REDEEMER LUTHERAN COLLEGE

Revelation
Year 11 Christian Studies
Winston Boon

Logical/MathematicalMap of Turkey: Location of the Seven Churches

3 2 1

4 5 6 7

NORTH
1. EphesusBackground: Ephesus was a major port city on the western coast of Asia Minor (now named Turkey). Ephesus is located 40 miles (64.37 km) south of Izmir on the west coast of central Turkey and 60 miles (96.56 km) from the Island of Patmos. By the late first century A.D. it was the fourth largest city in the Roman Empire. The Romans made Ephesus an administrative centre for the province of Asia. Being the major harbour of Asia Minor and having 3 main trade route roads made it the market gateway to Asia. The silt from the Cayster River literally filled up the harbour which was about 6 miles (9.66 km) from the Aegean Sea but throughout Pauls time, the city appreciated the shipping opportunity. Religion: Artemis was the principle goddess of Ephesus. She and her brother Apollo were said to be the children of Zeus and Leto. Artemis is frequently described as a virgin huntress, courageous in opposing her enemies. At Ephesus, she appears to have been the mother goddess, a provider of fertility, and supervisor of childbirth. Message: I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil, said the Lord, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember, therefore and repent, and do the first works Revelation 2:1-7

Route to the next destination: Smyrna As Smyrna is close to Izmir (when referring to the graph above), the approximate distance from Ephesus to Smyrna is 40 miles (64.37 km). As a 1 km walk takes approximately 10-20 minutes= 10 minutes x 64.37 km = 643.7 minutes = 644 minutes = 10 hours 44 minutes During the early 1st century A.D. donkeys were the most common modes of transport, I would have probably used a donkey to carry the letter of John to the Church of Smyrna. As it takes about 12 minutes for a donkey to complete 1 mile, the donkey would take about 8 hours to travel 40 miles (64.37 km). As this is under 10 hours, the donkey would be the most reliable mode of transport. Followers of the Lord may have possibly been involved in the journey or it may possibly be a solo journey. 2. SmyrnaBackground: Smyrna was also a port city in Turkey, what used to be Asia Minor. Smyrna was in competition with Ephesus and Pergamum for the honour of being named the top city of Asia. The bay up the sides of the surrounding hills stood the streets and buildings of Smyrna. Smyrna is claimed to be the hometown and birthplace of a poet by the name of Homer and built a shine in his respect and honour. Smyrna attracted public speakers like Apollonius of Tyanna in the first century and other well-known rhetors (public speakers) in the second century. Religion: Cybele, the Great Mother Goddess of Smyrna, had a temple located on the eastern side of the city. Regarded as the divine being that was especially responsible for the well-being of the city, she was often pictured on Smyrnas coins. Some benefits that she would have provided were protection, fertility, and health. Message: I know thy tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich), said the Lord. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer be thou faithful unto death Revelation 2:8-11 Route to next destination: Pergamum The city of Pergamum is located about 55 miles (88.51 km) directly north of Smyrna. As a 1 km walk takes approximately 10-20 minutes: = 10 minutes x 88.51 km = 885.1 minutes = 885 minutes = 14 hours 45 minutes (lets say 15 hours) During the early 1st century A.D. horses were also a mode of transport. As a horse can travel up to 30 (some 40) miles [64.37 km] per hour, we can think without calculating that the horse can make it to

