After Ephesus, we toured the isle Patmos, where the Apostle John received the Book of Revelation. We entered the cave where he likely saw his visions.
After Ephesus, we sailed to the island of Patmos, where the Apostle John received the Book of Revelation. We entered the cave where it is believed he saw his visions.
What a Journey, Pt. 5
"I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
(Revelation 1:9)
After Ephesus, we toured a Turkish rug shop where we were shown how these beautiful rugs are made. The owner of the shop gave me a rug to take back to our church. Ashley found two smaller rugs she liked, so we purchased them. They will be shipped to our home in a few weeks.
Here is a picture of our granddaughter Bella sitting on some of the rugs:
After Ephesus, we sailed to the island of Patmos, where the Apostle John received the Book of Revelation. We entered the cave where it is believed that John saw his visions of Christ and the unfolding of the end of the world. Thousands of people make the pilgrimage every year to see The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos.
Here are three photos I took while we were on the island of Patmos. The first one is a picture of the numerous people making their way to see the cave. The next photo is one I took of the interior courtyard of the monastery. The last photo is of my family at the monastery.
John was exiled to the island of Patmos toward the end of the first century for his commitment to Christ. He was an elderly man and suffered along with the others exiled to the rock quarry island. But John, during a difficult time in his life, was used by God to receive the amazing book of Revelation. John was released after 18 months, and many believe he went back to Ephesus where he had served as pastor.
I have preached twice through the Book of Revelation. It was one of the hardest things I have done as a pastor but also one of the most rewarding. While preaching through the Apocalypse, I was told by a very prominent pastor that I should not preach the Book of Revelation, for if I did, it would kill my church. I disagreed with him then and disagree with him now. God blessed both churches when I preached through Revelation, just as He promised that He would bless those who hear and obey it (see Revelation 1:3 and 22:7).
I will wrap up this week's devotions even though I have yet to cover the other places we visited while on this journey. I hope this week's devotions have encouraged and inspired you. These biblical sites are still visited today by people from all over the world. They want to see firsthand the cities and places that followers of Jesus like Paul and John visited. I can testify after having visited twice that your faith will indeed be strengthened should you make the journey and see where our heroes of the faith lived and served.
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Pastor Danny welcomes to the show Dr. Jennifer Wakefield, biblical counselor and head of the women's ministry at Great Hills Baptist Church, to discuss the issues of same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria and how Christians can effectively minister to people struggling with these issues, especially how parents can help their children if they are in the midst of these struggles.
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