Paul’s Missionary Journeys in and the Seven Churches of Revelation

May 23 – June 4, 2022

Led by Dr. Jeffrey A. D. Weima  Walk in the footsteps of Paul and John during the day and study their writings at night! Travel by deluxe motorcoach to sites connected with Paul’s First, Second and Third Missionary Journeys (Attalia, Perge, , Pisidian , Iconium, , , Loadicea, , , , , ) and the seven churches (Ephesus, , Pergamum, , , , Laodicea) to whom John wrote the book of Revelation. Added to these magnificent biblical sites is a visit to , to enjoy its stunning landscape and ancient rock-cut churches.

Most evenings feature a study session either on “Paul: His Life and His Letters” or “The Sermons to the Seven Churches of Revelation” (Rev. 2-3).

Join host Jeff Weima, Professor of New Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary and leading biblical scholar, for this truly inspirational tour.

Led by Dr. Jeffrey A. D. Weima Tour Cost Dr. Jeffrey Weima is Professor of New $ Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary, 4,699 per person from Chicago where he has taught for the past 29 years. Based on double occupancy He is a sought-after speaker who is able to Other departure cities available upon request. communicate well the truths of the in an interesting, contemporary, and practical manner. Jeff is the author of numerous Register online at scholarly articles, academic essays, and book reviews. He has published six books, bookings.wittetravel.com including a recently completed commentary on the seven letters to the churches of use booking code 052322WEIM Revelation. Jeff is an active member of several academic societies or complete and return the printed registration form. and he lectures and teaches courses around the world, leads biblical study tours, conducts intensive preaching seminars for pastors, and preaches widely in churches in both the USA and Roundtrip airport transfers from West to Canada. Jeff and his wife, Bernice, have been married for 38 years. Chicago O’Hare by van or motorcoach at an additional They have four children and eight very cute grandchildren. This will cost of $100-$160 per person, provided there is sufficient be Dr. Weima’s 32nd time leading a biblical study tour. interest. (616) 328-3110 | [email protected] | www.jeffreyweima.com 

MONDAY, MAY 23 TUESDAY, MAY 24 thereby giving us a glimpse of Smyrna’s Departure Arrive Izmir glorious past. We hear and reflect on Our inspirational tour begins! Before it After changing planes in Europe, we will the meaning of Christ’s commendatory is possible to follow in the steps of Paul arrive in the evening in Izmir (ancient sermon to the Christians in Smyrna who and John, we must first travel toT urkey. Smyrna), which is now the third largest were persevering in the faith despite We will meet at the Chicago O’Hare city in Turkey. The prospect of exciting persecution (Rev. 2:8-11). We drive up International Airport to check in for our and exotic places to visit gives our tired to Mt. Pagus (now called Kadifekale or non-stop, transatlantic flight toT urkey. body new energy. We board our waiting “Velvet Castle”), which is the (D-in flight) bus and transfer to the hotel for a night of ancient Smyrna. From here, we have of well-deserved rest. Tomorrow the a great view of the modern city of Izmir adventure finally begins! (Meals-in flight) and its harbor. We then drive inland a little over one hour to the ancient city WEDNESDAY, MAY 25 of Sardis. Here we see the remains of Inclusions: Smyrna (Izmir), Sardis, Izmir the magnificent of Artemis, the beautifully reconstructed gymnasium • Air transportation from Chicago to Our first day involves a modest itinerary and public baths, the largest known Izmir and Nevsehir back to Chicago. as we recover from jet-lag and adjust from the ancient world, and to a new . We begin by • Land transportation via deluxe, air- Byzantine era shops which testify to visiting an ancient site located very conditioned motorcoach. the presence of a significant Christian near our hotel in the heart of Izmir, community. In this unique setting, we • Accommodations in first-class to or what remains of ancient Smyrna. superior first-class hotels. get a better appreciation of Christ’s Here we see the ancient (open warning sermon to Christians in Sardis • Breakfast and dinner daily. commercial area), with its two-storied who are judged by the Lord to be stoas (covered sidewalks), (large • Turkish tour manager to accompany spiritually dying, if not already dead (Rev. public building), and crypto-, all the group. 3:1-6). We return to our hotel in Izmir situated in the heart of this modern city, for our first evening study session to be • Sightseeing and admission fees. followed by dinner. (B, D) • All taxes, including hotel, local government, and estimated airport taxes.