Pergamum with Johns letter in a matter of hours. Followers of the Lord may have possibly been involved in the journey or it may possibly be a solo journey. 3. PergamumBackground: Pergamum was a major city in western Asia Minor during the New Testament times. It is 16 miles from the Aegean Sea and it lies in a spacious valley now named Turkey. Pergamum was a well-known cultural and political centre as it had the impressive temples, libraries, and medical facilities. The Romans used Pergamum as an administrative centre for the Asian province for of its location and importance; this was because by the time Revelation was written, Pergamum had become part of the Roman Empire. Religion: Athena was the patron goddess of Pergamum. Athena was considered the protector of the city as she was strong and chaste. A reflection of her strength is shown as a statue of Athena is stood in the north hall of the sanctuary to Athena that beautified the acropolis at Pergamum. She had a close connection with culture, wisdom, crafts, and learning of all sorts as her sanctuary is stood next to the renowned Pergamum library. Message: holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, said the Lord. But the branch had members who it is believed felt that they were above moral law and felt that if one had sufficient faith, sin was not sin the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate, said the Lord. Revelation 2:12-16 Route to the next destination: Thyatira The city of Thyatira is located 37 miles (59.55 km) from Pergamum. As a 1 km walk takes approximately 10-20 minutes: = 10 minutes x 59.55 km = 595.5 minutes = 596 minutes = 9 hours 56 minutes (lets say 10 hours) During the early 1st century A.D. horses were also a mode of transport. As a horse can travel up to 30 (some 40) miles [64.37 km] per hour, we can straight away come to a conclusion that by using a horse, we can make it to Thyatira in less than an hours time. 4. ThyatiraBackground: Thyatira is situated in an abundant valley which trade routes passed. During the ages 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. Thyatira was rebuilt with the help of the Romans as the valley was damaged by an earthquake.

Religion: Apollo Tyrimnaeus was the principle deity of Thyatira and was acknowledged as the ancient Lydian sun-god. Of lesser importance was the goddess identified with Artemis, the sister of Apollo, Boreitene. Route to next destination: Sardis The city of Sardis is located 30 miles (48.28 km) north [according to the map] of Thyatira. As a 1 km walk takes approximately 10-20 minutes: = 10 minutes x 48.28 km = 482.8 minutes = 483 minutes = 8 hours 3 minutes (lets say 8 hours) During the early 1st century A.D. horses were also a mode of transport. As a horse can travel up to 30 (some 40) miles [64.37 km] per hour, we can straight away come to a conclusion that by using a horse, we can make it to Thyatira in less than an hours time. Followers of the Lord may have possibly been involved in the journey or it may possibly be a solo journey. 5. SardisBackground: In the 7th century B.C. Sardis was the capital of the kingdom of Lydia and one of the legendary cities of Asia Minor (Turkey). In the 6th century, the Persians captured Sardis and created an administrative centre for the western part of their empire. The renowned royal road joined Sardis with the Persian cities to the east. Sardis was part of the Roman province of Asia in the New Testament times. Religion: The principal goddess Artemis was worshipped at Sardis, as wells as other countries like Ephesus, etc. Artemis and her brother Apollo as said before were supposed to be the children of Zeus and Leto. Route to next destination: Philadelphia The city of Philadelphia is located 28 miles (45.06 km) north-west [according to map] of Thyatira. As a 1 km walk takes approximately 10-20 minutes: = 10 minutes x 45.06 km = 450.6 minutes = 451 minutes = 7 hours 31 minutes During the early 1st century A.D. horses were also a mode of transport. As a horse can travel up to 30 (some 40) miles [64.37 km] per hour, we can straight away come to a conclusion that by using a horse, we can make it to Philadelphia in less than an hours time. This will ensure that the letter of John will be delivered to the church of Philadelphia in time. Followers of the Lord may have possibly been involved in the journey or it may possibly be a solo journey.

6. PhiladelphiaBackground: Located in west central Turkey, Philadelphia lies in a valley at the foot of a steep plateau. The town was founded along an important travel route that linked Pergamum to the north-west (when referring to the map) with Laodicea to the north (when referring to the map). As the town suffered from an earthquake in A.D. 17, and for a period of time citizens lived in fear of the aftershocks. Philadelphia was reconstructed with the help of Emperor Tiberius. Religion: An engraving from Philadelphia talks about a number of gods and goddesses. Zeus, the chief god, was said to have directed people to be of purity and to refrain from deceit

7. Laodicea-