Apostle Paul’s Missionary Journey to Turkey and the Seven Churches of Revelation
DAY 1
Welcome to Turkey! Arrive in Istanbul by late afternoon and board our bus to the hotel. After checking-in and a brief time of rest, we’ll end our long travel
day with a delicious meal and a good night of sleep.
DAY 2
The prospect of exciting and exotic places to visit gives us new energy. Our first day in the historic city of Istanbul begins at the Hagia Sophia (the church of
“Holy Wisdom”)—the crowning achievement of the sacred building program of Emperor Justinian, the 6th-century head of the Christian Byzantine Empire.
This vast light-filled space, surmounted by a great dome rimmed with windows, remains one of the most impressive sacred
edifices ever built by humans to the glory of God. We also visit the Blue Mosque, which was built during the years 1609-1616 and was intended to
compete with the impressive beauty of the Hagia Sophia. Inside, the famous blue-and-white tile work is bathed in light from 260 windows. Near the Hagia
Sophia and the Blue Mosque is the Hippodrome, which once stood in the heart of the Byzantine city of Constantinople and originally held up to 100,000
people. Although little is left of this gigantic stadium, there are a number of impressive columns and other structures at the site. Then head underground
to the Basilica Cistern, a vast water cistern underneath the city. The cistern’s roof is held up by 336 columns that are over 26 feet high. Visitors tread
walkways to the mixed sounds of classical music and dripping water, making this perhaps the most unusual tourist attraction in Istanbul. Our final stop of
the day is the Grand Bazaar. Nothing can quite prepare you for the labyrinth of streets covered by painted vaults and lined with thousands of booth like
shops whose owners relentlessly pursue you in their quest to make a sale. Tonight we begin our evening study sessions on “Paul: His Life and His Letters.”
DAY 3
Our second day begins with a visit to the Archeological Museum, housing spectacular finds from all over Turkey. Afterwards, we visit the Church of St.
Savior in Chora. Built in the 11 th century and decorated in the 14th, this church houses one of the best-preserved collections of Byzantine mosaics and
frescoes anywhere. Next proceed to Topkapi Palace. This elaborate complex of buildings and gardens, originating in the 15th century and greatly expanded
over the following centuries, is now a museum that houses important artifacts and treasures relating to Turkish life and history during the Ottoman
Empire. Then enjoy a beautiful cruise on the Bosphorus Sea, a relaxing and excellent vantage to view Istanbul’s many famous landmarks that dot both its
European and Asian shores. Return to our hotel for an evening worship service and dinner.
DAY 4
We get up early to catch our morning flight to Kayseri. Once there, take a short drive to the unforgettable sights of Cappadocia. This remarkable region is
where the erosion of soft volcanic stone has created bizarre yet beautiful geological formations—rock cones, capped pinnacles, stark ravines, and steep
precipices. The Göreme Valley, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains 30 or more churches built by carving rooms out of the soft volcanic tufa.
These churches date from the 9th century onwards and feature superb Byzantine frescoes of biblical and early Christian scenes. Also visit the underground
city of Kaymalki, one of around 40 underground cities whose use dates back to the 5th century BC. It was extensively occupied by Christians during the
Byzantine period. We reluctantly leave the magical region of Cappadocia for the three-hour drive to Konya, ending the day with another study session.
DAY 5
Konya, known in the ancient world as Iconium, was a key place Paul ministered not only on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:1-7), but almost certainly
on his second and third missionary journeys as well (Acts 16:6; 18:23). We stop briefly at Alaadin Tepesis, the current location of one of the oldest and
most important mosques in the city, but more importantly at the acropolis of ancient Iconium. The mosque’s columns date back to Roman times and
connect us to the ministry of Paul in this city. Nearby is the ancient city of Lystra, which we will not visit since little is left of its former glory. Yet it is
another important site in Paul’s life since the Apostle ministered here too on each of his three missionary journeys (Acts 14:5-20; Acts 16:6; 18:23). It was
also the hometown of his closest helper, Timothy. Next, travel to an even more important city in Paul’s first missionary journey: Antioch of Pisidia (not to
be confused with Antioch on the Orontes). Archaeological excavations here have uncovered the remains of a thriving city complete with theater, imperial
temple, stadium, baths, nymphaeum, paved streets and aqueduct. This Antioch likely included Christians to whom Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians.