• Use of personal headsets.  Izmir • Extensive study materials.  Sardis Cover: Ephesus  

THURSDAY, MAY 26 FRIDAY, MAY 27 why this shrine was a notable rival to the Pergamum, Izmir Miletus, Didyma, Kusadasi famous temple of Apollo at with We will head north to Pergamum We drive two hours south to Miletus its renowned oracle. We drive one hour today, one of the most impressive which, due to its four harbors and north to overnight in the scenic port city archaeological sites in all of Turkey. strategic location on the Aegean coast of Kusadasi. (B, D) Its attractions are hard to surpass: a of Minor, became one of the great 10,000-seat theatre on the of the cities of commerce in the ancient world. SATURDAY, MAY 28 acropolis, which is the steepest in the Of the surviving buildings, the finest is Ephesus, Kusadasi ancient world; the magnificently restored the 15,000-seat theatre originally built Today may well be the high note of the temple of Trajan; a library of 200,000 in the and expanded tour, as we visit the most impressive volumes second in size only to that in in Roman times. Other buildings include biblical site of our trip: Ephesus. The ; the base of the Altar of Zeus the council chamber built during the former glory of this city can still today (now removed and reassembled in the reign of the infamous Antiochus IV (175- be easily appreciated from its well- Pergamum Museum in Berlin); and the 164 BC), the start of the “Sacred Road” preserved streets, , fountains, temple of Dionysus. At the base of the leading to the majestic Apollo Temple public baths, terraced houses and Acropolis, we visit the “Red Court”—a in nearby Didyma, the gymnasium and theatres. Ephesus was also the site temple to the Egyptian gods who were the well-preserved Baths of Faustina. of the Artemis temple—one of seven increasing in popularity in NT times. Paul stopped in Miletus on the return wonders of the ancient world. There is Finally, we visit the medical center of leg of his Third Missionary Journey the same theatre where some 24,000 the healing god Asclepius with its own where he summoned the elders from citizens of Ephesus gathered shouting theatre, library, underground tunnel, and Ephesus to meet with him and hear his “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” other buildings. Christ both commends poignant farewell speech (:17- in a riot started in response to Paul’s some in the church here for being faithful 35). Some 12 miles away, connected ministry there. The apostle visited despite living in a place of “Satan’s by the Sacred Road, was Didyma, not a this city only briefly during his second throne,” but also warns others in the city but a religious site devoted to the missionary journey (:18-21) but church of how they have compromised god Apollo. The temple here built in his returned during his third missionary their faith and are guilty of idolatry (Rev. honor was most impressive, consisting journey for a much longer period of two 2:12-17). We return to our hotel in Izmir of 122 columns six feet in diameter and years and three months (:1-20:1). for a study session on Christ’s sermon to reaching six stories high. Although only Timothy later served as pastor in this Pergamum and a delicious meal. (B, D) three full columns have survived, the city during which time Paul wrote him remaining stunted columns demonstrate two letters (1 & 2 Timothy). Some years  

