Seven Churches of Revelation

Day 1 – Departure (Thursday 27 April 2023)

We meet at the “Turkish Air “Counter at O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, at 15H00.  Complete the necessary formalities, greet family and friends and depart for Istanbul at 18H10 with TK 43

Day 2 –Istanbul  (Friday 28 April 2023)
We arrive in Istanbul at 05H00.  Our tour guide will meet us after the customs and baggage claim we are transferred to Hotel for check-in and rest.  Day Tour starts at noon for Old City walking tour. Lunch at a local restaurant.  After lunch we visit Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar

Accommodation: Grand Halic Hotel

Day 3 – Istanbul  (Saturday 29 April 2023)
Full Day Tour in Istanbul – Topkapi Palace, Spice Bazaar, and Taksim Area.  After Lunch we take the Ferry from Besiktas to Kadikoy, and walk around ancient Chalcedon. Back to Hotel to freshen up for Cruise Dinner
Accommodation:- Grand Halic Hotel

Day 4 – Canakkale  (Sunday 30 April 2023)
Drive to Iznik (ancient Nicaea). Two ecumenical councils were held here: the First Ecumenical Council of 325 and the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787. Visit the ruins of the St. Sophia Church where the Seventh Ecumenical Council was held
Accommodation:- Iris Hotel

Day 5 – Assos  (Monday 01 May 2023)

We will continue to visit the legendary city of Troy and see the replica of the wooden horse.  Next we visit Alexandria Troas a wealthy town at the time for the early church a place rich in happenings, a city where Paul had a vision that changed the world for ever. Acts 16:8-11 the call to Macedonia. Paul raised Eutychus from the dead here Acts 20:5-12.  Paul also left his cloak her in 2Timothy 4:13 he asked that it and his parchments be brought to him.  Last stop for the day is Assos The fortifications are well preserved dating from 4^th century BC, the city gates and the Temple to Athena are still imposing set high on a hill as in the day of Paul.  Paul went from Troas to Assos 33.5 km trip on a well paved and safe road that joined the two cities. One of the we find Paul in solitude. This 2-day trip is referred to as Paul’s Gethsemane a time in which Paul was alone with his thoughts of the past and very uncertain future.  Once Paul had joined the others (Acts 20:5-6 13-14) they all sailed on to Mitylene, present day Lesbos, then on to Miletus
Accommodation: Nazlihan Hotel

Day 6 – Izmir (Tuesday 02 May 2023)

After Breakfast we start our Tour of the Seven Churches.  Pergamum  – 1st Church – and one that is referred to in Revelation as the “Throne of Satan”. We will take in the impressive and very steep 10 000-seater theater, the Temple to Trajan which has been partly restored and the remains of a 200 000-book library which was second only to the great library in Alexandria. This place is the home of parchment.

Thyatira  – 2nd Church –  is mentioned in The Book of Revelations 2:18 -29. The site consists of an ancient paved road with ruins of a temple and church, the home city of Lydia the wealthy member of the church Paul’s first convert in Macedonia
Accommodation: Anemon Hotel

Day 7 – Pamukkale (Wednesday 03 May 2023)

Today’s visits include; Smyrna – 3rd Church is a city whose Bishop Polycarp, who was appointed by John, was burned to death in 156 AD saying, “I have served him for 86 years, how can I blaspheme my king who saved me”. John wrote to this city (Rev 2:10) “Be faithful even to the point of death”. He also writes in the Book of Revelations (Rev. 2:8-11) “You will receive a crown”, an idea the church would have identified with because, as Mount Pagos loomed over the city, it was described as a crown.

Sardis – 4th Church is one of the most picturesque sites of the seven churches on the ancient “postal route”.  Surrounded by vineyards in every direction, a small church from the Byzantine period and a Jewish synagogue, partly restored Gymnasium that is truly breath taking. Was the largest in the area at the taking 1000 people it dates back to the 4^th century AD.  Visit the Temple to Airtimes as well as the site of a gold refinery.  The Book of Revelations, refers to these churches as using white robes (Rev.3:1-6). This city was famous for its production of these outer robes at the time John wrote his Revelation. This is the church that is seen as dead yet showing signs of life.

Philadelphia:  – 5th Church – The city was named in honor of the close relationship with King Attalus II of Pergamum and his brother meaning “Brotherly love” (Phileo in Greek). In its day, famous for wine production.   The church says, “I stand at the door and knock” (Rev 3:7-12). This city was at the crossroads, a bit like a turnstile, from where one could travel in any direction. It was known as a missionary church.

Accommodation: Lycus

Day 8 – Selcuk (Thursday 04 May 2023)
Laodicea – 6th Church – is the Church mentioned in The Book of Revelation 3:14-22 as being “neither hot nor cold but lukewarm”. It is also the church were John said, “Jesus stands at its door and knocks. This large site was once a city strung between Christian and Pagan beliefs and so chastised. We will walk down the columned street, theatres, a temple, a  well restored church and a nymphaeum-fountain where the city collected its water.  Hierapolis had many converts, the gospel having come to this spa city via Ephesus (Col: 4:12-13). Here we can also see the tomb of Philip.  A perfect theatre awaits us at the end of a mile walk through ancient graves, great views of the cloud-like Pammukale “cotton castles” made from calcareous deposits.   Spend some time enjoying the spa waters in Hierapolis   Lastly we drive to Colossae  –  There is very little that remains of this ancient city for us to see today a short stop to take in the area and consider the two books Paul addressed to the church here Philemon, Colossians and story of the slave Odesimus. Excavations have not yet begun this site with great views allows for a time to catch up on all the day has brought as you take in the great views from the site
Accommodation: Hitit Hotel

Day 9 – Ephesus  (Friday 05 May 2023)

Today will likely be the high point  number seven the best for last of the tour , as we visit the impressive biblical site of Ephesus – 7th Church;  You will take a walking tour starting in the upper city at the State Agora, then walking downward to the iconic Library of Celsus and Tetragonos Agora. You will make a slight detour to see the exquisite terrace houses where the rich and famous citizens of Ephesus lived.  Your city tour ends at the theater where 24,000 citizens shouted “Great is Artemis!” in a riot started in response to Paul’s ministry there (Acts 19:1–20:1). We will stop briefly to view the remains of the Artemis Temple, formerly one of seven wonders of the ancient world. In the afternoon you will visit the Church of St. John, where tradition holds that the apostle and revelator was buried.  Nearby is the Ephesus Museum housing important artefacts from Ephesus. Transfer to Airport for fligh to Istanbul at 22h00.  Arrive Istanbul 23h20 and stay in transit for our flight back to South Africa

Onboard Flight

Day 10 –(Saturday 06 May 2023)

Depart from Istanbul at 01H35 with TK 42.   Arrive Johannesburg at 10H20.

The new testament will never be the same again.