Third Time’s a Charm

After five years, the time has finally arrived for the Seven Churches of Revelations tour (I will believe it when I actually step foot in Turkey.) On March 3rd, John and I leave for Turkey. This will be attempt number three (#1 cruise canceled the stop, #2 we got Covid). It’s a long flight, actually, several long flights, to arrive in Istanbul on Saturday.

Here’s a short overview of the tour. I will have follow-up blogs with details from each stop and a debriefing when we get to each sight. We will tour Istanbul, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia (see pictured below), and the Istanbul Archaeological Museum on Sunday.

The next day we fly to Antalya and the Greco-Roman City of Perga. From there, we hop on a bus and drive to Laodicea (Col 2:1, 4:13-16, Rev. 1:11; 3:14)– Hierapolis (Col 4:13)– Pamukkale.

Another busy day is ahead touring the ruins of Philadelphia (Rev. 1:11; 3:7) –Sardis (Rev 1:11; 3:1-4) –Smyrna (Rev 1:11; 2:8-11).

Then on to Pergamon (Rev 1:11; 2:12) – Thyatira (Rev 1:11; 2:18) – Izmir

AND FINALLY, Ephesus ( Acts 18:19-24; 19:1-35; 20:16-17; 21:29, 1 Cor. 15:32; 16:8, I Tim. 1:3, II Tim. 1:18; 4:12, Rev. 1:11; 2:1), We will tour the Terrace Houses, Ephesus Archaeological Museum and the Basilica of St. John. (see library façade pictured below by Benh LIEU SONG).

On the return trip, we will take a side excursion to visit our AFS son and his family in The Netherlands. Another quick visit across the channel to the Roman baths in Bath, England, and God willing, we’ll be headed home.