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Acts to Revelation | Episode 17

August 1, 2018

27:31

Drive Thru History: Acts to Revelation

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Acts to Revelation | Episode 17

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Dave Stotts: At the end of our last episode, we were introduced
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to the seven churches of Revelation.
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Since these were actual cities in ancient Asia Minor,
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our next mission is to visit the archeological ruins
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related to all seven sites.
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Dave: We're now back in Turkey where we'll begin our
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whirlwind journey through the seven churches of Revelation.
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Our first stop will be Ephesus which is just a few miles
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from here and we'll trace a semicircular highway route
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through Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira,
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Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
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Since we spent an entire episode here at Ephesus
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during Paul's journeys, we already understand
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the size and importance of this ancient city.
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By the time John was writing Revelation,
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the church at Ephesus was already well established.
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According to early church history, the first bishop
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of Ephesus was Timothy, a student of Paul
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we met earlier in the series.
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Timothy died here in about 97 AD when he tried to preach
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the gospel during the annual festival of Artemis.
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It seems that he so angered the Artemis followers that they beat
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him, dragged him through the streets, and killed him.
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Here at Ephesus, Timothy, whom Paul called a dear son, became
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another in the long line of martyrs for the Christian faith.
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Dave: The apostle, John, spent many years here in Ephesus
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and it was here that John wrote the Gospel of John
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and, most likely, his three Epistles as well.
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Now the cult of Artemis and the worship of the Roman emperor
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thrived here in Ephesus so it's not surprising that opposition
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to paganism and idolatry were prominent themes
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in John's seven letters to the churches of Asia province.
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The apostle, John, returned to Ephesus after Emperor Nerva
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pardoned him from exile on Patmos.
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He died here sometime after 98 AD
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during the reign of Emperor Trajan.
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There was some question regarding the circumstances of
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John's death, some believing he was martyred and others
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believing he died of natural causes.
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According to church historians, John was buried here at Ephesus.
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Dave: I'm about 2 miles from the main city of Ephesus,
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on the ruins of the Basilica of Saint John.
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In the 6th century AD, a Byzantine emperor,
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Justinian, built this church over the ruins marking
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the tomb of Saint John, the apostle.
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Evidence here suggests that a church was built over
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the ruins of the tomb in the 3rd century AD or earlier.
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Now throughout this episode, I'm going to share portions of the
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seven letters to the seven churches that John wrote.
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I don't have time to cover everything but I highly
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recommend you read these letters for yourself.
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Many people throughout history have discovered that these
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2000-year-old writings have special significance
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for their own lives in their own churches.
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Here's a portion of the first letter: "To the angel
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of the church in Ephesus write: I know your deeds,
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your hard work and your perseverance.
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I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people,
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that you have tested those who claim to be apostles
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but are not, and have found them false.
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You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name,
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and have not grown weary.
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Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love
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you had at first.
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Consider how far you have fallen!
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Repent and do the things you did at first,"
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Revelation 2:1 through 5.
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Dave: In this first letter, the church at Ephesus was
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praised for their perseverance, opposition to evil, and
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their rejection of false apostles and pagan practices.
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But they were also criticized for leaving their first love and
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warned to return to the love they had as early Christians.