We’ll visit the ruins of the ancient city and its museum in Yalvac, which contains the important Sergius Paulus inscription. On the road to Antioch, make a
brief stop at the Hittite site of Eflatun Pinar. Then enjoy the scenic drive south over the Taurus Mountains to Antalya, a popular resort on the edge of the
Mediterranean Sea.
DAY 6
Located some 10 miles east of Antalya is the ancient city of Perge, where Paul landed after sailing from the island of Cyprus during his first missionary
journey (Acts 14:13-14). That Perge was then a wealthy city and is still seen today with its 15,000-seat theater, 12,000-seat stadium, Hellenistic gate with
its “Twin Towers,” baths with hypocaust (underfloor heating), colonnaded marketplace, nymphaeums (water fountains) and impressive colonnaded street
with a flowing water channel to help cool the air. A little further east is Aspendos, impressive for its magnificent aqueduct and its 20,000-seat theater—the
best-preserved theater in all of Turkey. We then return to Antalya, which in Paul’s day was known as Atallia and was the place from where the Apostle
sailed home at the end of his first missionary journey (Acts 14:25-26). In the heart of the old town we will visit the St. Paul Cultural Center, a “coffee shop”
run by Christians that, more importantly, also serves as home to two churches: one Turkish and the other international. Enjoy a tasty lunch (a modest
donation for the lunch will help support the ministry here). Then hear from a Turkish believer about living as a Christian in a country where 99.9% of its
citizens are Muslims. Afterwards, weather permitting, follow Paul’s itinerary exactly by taking a boat excursion out of the ancient harbor. This two-hour
boat ride follows the Mediterranean coastline east, passing an impressive waterfall before returning to the harbor.
DAY 7
This morning we enjoy the scenic drive north over the Taurus Mountains to the Lycus Valley where three important biblical cities are to be found:
Colossae, Hierapolis, and Laodicea. Our first stop in Colossae will be brief since this site has not yet been excavated. Nevertheless, this is an important site
for Christians to visit since Paul sent two letters here: one to the church of Colossae and one to the rich Christian slave owner Philemon, who hosted the
Colossian church in his home. Our second stop is Hierapolis. With its thermal hot springs, well-known in the ancient world for their medicinal qualities, and
its spectacular white travertine terraces, Hierapolis remains as popular with travelers today as it was in biblical times. Equally impressive are the remains
of the ancient city that include the Arch of Domitian, a colonnaded street and marketplace, ancient baths, a 20,000-seat theater built in 200 BC, the largest
ancient graveyard in Anatolia containing over 1,200 tombs, tumuli and sarcophagi, and the Martyrium of St. Philip, a 5th century AD structure on the site
where Philip—either the apostle or the evangelist (Acts 6:1-7; 21:8-9; Acts of Philip)—was believed to have been killed in 80 AD. Overnight in one of the
modern resorts of Pamukkale, whose thermal baths are sure to revive your tired body!
DAY 8
Start the day by visiting the third of the three key biblical cities in the Lycus Valley: Laodicea. Although excavation work is still in its early stages, Laodicea
was a major city in Roman times, as is clear from the size of the ancient site and its two theaters, stadium, aqueduct and major street lined with shops. It is
the last of the seven churches to whom John directed the book of Revelation (Rev. 3:14-22). It had a close relationship with the nearby churches of
Colossae and Hierapolis (Col. 4:13-15) and was the recipient of one of Paul’s now lost letters (Col. 4:16). Our next stop is the ancient city of Philadelphia,
where much has been destroyed or lies buried under the modern city in an earthquake prone area. John wrote to the church here (Rev. 3:7-13),
commending them for their patient endurance in spite of persecution and promising them they would be “a pillar in the temple of my God.” Our third stop
is Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6). Here we see the remains of the magnificent temple of Artemis, the beautifully reconstructed gymnasium and public baths, the largest
known synagogue outside Palestine and Byzantine era shops, which testify to the presence of a significant Christian community. End the day in the port
city of Izmir, known in the ancient world as Smyrna and now the third largest city in Turkey. After our study session and dinner, the evening will be free to
walk the beautiful promenade that follows the shoreline of this harbor town.
