After we meet in Izmir, we will visit Smyrna, “the suffering church” and the (“Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days”), home of great 2nd century Bishop Policarp who was burned alive at the age of 85.
Then we will continue to Pergamum, “the compromising church”; Revelation 2:12-16 describes the city as “where Satan’s seat is”, a reference to the altar of Zeus.
After lunch we will proceed to Thyateira; “the adulterous church” that, as mentioned in the Revelations, tolerated the false prophets, Jezebel (Rev. 1: 11; 2: 18-29). We will stay overnight in a hotel close to Sardes.