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Dave: Next stop on our list: Smyrna.
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Dave: Smyrna, an ancient city now surrounded
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by the modern Turkish city of Izmir, was originally
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established around 1000 BC.
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Greek settlers established old Smyrna on this small
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peninsula jutting out into the Aegean Sea.
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Now it was in old Smyrna that the famous Greek poet Homer,
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author of "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey,"
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was born around 850 BC.
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History tells us that a shrine to Homer stood in the city
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during the Roman period.
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After the time of Alexander the Great in the late 4th century
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BC, new Smyrna was built by the Seleucids along the
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coasts and up these slopes of Mount Pagos.
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Now this region eventually developed into Asia Province
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during the Roman period, and Smyrna, strategically located
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between Ephesus to the south and Pergamum to the north,
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developed into a wealthy port city.
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In fact, it was one of the most important cities of the entire
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province with a population of nearly 100.000 residents.
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During the Roman period, ancient historians said that Smyrna
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was a city of great beauty and impressive architecture
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that circled Mount Pagos like a crown.
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There was a great harbor, a massive agora, and a theater
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on the northwest mountain slope that could hold 20.000 people.
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This wealthy city was also known for its exceptionally good wine.
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Smyrna was severely damaged by an earthquake
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in 178 AD but was quickly rebuilt.
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Now the layout of the city we see here today and most of these
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structures are pretty much the same as they were in
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the late 1st century when John was writing.
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Here's a portion of John's second letter in the book of
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Revelation: "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
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I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich!
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I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews
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and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
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Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.
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I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test
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you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.
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Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you
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life as your victor's crown," Revelation 2:8 through 10.
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In this letter, John pointed out that the Christians in Smyrna
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had experienced major oppression.
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They were poor but also rich, alluding to the city's
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reputation as being pagan and also wealthy.
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John's letter went on to mention blasphemy by the Jews here in
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Smyrna who he called part of a "synagogue of Satan."
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The letter went on to indicate that some of the Christians here
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in Smyrna would be thrown into prison but John called them
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to be faithful, even unto death.
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This letter was written during the time of Roman persecution
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of Christians under Emperor Domitian.
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In fact, the church here at Smyrna was under
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more opposition than most due to the strong influence
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of emperor worship here in the city.
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Now, people were compelled to offer sacrifices
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of worship to the Roman Caesar.
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Oh, hey, little buddy.
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I oftentimes have this effect on animals.
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And people.
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Now during the time of John, emperor worship
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was required by Roman law.
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Failure to participate was punishable
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by imprisonment or even death.
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Now scholars differ as to the reference "synagogue of Satan"
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but it probably referred to the Jews who not only opposed
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Christianity but were participating
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in the Roman imperial cult.
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As for later church history, Polycarp, a famous historian
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and student of the Apostle John, was martyred here
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in Smyrna in about 156 AD.
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According to tradition, Polycarp was pierced
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with a spear and burned at the stake for refusing to burn
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incense to the Roman emperor.
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His final words: "I bless you, Father, for judging me worthy
