Joppa

Joppa

Israel has about 125 miles of coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. However, ancient Israel did not view this stretch of land in the same way the modern beach-goer does. Back then, the Mediterranean Sea meant chaos, rocky shores, and angry waves. It was a place where rumors of scary weather events came to life, and a place from which an enemy might attack. It’s no wonder that in Revelation 21, as John introduces us to the new heavens and new earth, the first example he uses to describe this magnificent future isn’t an end to the persecuting and oppressive Roman government of the day, a vanishing of sickness and disease, or even the abolishment of death. Instead, he makes this astounding statement: “And there was no more sea.”

Patmos: John’s Exile

Patmos: John’s Exile

Because of the emperor’s decree, Christians in Ephesus faced a life-or-death decision: remain faithful to God or worship the emperor at his temple. Because many Christians would not bow down to the emperor, the apostle John, being the Bishop of Ephesus at this time, received the most blame. Accusing John of political defiance and subversiveness, Domitian punished him with banishment to the island of Patmos in 95 A.D. 

Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13-20)

Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13-20)

 

Sometimes the location of an event in the Bible is as important as the occurrence itself. There is no more outstanding example of this than the city of Caesarea Philippi, considered the Roman empire's epicenter for worshipping pagan gods. Here, the scene is set for Peter’s great confession of who Christ is. Jesus and his disciples had just traveled 30 miles north, a two-day journey from the Sea of Galilee to Caesarea Philippi. Jesus led them here for an important reason. Before heading south on the final trip to Jerusalem, Jesus had one last test for the disciples.

Joanna: A Life of Service

Joanna: A Life of Service

Who is your favorite female character in the Bible? How many of you would choose someone who was only mentioned a couple of times in the Bible by name, but who dedicated her time to serving her Lord? Let's meet Joanna, one such woman who offers a great example of a life of service.

Caesarea Maritima: A Harbor for God’s Purpose

Caesarea Maritima: A Harbor for God’s Purpose

This city is quite the man-made accomplishment, especially considering that the town didn’t even exist in the Old Testament. Herod built this city to celebrate humanism: the glory of Caesar Augustus, the Roman Empire, and Herod's own worldly achievements. Herod established this city to celebrate man forever and built the harbor to show he could “conquer nature” himself. Caesarea Maritima certainly boasted all the worldly pleasures man could ever hope for. But God had other plans. 

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

You might think of the creeds of Nicea and Constantinople as your personal connection to Cappadocia...our spiritual bond to this place is vital. Next time you or your minister reads from the Nicene Creed, think of Cappadocia and the three church fathers from there that God sent at just the right time in church history to defend those truths we hold so dear.