Acts to Revelation | Episode 17 | TBN
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Acts to Revelation | Episode 17

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Drive Thru History: Acts to Revelation
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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  • 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:30.270
  • 00:00:31.090 --> 00:00:40.270
  • 00:00:41.070 --> 00:00:50.270
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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
  • 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:52.030
  • 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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  • 00:05:14.190 --> 00:05:17.000
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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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  • 00:10:42.170 --> 00:10:49.040
  • 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
  • 00:11:19.290 --> 00:11:23.130
  • 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.
  • 00:11:55.180 --> 00:11:58.110
  • 00:11:58.170 --> 00:12:08.170
  • 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:17.010
  • Dave: This place is incredible, one of the most dramatic
  • 00:12:18.090 --> 00:12:21.060
  • archeological sites I have ever explored.
  • 00:12:21.070 --> 00:12:25.010
  • 00:12:25.020 --> 00:12:34.230
  • 00:12:35.090 --> 00:12:44.290
  • Dave: Here's what it probably looked like at the time of John.
  • 00:12:48.030 --> 00:12:52.030
  • 00:12:52.250 --> 00:13:00.150
  • Dave: In the 2nd century BC, King Eumenes II had the famous
  • 00:13:01.130 --> 00:13:05.230
  • 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
  • 00:13:11.170 --> 00:13:16.030
  • 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
  • 00:13:25.040 --> 00:13:29.000
  • named the Pergamum Museum.
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  • The museum was fortified throughout the two World Wars
  • 00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:35.060
  • and the Pergamum Altar survived a number of aerial bombings.
  • 00:13:35.070 --> 00:13:39.160
  • It is said that Adolf Hitler saw great power,
  • 00:13:39.170 --> 00:13:42.200
  • even supernatural power, in pagan artifacts like this.
  • 00:13:42.210 --> 00:13:47.220
  • So with that as our set-up, here is the letter to Pergamum
  • 00:13:52.040 --> 00:13:55.170
  • from the book of Revelation: "To the angel of the church
  • 00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:59.220
  • in Pergamum write: I know where you
  • 00:13:59.230 --> 00:14:02.200
  • 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
  • 00:14:08.170 --> 00:14:11.230
  • of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death
  • 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:15.100
  • in your city--where Satan lives.
  • 00:14:15.110 --> 00:14:17.270
  • Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are
  • 00:14:17.280 --> 00:14:21.270
  • some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam,
  • 00:14:21.280 --> 00:14:25.090
  • who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin
  • 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:29.080
  • so that they ate food sacrificed to idols
  • 00:14:29.090 --> 00:14:32.080
  • and committed sexual immorality.
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  • Repent therefore!"
  • 00:14:35.020 --> 00:14:36.240
  • Revelation 2:12 through 16.
  • 00:14:36.250 --> 00:14:39.140
  • The throne of Satan and where Satan lives are phrases that
  • 00:14:40.030 --> 00:14:44.030
  • have been interpreted in various ways but all linked to pagan
  • 00:14:44.040 --> 00:14:48.020
  • worship here at Pergamum.
  • 00:14:48.030 --> 00:14:50.150
  • Usually, the throne of Satan is connected directly to the
  • 00:14:50.160 --> 00:14:53.280
  • Pergamum Altar which was shaped somewhat like a gigantic throne
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  • and often associated with Zeus.
  • 00:14:58.220 --> 00:15:01.260
  • Now, later in the letter, the Christians at the church
  • 00:15:01.270 --> 00:15:04.130
  • in Pergamum were reprimanded for the teaching of Balaam,
  • 00:15:04.140 --> 00:15:08.150
  • the sacrificing to idols, and immorality,
  • 00:15:08.160 --> 00:15:12.070
  • all of which are related to paganism.
  • 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:14.290
  • It seems some Christians here were participating
  • 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:17.210
  • in rituals to pagan gods.
