Seven Churches of Revelation Bible Study Experience: April 2027
- Travel Planners 4 U
- May 31, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 2
Join your hosts, Dwayne and Jackie Lee, for an unforgettable 10-Day Seven Churches of Revelation Bible Study Experience.
We will begin our journey in Turkey as we visit the sites of the first-century congregations of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. We will open our Bibles at each site and study the letters addressed to these churches in Revelation chapters 2-3.
We will learn of each city's history and enjoy the rich archaeology as we view ancient ruins and spectacular excavations.
We will fly from Izmir to Athens where we will visit ancient Corinth and see the amazing Corinth Canal. We will continue our journey with a tour of Athens where we will visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. Finally, we will view Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation.
AT A GLANCE
STATUS
Registration is open. CLICK HERE to jump to the registration section.
DATES
Departing: April 1, 2027
Returning: April 10, 2027
PRICING (per person)
Trip cost is based on double room occupancy (two people in one room)
Currently priced as LAND ONLY*
(NO international air) at $3,600
* This price will be updated to include
domestic flights (Izmir to Athens) and roundtrip international air when price quotes become available.
A single room is available at a supplemental cost of $800
Your trip must be paid in full NO LATER THAN Saturday, January 16, 2027.
Each traveler must have:
Current US Passport valid until at least six months AFTER the return date;
Travel insurance
Your tour includes:
First-class and deluxe hotels;
Land transportation via a deluxe air-conditioned motor coach;
Professional tour guide and driver;
Entrance fees to all activities listed on the itinerary;
Breakfast and dinner daily at hotels (lunch is purchased on own unless otherwise noted);
Luggage handling at hotels;
Domestic air transportation Izmir to Athens
Your tour does NOT include:
Travel insurance (required);
International flights (to be added once pricing becomes available)
Gratuities for guide and driver (Please give $15-20/day per registrant in cash to your tour host at the beginning of your journey.)
*See Terms and Conditions for details.
ITINERARY
Itinerary is subject to change
Day 1: Thursday, April 1, 2027
Today we depart on our Seven Churches of Revelation Bible Study Experience from Chicago, IL on our flight to Turkey.
Day 2: Friday, April 2, 2027
Upon arrival in Turkey, we will transfer to our hotel in Izmir where we will stay for the next two evenings. We will enjoy a relaxing evening at our hotel facilities. Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and a long time center for Jews and Christians.
Day 3: Saturday, April 3, 2027
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Pergamum. The church of Pergamum
was praised for its forbearance; (Rev. 2:12-17) it was here that the first Christians were executed by Rome. We'll visit Acropolis, pass through the Royal Gates, view the foundations of the Altar of Zeus and visit the ruins of the Library (which once held 200,000 volumes). Next we travel to Thyatira viewing the ancient roadway and period columns. Thyatira was once a busy trading center and famous as a "seller of purple." Afterward we will return to Izmir. In Paul's day, Izmir was known as Smyrna and was another of the Seven Churches (Rev. 2:8-11). Dinner and overnight at our Izmir hotel.
Day 4: Sunday, April 4, 2027
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll see Polycarp's Church and visit the ancient Roman Agora. Then, we travel to Sardis, which John condemned for its facade of strength when, in reality, it was weak (Rev. 3:1-6). Here coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated. We'll visit the Gymnasium and Synagogue. Our next stop is nearby Philadelphia from where we are challenged to "hold fast” and look forward to the coming of the "new Jerusalem" (Rev. 3:7-13). Only the ancient wall and a portion of a Byzantine basilica remain in the modern city of Alasehir. Dinner and overnight at our Pamukkale hotel.
Day 5: Monday, April 5, 2027
After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Hierapolis, meaning "Sacred City." Hierapolis
was an ancient center for pagan cults until it was transformed into a Christian center in the first century. According to tradition, the Apostle Philip lived and was martyred in Hierapolis. It was likely the hot springs of Hierapolis (in contrast to the cold mountain springs near Colossae) that combined to bring application to the "lukewarm" Laodiceans (Rev 3:14-22). This connection between the cities lies behind Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his epistle to the Colossians (Col 4:13). Laodicea contains many acres of ruins to visit including a stadium and remnants of a sophisticated water system. Nearby Colossae is well-known throughout Christian circles as the receiver of Paul's letter to the Colossians. Today, the town has fallen into obscurity and nothing remains. We spend the remainder of the day traveling through the Turkish countryside arriving in the port city of Kusadasi where we spend two nights. Dinner and overnight at our Kusadasi hotel.
Day 6: Tuesday, April 6, 2027
After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to the nearby town of Selcuk for a visit of ancient Ephesus. Ephesus was once a thriving port town of 250,000 people. Today you can still see the spectacular excavations of the major streets in this ancient city. We will view the Library, Agora, Theatre, colorful mosaics in the aristocratic Terrace Houses, and a panoramic outlook of the surrounding ancient port area (including a wealth of church history and cultural insight). Then we continue with a visit to the Basilica Church of St. John, which houses an immersion baptismal and is believed to be the resting place of John. From here we have an excellent overview of the Ephesus harbor, the Mosque of Jesus, and can see the site of the Temple of Artemis, which is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Dinner and overnight at our Kusadasi hotel.
Day 7: Wednesday, April 7, 2027
After breakfast at the hotel, we begin a short drive to see the ruins of Miletus. Due to
its four harbors and strategic location on the Agean coast of Asia Minor, Miletus became one of the great cities of commerce in the ancient world. Of the surviving buildings, the finest is the 15,000 seat theatre originally built in the Hellenistic period and expanded in Roman times. We will also see the Faustina Baths and the remains of the Bouleuterion. We will be able to visit the remains of the agora and the 15th century Ilyas Bey Mosque, nestled in a picturesque flat landscape. Paul stopped in Miletus on the return leg of his third missionary journey where he summoned the elders from Ephesus to meet with him and hear his poignant farewell speech (Acts 20:17-35). Dinner and overnight at our Kusadasi hotel.
Day 8: Thursday, April 8, 2027
After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to the Izmir airport for our flight to Athens. Dinner and overnight at our Athens hotel.
Day 9: Friday, April 9, 2027
After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit ancient Corinth, the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters and is a highlight for the New Testament scholar. Along the way we will stop at the Corinth Canal. We will see the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. During the afternoon, we will tour Athens, the foundation of democracy. We visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. From atop Mars Hill we view the Agora below, the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life. Dinner and overnight will be at our Athens hotel.
Day 10: Saturday, April 10, 2027
After breakfast at the hotel, we set out for the airport for our flight home.
HOW TO REGISTER
STEP 1: COMPLETE REGISTRATION FORM
Register for the trip by completing the Traveler Registration Form and paying the non-refundable registration fee of $300 (plus applicable fees). NOTE: Your paid $300 registration fee is deducted from the total trip cost. For more info, please review our Terms and Conditions.
STEP 2: SUBMIT FINAL PAYMENT
After you complete the Traveler Registration Form and submit your registration fee, full payment for your trip MUST BE RECEIVED by the final payment due date identified above (Saturday, January 16, 2027).
CREDIT CARD and PAY PAL payments can be made using the event link below. NOTE: Your paid $300 registration fee is deducted from the total trip cost and reflected in the ticket price. Credit card payment totals include the credit card company fees and the payment platform service fee is identified separately at checkout.
To avoid fees, see other payment options available on our Payment Options page.