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of this hour so that in the company of the martyrs
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I may share the cup of Christ."
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As I leave Smyrna, I can't help but think of the many people
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throughout history, and even today in many places, whose
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decision to follow Christ came at a great personal cost,
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even in many cases, the ultimate cost.
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Reading about the lives and deaths of early Christians
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serves as a sober reminder that the choice to follow Christ
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even in our day sometimes comes at a very high price.
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Our next stop is Pergamum about 50 miles north.
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Dave: This is the ancient city of Pergamum.
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Now the recorded history of this amazing place starts in 400 BC
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when it was a military town for 10.000 mercenaries
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for Cyrus the Younger.
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Centuries later, it grew into the capital of the kingdom of
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Pergamum before it was granted to Rome in 133 BC.
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It then became the Roman capital of Asia Province.
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Now by the time John wrote his seven letters, Pergamum was
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no longer the capital but it was the second most
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important city in Asia Minor behind Ephesus.
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This metropolis probably had a population
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of over 100.000 people.
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Pergamum is known for this unusual two-tier acropolis
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where most of the temples were located.
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It's also home to an 80-row theater
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with a seating capacity of 10.000.
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It's known as the steepest theater in the ancient world
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and if you tripped on your way out, you might just find
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yourself in a busted-up heap at the bottom.
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Dave: This place is incredible, one of the most dramatic
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archeological sites I have ever explored.
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Dave: Here's what it probably looked like at the time of John.
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Dave: In the 2nd century BC, King Eumenes II had the famous
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Pergamum Altar constructed here.
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It was one of the largest altars in the ancient world.
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Incredibly, German archeologists in the late 19th century removed
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the entire altar structure from its location at ancient Pergamum
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and transported it, piece by piece, to Berlin, Germany.
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It was rebuilt in a massive museum which was appropriately
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named the Pergamum Museum.
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The museum was fortified throughout the two World Wars
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and the Pergamum Altar survived a number of aerial bombings.
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It is said that Adolf Hitler saw great power,
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even supernatural power, in pagan artifacts like this.
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So with that as our set-up, here is the letter to Pergamum
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from the book of Revelation: "To the angel of the church
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in Pergamum write: I know where you
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live--where Satan has his throne.
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Yet you remain true to my name.
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You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days
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of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death
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in your city--where Satan lives.
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Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are
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some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam,
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who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin
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so that they ate food sacrificed to idols
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and committed sexual immorality.
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Repent therefore!"
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Revelation 2:12 through 16.
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The throne of Satan and where Satan lives are phrases that
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have been interpreted in various ways but all linked to pagan
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worship here at Pergamum.
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Usually, the throne of Satan is connected directly to the
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Pergamum Altar which was shaped somewhat like a gigantic throne
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and often associated with Zeus.
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Now, later in the letter, the Christians at the church
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in Pergamum were reprimanded for the teaching of Balaam,
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the sacrificing to idols, and immorality,
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all of which are related to paganism.
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It seems some Christians here were participating
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in rituals to pagan gods.
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At the end of the letter, these Christians are called
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to repent and turn from their evil ways.
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Dave: Our next stop, Thyatira, is about 40 miles
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southeast of here.
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Dave: The ancient city of Thyatira became part of the