  • 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:20.110
  • At the end of the letter, these Christians are called
  • 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:23.000
  • to repent and turn from their evil ways.
  • 00:15:23.010 --> 00:15:27.010
  • Dave: Our next stop, Thyatira, is about 40 miles
  • 00:15:31.040 --> 00:15:34.100
  • southeast of here.
  • 00:15:34.110 --> 00:15:36.260
  • 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:43.140
  • Dave: The ancient city of Thyatira became part of the
  • 00:15:44.070 --> 00:15:46.140
  • Roman republic in 133 BC and was later considered
  • 00:15:46.150 --> 00:15:51.110
  • one of the major cities in Asia Province.
  • 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:54.180
  • Today, most of ancient Thyatira is located beneath
  • 00:15:54.190 --> 00:15:58.150
  • the modern city of Akhisar.
  • 00:15:58.160 --> 00:16:01.120
  • 00:16:01.270 --> 00:16:08.200
  • Dave: Thyatira is mentioned in both Acts and Revelation
  • 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:12.280
  • as being the home town of Lydia and later one
  • 00:16:12.290 --> 00:16:16.030
  • of the main churches of Asia Minor.
  • 00:16:16.040 --> 00:16:19.060
  • Paul may have visited Thyatira and brought the gospel here
  • 00:16:19.070 --> 00:16:23.060
  • during his final journey through Asia Province.
  • 00:16:23.070 --> 00:16:27.210
  • Archeology hasn't revealed much about Thyatira
  • 00:16:28.140 --> 00:16:31.120
  • from New Testament times.
  • 00:16:31.130 --> 00:16:33.170
  • Brief excavations here have uncovered this Roman road
  • 00:16:33.180 --> 00:16:36.260
  • and part of a public building.
  • 00:16:36.270 --> 00:16:39.130
  • Investigations at the site have also revealed several
  • 00:16:39.140 --> 00:16:41.290
  • inscriptions and coins.
  • 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:44.160
  • Apparently, many people here worshiped the Greek gods
  • 00:16:44.170 --> 00:16:47.280
  • of Zeus, Artemis, and Apollo.
  • 00:16:47.290 --> 00:16:51.000
  • Inscriptions found here also indicate that Thyatira
  • 00:16:51.010 --> 00:16:54.120
  • was known for many trade deals including leather,
  • 00:16:54.130 --> 00:16:57.280
  • bronze, pottery, wool, linen, and dyes.
  • 00:16:57.290 --> 00:17:02.150
  • 00:17:02.290 --> 00:17:07.040
  • Dave: First century Thyatira was primarily a pagan city,
  • 00:17:07.050 --> 00:17:10.170
  • like so many others in the Roman empire.
  • 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:12.290
  • But the letter to the church here does contain a specific
  • 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:15.130
  • warning about a false self-proclaimed prophetess
  • 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:19.120
  • that John calls Jezebel.
  • 00:17:19.130 --> 00:17:22.120
  • "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: I know your
  • 00:17:23.140 --> 00:17:27.220
  • deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance,
  • 00:17:27.230 --> 00:17:32.160
  • and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
  • 00:17:32.170 --> 00:17:36.030
  • Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate
  • 00:17:36.040 --> 00:17:39.070
  • that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet.
  • 00:17:39.080 --> 00:17:43.120
  • By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality
  • 00:17:43.130 --> 00:17:48.040
  • and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.
  • 00:17:48.050 --> 00:17:51.170
  • I have given her time to repent of her immorality,
  • 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:55.010
  • but she is unwilling," Revelation 2:18 through 25.
  • 00:17:55.020 --> 00:18:01.020
  • It's likely that Jezebel was an allusion to the evil Phoenician
  • 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:07.250
  • queen of ancient Israel who was associated with harlotry
  • 00:18:07.260 --> 00:18:12.040
  • and witchcraft and served as a warning against the pagan
  • 00:18:12.050 --> 00:18:16.050
  • 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