic water", BE USEFUL for the KINGDOM!

Speaking of mineral-rich water, we arrived to the special hotel in time to enjoy all it offers: massages, facials, Turkish baths (hot, warm and cold pools), and delicious food! Goodnight from Turkey!