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Paul’s Missionary Journeys in Turkey 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 New Testament writings at night! Travel by deluxe motorcoach to sites connected with Paul’s First, Second and Third Missionary Journeys (Attalia, Perge, Aspendos, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Colossae, Loadicea, Hierapolis, Aphrodisias, Ephesus, Miletus, Didyma) and the seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea) to whom John wrote the book of Revelation. Added to these magnificent biblical sites is a visit to Cappadocia, 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 Bible 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 Michigan 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 acropolis (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 temple 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 synagogue from the ancient world, and to a new time zone. 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 agora (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), basilica (large • Turkish tour manager to accompany spiritually dying, if not already dead (Rev. public building), and crypto-porticos, 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 Delphi 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 Asia Minor, became one of the great 10,000-seat theatre on the side 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 Hellenistic period 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 Alexandria; 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, temples, 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 (Acts 20:17- 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 (Acts 18:18-21) 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 (Acts 19:1-20:1). 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 Roman Empire 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.