To say that I was a little excited about this new adventure to experience Asia Minor to study the Seven Churches of Revelation in Asia Minor was an understatement. Although I am an experienced international traveler and thrive on Bible Study Tours, I never really considered the option to extend my studies and travel to Asia Minor. I had multiple conversations with my father through the years regarding his desire to experience Paul's missionary journeys but did not pursue this opportunity until now. The impact it had on me in one word...Wow!
The land of modern-day Turkey (Asia Minor) is vast so we spent more time traveling between sites on the bus, which wasn't horrible since we enjoyed all the comforts of a luxury bus. The hotels and cuisine far exceed my expectations. Spectacular!
We visited the sites of the early first-century churches Pergamum, Thyatira, Smyrna, Sardis, Philadelphia, Colossae, Laodicea, and Ephesus. What an amazing experience to sit on the ground, read the letters written to the churches by God in the book of Revelation, and discuss the meaning. When you understand the language of the first-century Jewish culture, the words resonate within your spirit as never before. My mind was opened with clarity. I couldn't take notes fast enough.
Afterward, we boarded a cruise ship in Kusadasi and sailed to Greece. We visited the islands of Crete, Santorini, and Patmos (where the apostle John was exiled and given the vision to write the Book of Revelation) before arriving in Athens where we disembarked and spent the remainder of our journey. We explored Corinth and the Acropolis in Athens. The Parthenon and Erectheum were breathtaking. From the top of Mars Hill, we viewed the Agora below, the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life. The sites throughout Athens were stunning and the culture we experienced as we walked the streets was enlightening.
This Seven Churches of Revelation trip was truly one to remember. One I hope to experience again in the future. I hope you do too.
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