Istanbul , St. Paul's Journeys and Seven Churches

ANATOLIA DURING THE TIME OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Approximately 60% of the names of the places mentioned in the Bible are in Turkey. According to the Old Testament, Noah's children, the animals he saved in the ark began the repopulation of the Earth from Mt. Ararat in the east of Turkey. Abraham's call to greatness came in Harran in southeast of Turkey. This city was called Ur of the Chaldeans. Archaeologists have found that the Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians, Assyrians, Cimmerians, Lydians and other civilizations who were important to the Old Testament once lived in Turkey. King Tiglath - Pileser the third of Assyria conquered both Israel and Urartu. The people of the Bible left records of their activities in Anatolia that span the ages from Noah to St. Paul. Here in Anatolia rise the two rivers that bounded Eden. Lake Hazar south of Elazig in the Taurus mountain range is the source of the Tigris. The Euphrates fed by the snow and rain of the mountains in eastern Turkey. The Seven Churches of the Revelation

Ephesus: Revelation 1:11, 2:1-7; Acts 18, 19-28; 19:1-41 Ephesians

Smyrna (Izmir): Revelation 2:8-11

Pergamon: Revelation 2:12-17

Thyatira: Revelation 2:18-29; Acts16:14

Sardis: Revelation 3:1-6

Philadelphia: Revelation 3:7-13

Laodicea: Revelation 3:14-22; Colossians 2:1,4:13 -16

ANATOLIA DURING THE TIME OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Up until the unification of the major part of Asia Minor under the Roman Empire, its history had been one of a succession of small states. Roman control began in 190 B.C. When the Seleucid ruler Antiochus the Great was defeated at Magnesia, and spread in 133 B.C when the first Roman province of Asia was organized in the region near Ephesus. Bithynia, Pontus and Cilicia came under Roman rule. Shortly before the Christian era, Galata and Cappadocia fell under Roman influence. It was in Antioch; today's Antakya in southern Turkey that the disciples were first called "Christians" ( Acts 11:26 ). The destruction and plunder of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. by the Romans under Titus was followed by a great emigrations, conducive to the spread of Christianity in all directions. The first Christian community came to encompass the Mediterranean area from Syria to Spain. Paul and his writings were very important in the spread of Christianity and the blending of Hebrew and Near Eastern thought. The period of the early development of Christianity was one of peace and stability but after the re - organization of the Roman Empire by the king Diocletian in 297 A.D.,the area was again split into small political units. Christianity provided a common language and religion.

Day 1 : Arrive at Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 : You will visit The Ottoman and Byzantine treasures. You will enjoy the wonders of the Hippodrome Square, The Blue Mosque ( Sultanahmet Mosque), Hagia Sophia Museum, The Royal Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and the historical Grand Bazaar which is famous with Anatolian hadicrafts. Overnight in Istanbul.

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