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Roman republic in 133 BC and was later considered
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one of the major cities in Asia Province.
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Today, most of ancient Thyatira is located beneath
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the modern city of Akhisar.
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Dave: Thyatira is mentioned in both Acts and Revelation
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as being the home town of Lydia and later one
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of the main churches of Asia Minor.
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Paul may have visited Thyatira and brought the gospel here
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during his final journey through Asia Province.
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Archeology hasn't revealed much about Thyatira
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from New Testament times.
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Brief excavations here have uncovered this Roman road
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and part of a public building.
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Investigations at the site have also revealed several
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inscriptions and coins.
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Apparently, many people here worshiped the Greek gods
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of Zeus, Artemis, and Apollo.
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Inscriptions found here also indicate that Thyatira
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was known for many trade deals including leather,
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bronze, pottery, wool, linen, and dyes.
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Dave: First century Thyatira was primarily a pagan city,
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like so many others in the Roman empire.
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But the letter to the church here does contain a specific
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warning about a false self-proclaimed prophetess
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that John calls Jezebel.
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"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: I know your
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deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance,
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and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
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Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate
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that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet.
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By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality
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and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.
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I have given her time to repent of her immorality,
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but she is unwilling," Revelation 2:18 through 25.
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It's likely that Jezebel was an allusion to the evil Phoenician
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queen of ancient Israel who was associated with harlotry
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and witchcraft and served as a warning against the pagan
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practices that this prophetess was trying to teach
00:18:16.060 --> 00:18:19.050
some of the members of the church here.
00:18:19.060 --> 00:18:21.100
00:18:21.110 --> 00:18:26.110
Dave: So that was Thyatira.
00:18:26.120 --> 00:18:28.030
Next stop is Sardis, about 30 miles southeast of here.
00:18:28.040 --> 00:18:32.010
00:18:32.020 --> 00:18:41.180
00:18:42.080 --> 00:18:51.260
Dave: Located on a major highway connecting the
00:18:52.150 --> 00:18:55.000
Aegean coast to the East,
00:18:55.010 --> 00:18:57.100
Sardis was a stronghold city in ancient times.
00:18:57.110 --> 00:19:01.040
The citadel of Sardis was known for its military strength and
00:19:01.050 --> 00:19:05.290
described by some ancient historians as being, quote,
00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:09.020
"The strongest place on earth."
00:19:09.030 --> 00:19:11.230
Now, Sardis became the capital of the Lydian empire
00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:15.060
in the 7th century BC.
00:19:15.070 --> 00:19:17.240
The wealth of the city came from the fertile farmland outside the
00:19:17.250 --> 00:19:21.200
city, the Pactolus River which contained gold dust
00:19:21.210 --> 00:19:25.100
and, more specifically, an alloy called electrum.
00:19:25.110 --> 00:19:29.070
Now, the Lydian empire is said to have invented coinage
00:19:29.080 --> 00:19:33.080
and the Lydian stater is famous for having been
00:19:33.090 --> 00:19:36.180
the earliest type of coin ever minted.
00:19:36.190 --> 00:19:40.240
Dave: During the Roman period, one of the things Sardis was
00:19:40.250 --> 00:19:43.150
known for was this incredible gymnasium and bath complex.
00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:48.030
Yeah, I was here about 15 or so years ago
00:19:48.040 --> 00:19:50.290
when I rocked the push-ups.
00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:53.220
I wonder if anybody here remembers me.
00:19:53.230 --> 00:19:55.210
Dave: Seventy-one, seventy-two, feel the burn.
00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:58.220
Hey, hey, hey!
00:19:58.230 --> 00:20:00.020
Keep that camera up here please, thanks.
00:20:00.030 --> 00:20:01.230
Seventy-three, seventy-four, seventy-five.
00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:05.220
Dave: Yeah, it's probably better that they didn't.
00:20:05.230 --> 00:20:08.060
Dave: During the 1st century, Sardis also had a theater
00:20:08.070 --> 00:20:11.050
that fit about 20.000 people, a stadium for about 12.000,
00:20:11.060 --> 00:20:15.280
an aqueduct, and temples to Roman emperors
00:20:15.290 --> 00:20:19.140
such as Augustus and Tiberius.
00:20:19.150 --> 00:20:22.110
However, as impressive as this ancient city was, John had some
00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:26.230
stern warnings for the Christians who lived here:
00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:30.220
"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: I know your deeds;
00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:36.130
you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:40.250
Wake up!
00:20:40.260 --> 00:20:42.110
Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have
00:20:42.120 --> 00:20:45.020
found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.
00:20:45.030 --> 00:20:49.070
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard;
00:20:49.080 --> 00:20:52.210
hold it fast, and repent.
00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:55.160
But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief,
00:20:55.170 --> 00:20:59.080
and you will not know at what time I will come to you,"
00:20:59.090 --> 00:21:03.070
Revelation 3:1 through 3.
00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:06.010
In this letter, the Christians have a reputation for being