DAY 9
Begin the day by driving up to Mt. Pagus (now called Kadifekale or “Velvet Castle”), the acropolis of ancient Smyrna that provides a great view of the
modern city of Izmir and its harbor. Here we think about John’s word of commendation for the Christians in Smyrna who were persevering in the faith
despite persecution (Rev. 2:8-11). We also think about the martyrdom of Polycarp, the disciple of John and later bishop of this city, who in 155 AD was
burned alive at age 86 for refusing to deny Christ. Then travel north to Pergamum, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in all of Turkey. Its
attractions are hard to surpass: a 10,000-seat theater that is the steepest in the ancient world, the magnificently restored temple of Trajan, a library of
200,000 volumes second in size only to that in Alexandria, the base of the Alter of Zeus (now removed and reassembled in the Pergamum Museum in
Berlin), the temple of Dionysus and the medical center of Asclepius with its own theater, library, underground tunnel and other buildings. John warned the
church here that they were living in a place of “Satan’s throne” (Rev. 2:12-17). If time permits, stop briefly in the ancient city of Thyatira. Due to the
presence of the modern city of Akhisar, few archaeological remains have thus far been uncovered. John warned the church here about its toleration of a
woman symbolically called Jezebel who was leading believers astray, causing them “to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols” (Rev.
2:18-29). Return to our hotel in Izmir for dinner and a study session on the “Seven Letters” of Revelation 2-3.
DAY 10
Today will likely be the high note of the tour as we visit the most impressive biblical site of our trip: Ephesus. This was one of the most beautiful cities of
the ancient world and its former glory can be easily appreciated today from its well-preserved streets, temples, fountains, public baths, terraced houses
and theaters. Ephesus was also the site of the Artemis temple—one of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Here is the same theater where some 24,000
citizens of Ephesus gathered shouting “Great is Artemis!” in a riot started in response to Paul’s ministry there. The Apostle visited this city only briefly
during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:18-21), but returned during his third missionary journey for a much longer period of two years and three
months (Acts 19:1-20:1). Timothy later served as pastor in this city during which time Paul wrote him two letters (1 & 2 Timothy). Ephesus served as the
home base for the Apostle John’s ministry from where he wrote a number of letters (1, 2, 3 John) and to which he sent the Book of Revelation. In addition
to the ancient city, also visit the “slope houses” (the wealthiest homes in Ephesus that have been marvelously reconstructed), the Ephesus Museum that
houses many impressive items from this site, and the Basilica of St. John. Spend the night in the nearby port city of Kusadasi.
DAY 11
A short drive brings us to Miletus. Due to its four harbors and strategic location on the Aegean coast of Asia Minor, it was one of the great cities of
commerce in the ancient world. Of the surviving buildings, the finest is the 15,000-seat theater originally built in the Hellenistic period and expanded in
Roman times. Other buildings include the bouleuterion (council chamber), built during the reign of the infamous Antiochus IV (175-164 BC),
the Sacred Road leading to the Apollo Temple in nearby Didyma, the gymnasium, and well-preserved Baths of Faustina that date back to AD 43. Paul
stopped in Miletus on the return leg of his third missionary journey, where he summoned the elders from Ephesus to meet with him and hear his lengthy
and poignant farewell speech (Acts 20:17-35). Some ten miles away, connected by the Sacred Road, was Didyma, not a city but a religious site devoted to
Apollo. The impressive temple built in his honor here consisted of 122 columns six feet in diameter and reached some six stories high. Although only three
full columns have survived, the remaining stunted columns demonstrate why this shrine was a notable rival to the famous temple of Apollo at Delphi with
its renowned oracle. Nearby Priene is distinctive not only due to its cliffside location but also because its streets that were laid out in regular grids
according to the Hippodamian model of city planning, unlike the sprawling, accidental arrangement of most ancient cities. Those who climb up to Priene
are rewarded with several impressive buildings including the temple of Athena, built in the 4th century BC and considered one of the great achievements
of Ionian architecture. The work was supervised and funded by Alexander the Great who resided here during the lengthy siege of Miletus. The theater,
though not so large, is quite impressive, as is the large council chamber. In the late afternoon, drive to the nearby airport of Izmir for a brief evening flight
to Istanbul. A farewell dinner at a restaurant and final study session are planned, giving us time to repack and rest before our long trip home tomorrow.
DAY 12
Transfer to Atatürk Airport. We are confident that Paul’s Missionary Journeys in Turkey and the Seven Churches of Revelation has been instructive,
inspirational, and memorable!