later Ephesus served as the home base Perhaps most important of the surviving MONDAY, MAY 30 for the apostle John’s ministry from buildings is the Sebasteion—the building Hierapolis, Laodicea, Pamukkale where he wrote a number of letters (1, devoted to the and its Today we have only a little bit of driving 2, 3 John) and to which he sent the Book emperors. The paralleled porticoes facing and two impressive sites to visit among of Revelation. In addition to the ancient each other and separated by a paved the “Tri-cities” of the Lycus Valley. city, we also visit the “slope houses”— processional way was three stories high The first city is Hierapolis. With its hot the wealthiest homes in Ephesus that and contained some 200 life-sized reliefs thermal springs well-known already have been marvelously reconstructed. that were intended to celebrate Roman in the ancient world for its medicinal We enjoy a complimentary lunch at the power and victory over the world. A qualities as well its spectacular white Carpet Weaving Center Garden as well marvelous exhibit of the more than 80 travertine terraces, Hierapolis remains as an interesting demonstration of how of these reliefs that have survived is on just as popular with travelers today as it Turkish carpets are made. Afterwards, display at the site museum. Although was in biblical times. Equally impressive, we visit the Ephesus Museum, which, this city is not mentioned in the Bible, it however, are the remains of the ancient though small, houses several impressive gives us a very clear window in what life city: the of Domitian; a colonnaded items from this site. We spend another was like in many cities scattered around street and marketplace; ancient baths; a night in the beautiful, seaside port city the ancient Mediterranean world where 20,000-seat theatre; the largest ancient of Kusadasi where our study session Paul, John, and other apostles spread the graveyard in containing over will focus on Christ’s sermon to the good news of the gospel. We then drive 1,200 tombs, tumuli and sarcophagi; and Ephesian church. (B, L, D) further east for a brief visit to Colossae— the Martyrium of St. Philip, a 5th century brief because this site has unfortunately AD structure on the site where the SUNDAY, MAY 29 not yet been excavated. Nevertheless, apostle Philip was killed in AD 80 and Aphrodisias, Colossae, this is an important site for contemporary whose tomb was recently discovered. Pamukkale Christians to visit, since Paul sent Our second city to visit is Laodicea, here two letters: one to the church of We will head east inland and follow which was a major city in Roman times, Colossae and one to the rich Christian the Meander Valley to bring us to the slave-owner Philemon, who hosted the impressive ancient city of Aphrodisias. Colossian church in his home. A short This beautifully preserved Roman drive brings us to one of the modern city includes a 30,000-seat stadium, resorts of Pamukkale. Be sure to bring baths, bouletarion (city hall), 7,000 seat  Pergamum your bathing suit to enjoy the natural theater, two , and the temple of  Didyma thermal baths! The ancient world already Aphrodite, after whom the city is named.  Aphrodisias knew they had healing qualities. (B, D)  Pamukkale  

as is clear from not only the size of TUESDAY, MAY 31 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 the ancient site but also its five agoras Perge, Aspendos, Attalia () Attalia (Antalya) (shopping areas), two theatres, stadium, We drive 3½ hours south to the Our agenda today is deliberately light, , and major street lined with Mediterranean coastline to visit the allowing us to prepare for the final two shops. Laodicea is not only the last (and ancient city of Perge, where Paul, days of our tour that will involve quite a worst!) of the seven churches to whom , and landed bit of driving and long days. We begin Christ addresses a sermon (Rev. 3:14- after sailing from the island of with a morning study session, followed 22), but it also had a close relationship during the first missionary journey by a visit to the Antalya Archaeological with the nearby churches of Colossae (:13-14). That Perge was a Museum, one of Turkey’s largest and and Hierapolis (Col. 4:13-15) and was wealthy city is still easily seen today finest museums. Here we will see the recipient of one of Paul’s now lost from its 15,000-seat theatre, 12,000- many of the impressive finds from not letters (Col. 4:16). We overnight again seat stadium, Hellenistic gate with its just Perge and Aspendos, but other in our resort hotel in Pamukkale, where “Twin Towers,” baths with under-floor nearby ancient cities. In the heart of our study session will focus on Christ’s heating, colonnaded marketplace, water the old town of Antalya, we will have sermon to Laodicea. (B, D) fountains, and beautiful colonnaded lunch at the St. Paul Cultural Center, a street with a flowing water channel “coffee shop” run by Christians that in the middle. A little further east is more importantly also serves as home Aspendos, impressive for both its to two churches: one Turkish and the magnificent aqueduct and its 20,000- other international. Here we plan to visit seat theatre, which is the best preserved with a Turkish pastor who will share in the whole of Turkey. We then drive to what it is like to live as a Christian in a Antalya, which in Paul’s day was known country where 99.9% of its citizens are as Attalia and was the place from where Muslim. We also hope to meet with Dr. the apostle sailed home at the end of his first missionary journey (Acts 14:25). We will spend the next two nights in this coastal city. (B, D) 

