Footsteps of Paul- Sardis, Turkey

 

The Gymnasium Complex-Sardis, Turkey

Sardis or Sardes was an ancient city

 in the province of Lydia in later Roman and Byzantine time.

It was important because of its military strength, 

the location on an important road, 

and agricultural productivity. 

The city was in the middle of the Hermus valley

 at the foot of Mount Timolus.

Today it is located at the village of Sart,

 about 45 miles from Izmir. 

It is included in a Footsteps of Paul

tour as one of the 7 Churches of the Revelation.

The church here was addressed by Jesus

 as given to John of Patmos, 

author of the book of Revelation. 

It seems that the church members did not finish

 what they started, and they were concerned

 about image and not substance.

John and Connie Denninger 

in front of the Gymnasium Complex.

It is an amazing structure.

The 2 story colonnaded space known 

as the Marble Court was originally separate from the baths.

 It is thought to have been completed

 in the late 2nd or early 3rd century AD.

It had many additions and changes before falling 

into ruin in the 7th century AD

This was part of the excavations and restorations 

between 1964 and 1973.

The Synagogue in Sardis is the largest known synagogue

 in the ancient world.  Sardis had many rulers and became part

 of the Roman Empire in 133 BCE. 

The Romans helped to rebuild the city after 

the gigantic earthquake of AD 17.

The Jewish community probably grew here

 in the 3rd century BCE. 

Many Jews settled here including those from Babylon.

Beautiful mosaics fill the synagogue.

The size of this place gives importance to the 

Jewish community even in a time of the rise of Christianity.

Today there are no Jews in Sardis.

The Temple of Artemis- Sardis.

It is the 4th largest Artemis Temple in the world

 and constructed during the Persian Era-(547-334 BCE)

A new temple was started in the third century 

but never completed.

A small church was built on part 

of the site in the 5th century.

The church declined after the 7th century 

and many of the stones were used for other construction.

The message to the people of the Sardis:

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.

“Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”’” (Revelation 3:1-6).

A visit to Sardis sends us out with a renewed look

 at the message to this church 

and what it means for the church today.

Jesus reminds them (and us) that they need

 to guard the spiritual vitality of the church.

They need to wake up,

strengthen what remains, 

remember, obey and repent.

That is a full agenda action plan.