00:21:08.060 --> 00:21:10.270
alive yet dead and were then commanded to wake up
00:21:10.280 --> 00:21:15.130
and strengthen the things that remain.
00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:18.190
Some scholars have suggested that this language
00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:20.260
pointed to the destructive earthquake of 17 AD
00:21:20.270 --> 00:21:24.270
which totally destroyed the city.
00:21:24.280 --> 00:21:27.240
Sardis's name and reputation survived
00:21:27.250 --> 00:21:30.230
but the city was destroyed.
00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:32.250
Furthermore, the earthquake happened in the middle of the
00:21:32.260 --> 00:21:34.210
night when the people were asleep and the residents
00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:36.210
apparently had not paid attention to the tremors
00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:39.250
leading up to this massive earthquake.
00:21:39.260 --> 00:21:43.010
Dave: Our next stop on this whirlwind road trip through the
00:21:47.230 --> 00:21:50.210
churches of Revelation is the ancient site of Philadelphia.
00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:55.090
00:21:55.100 --> 00:22:00.250
Dave: Philadelphia, meaning brotherly love, was the sixth
00:22:04.080 --> 00:22:07.150
city addressed in the letters of Revelation.
00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:10.120
It's also the city we know least about because we haven't found
00:22:10.130 --> 00:22:13.160
many archeological ruins here.
00:22:13.170 --> 00:22:16.050
Today, ancient Philadelphia is buried underneath
00:22:16.060 --> 00:22:19.050
this modern city of Alasehir.
00:22:19.060 --> 00:22:22.270
An inscription discovered here suggests that Philadelphia was
00:22:22.280 --> 00:22:26.020
founded back as early as the 2nd century BC under
00:22:26.030 --> 00:22:30.010
the reign of King Eumenes II of Pergamum.
00:22:30.020 --> 00:22:33.140
He named Philadelphia after his younger brother, Attalus II,
00:22:33.150 --> 00:22:38.120
whose nickname was Philadelphus in honor
00:22:38.130 --> 00:22:41.220
and loyalty to his older brother, the king.
00:22:41.230 --> 00:22:45.160
During the 1st century, Philadelphia was situated on the
00:22:45.170 --> 00:22:48.270
imperial military route west to Rome, meaning the city would see
00:22:48.280 --> 00:22:53.090
regular visits from soldiers, travelers, and merchants.
00:22:53.100 --> 00:22:57.200
The soil around Philadelphia was renowned, leading
00:22:57.210 --> 00:23:01.030
to the production of exceptional grapes and wine.
00:23:01.040 --> 00:23:04.070
However, in 92 AD Emperor Domitian issued an edict for
00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:09.140
Asia Province which required many vineyards to be cut down
00:23:09.150 --> 00:23:13.030
and replaced with corn.
00:23:13.040 --> 00:23:15.100
This action damaged the reputation
00:23:15.110 --> 00:23:17.210
and economy of Philadelphia.
00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:21.110
Dave: Very little is known about the buildings and the lay-outs
00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:24.180
of the Philadelphia of the Roman period.
00:23:24.190 --> 00:23:27.140
As you can see, some remains of a theater have been discovered
00:23:27.150 --> 00:23:31.020
and coins indicate that at the end of the 2nd century
00:23:31.030 --> 00:23:34.140
an imperial temple was erected here.
00:23:34.150 --> 00:23:37.160
Otherwise, we just don't know much yet about
00:23:37.170 --> 00:23:39.250
the Philadelphia of John's time.
00:23:39.260 --> 00:23:42.060
However, we do know this: the church here
00:23:42.070 --> 00:23:44.250
at Philadelphia was solid.
00:23:44.260 --> 00:23:47.130
It's the only church of the seven that wasn't criticized for
00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:50.200
anything: "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
00:23:50.210 --> 00:23:57.150
I know your deeds.
00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:59.190
See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.
00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:04.130
I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept
00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:07.120
my word and have not denied my name.
00:24:07.130 --> 00:24:10.180
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also
00:24:10.190 --> 00:24:14.230
keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come
00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:18.060
on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
00:24:18.070 --> 00:24:22.050
I am coming soon.
00:24:22.060 --> 00:24:24.250
Hold on to what you have, so that no one
00:24:24.260 --> 00:24:27.190
will take your crown," Revelation 3:7 through 11.
00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:32.110
00:24:33.060 --> 00:24:36.020
Dave: And with that, we're off to our final destination on
00:24:36.270 --> 00:24:39.270
our tour of the seven churches of Revelation: Laodicea.
00:24:39.280 --> 00:24:44.180
00:24:44.190 --> 00:24:54.140
00:24:54.220 --> 00:25:02.010
Dave: I'm here at the final church from
00:25:02.230 --> 00:25:04.280
the Revelation account: Laodicea.
00:25:04.290 --> 00:25:07.230
What an incredible place.
00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:10.120
Much of Laodicea has only been excavated and reconstructed
00:25:10.130 --> 00:25:14.090
in the last decade or so.
00:25:14.100 --> 00:25:16.120
Dave: "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:22.160
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.
00:25:22.170 --> 00:25:26.160
I wish you were either one or the other!
00:25:26.170 --> 00:25:29.270
So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor
00:25:29.280 --> 00:25:32.210
cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:36.150
You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth
00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:39.170
and do not need a thing.'
00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:41.180
But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful,
00:25:41.190 --> 00:25:45.170
poor, blind and naked.
00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:48.220
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.
00:25:48.230 --> 00:25:52.270
So be earnest and repent. Here I am!
00:25:52.280 --> 00:25:56.220
I stand at the door and knock.
00:25:56.230 --> 00:25:59.270
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in
00:25:59.280 --> 00:26:04.150
and eat with that person, and they with me,"
00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:08.090
Revelation 3:14 through 20.
00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:11.240
Laodicea has a tremendous story to tell.
00:26:13.280 --> 00:26:17.080
It's a story that'll help us connect the dots
00:26:17.090 --> 00:26:19.200
of Christian history from the 1st century to today.
00:26:19.210 --> 00:26:23.160
We'll explore that story in our next episode.
00:26:23.170 --> 00:26:26.220
00:26:27.110 --> 00:26:31.030
00:26:32.010 --> 00:26:41.240
00:26:42.050 --> 00:26:51.240
00:26:52.030 --> 00:27:02.020
00:27:02.110 --> 00:27:12.050
CC by Aberdeen Captioning 1-800-688-6621 abercap.com
00:27:26.280 --> 00:27:29.260

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Acts to Revelation | Episode 17

Acts to Revelation | Episode 17

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Acts to Revelation | Episode 17

Acts to Revelation | Episode 17

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