Mark Wilson, an American evangelical THURSDAY, JUNE 2 well as its small museum in the nearby NT scholar, who lives full-time in Turkey Pisidian Antioch, Yalvac, village of Yalvac, which contains the and who has written the best guide to Iconium () important inscription and Jewish and Christian sites in Asia Minor. the famous “Res Gestae” inscription Today will be a long but rewarding day. Afterwards, we will walk and shop in the of Caesar —one of only three We begin by enjoying a three-hour quaint restored area of the old harbor, extant copies. We then drive a little scenic drive north over the Taurus also enjoying the view of the very port over two hours east to Konya, known Mountains to a very important city that from which Paul and Barnabas sailed on in the ancient world as Iconium. This Paul and Barnabas visited on the first the return leg of their missionary trip. was a key place where Paul ministered missionary journey: Antioch of Weather permitting, we will follow the not only on his first missionary journey (not to be confused with Antioch on path of these two apostles, taking a boat (Acts 14:1-7), but almost certainly on his the Orontes, from where the apostle ride from the ancient harbor along the second and third missionary journeys as began each of his major missionary coastline to nearby waterfalls and back. well (:6; 18:23). We stop briefly journeys). Archaeological excavations We overnight again in Antalya. (B, L, D) at Alaadin Tepesis—the current location have uncovered the remains of a of one of the oldest in the thriving city, complete with theater, city but more importantly the acropolis imperial temple, stadium, baths, of ancient Iconium. The columns in the water fountains, paved streets, and date back to Roman times and aqueduct. This Antioch is where Acts so connect us to the ministry of Paul records Paul giving a powerful, lengthy in this city. We overnight in a hotel in sermon to local in the synagogue Konya. (B, D) (:14-52). This Antioch included Christians to whom Paul later wrote in his letter to the . We visit both the ruins of the ancient city as

 Hellenistic city gate, Perge Courtesy Dennis Jarvis Wiki Commons  Attalia (Antalya)  Aspendos 

FRIDAY, JUNE 3 underground city of Kaymalki. This is Tour Pace Cappadocia, Nevsehir one of 40 underground cities whose Our morning is spent on the road, driving use dates to the 5th century BC, which about three hours to the remarkable were extensively occupied by Christians region of Cappadocia. This is where during the Byzantine period. We end the the erosion of soft volcanic stone has day with a “de-briefing” session at the created bizarre yet beautiful geological hotel in Nevsehir as we prepare for the vigorous – Daily activities include formations—rock cones, capped long trip home. (B, D) walking distances of one to two miles or more per day over hilly pinnacles, stark ravines, and steep and uneven terrain. It may not be precipices. The Göreme Valley, declared SATURDAY, JUNE 4 possible to see everything if you by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site, Return have difficulties with this. If you have questions or concerns about this, contains 30 or more churches built by Early this morning, we will tranfer to please talk to Dr. Weima ahead of carving rooms out of the soft volcanic the Nevsehir airport to check in for our time. tufa. These churches date from the 9th flights home. Paul’s Missionary Journeys century onwards and feature superb in Turkey and the Seven Churches of Byzantine frescoes of biblical and early Revelation has certainly been instructive, Christian scenes. We will also visit the inspirational, and memorable! (Meals-in flight)  Cappadocia

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