Day 01 - Smyrna & Pergamum

Somewhat well rested but incredibly excited, we set off this morning into Asia Minor and day one of our tour. Our physical starting point was the ancient city of Smyrna, on the shores of the Aegean. Our Scripture was the book of Revelation. Our goal - to see what our Lord’s words meant to the people he wrote them almost 2000 years ago. 

We learned of the history of Smyrna, who among her long and storied history we focused upon two things, she was the first city to support Rome as they were expanding into the region and she was a city who died and was reborn through the patronage of Alexander the Great. These  concepts were used by our Lord to reveal himself to the Church in Smyrna. To encourage them in the face of persecution and call them to take hell for the Kingdom’s sake.

We then settled in for a drive along the Aegean coast - seeing the skyline our brothers and sisters of the early church saw day by day - pondering the passage of time and plans of our Father. Pergamum was our destination, revelation still our text but a new goal was added. We were on the hunt for the “Throne of Satan”. According to Jesus, it was in Pergamum thus our hunt began.    

We started in the Asclepion - where many went to be healed of their diseases regardless of the idol worship. After we checked the Imperial cult of Augustus or Trajan - where political expediency and idolatry intersect. Then we observed the temple of Athena - who fancied herself the embodiment of Wisdom , the way, truth, and life? Then we looked at the cult of Dionysus - the god of pleasure - theaters and appetites. Finally the shrine of Demeter - where acolytes were washed in the blood of pigs to be welcomed into her cult. Regardless of what the exact throne of Satan the fact that there were so many options helps sheds quite a bit of light on Jesus’s description of Pergamum as the place where Satan lives.

Today was an amazing introduction into Asia Minor the world of the New Testament. We saw stunning sites and were challenged to reckon with how following Jesus will intersect with every single aspect of our lives. We head to Sardis to sleep and prepare for a new day and new teachings. Please pray for us! That God may reveal himself to us and we come to know him more!