What's Going On? BEMA Turkey 3

Pictures of Asklepios

Pictures of the Acropolis - Pergamum

Today we visited Pergamum and saw contextual connections for most of the details in the letter to this city found in Revelation 2.  It is an eye-opener to see things that show that for John’s original audience, there was little mystery to what he was referring to even if we often find Revelation baffling. Again, more details on that in future teaching and preaching. 

The other aspect of this trip is the community that happens as you walk, ride, listen and sweat together. Over meals there are many interesting conversations in a group from all over North America and a variety of Christian backgrounds. Being the only Christian Reformed people and part of a minority of church employees allows us the luxury of being able to identify ourselves by word and action and being able to inquire of and watch others to the same end.  There are, unsurprisingly, only BEMA enthusiasts on this trip so there is little pushback on the teaching. However, there is much discussion around the greater issue of who we are and how we live out a life following Jesus. It is a gift to hear that from a variety of perspectives and experiences. 

ES