1	Biblical Turkey and the Seven Churches of Revelation Rex Geissler www.greatcommission.com
2	Noteworthy Areas in Turkey & Greek Islands Assos Attalia (Antalya) Bythinia Cappodocia Carchemish Caria Cilicia Cnidus Cos Cyprus Derbe Ephesus Euphrates River Galatia Haran (Harran) Iconium (Konya)
3	Turkey and Bordering Nations
4	Turkey and Biblical Sites
5	Turkey and Biblical Sites
6	Western Turkey Map #2
7	Turkey Huge size vs. Israel small area Texas + Washington size East & West cross – Asian not Arab Chalcolithic, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians, King Midas & Gordions Greeks (Alexander the Great) Romans (Emperor visits) NT Christians, Paul, Timothy, John Armenians 600BC-Today Byzantine Christians 330-1071AD Seljuk Muslims 1071-1243AD Mongols 1243-1300AD Ottoman Sultans 1299-1923AD Ataturk & Secular Turkey Military ultimate auth. not Islam 1923-Present Day
8	Ancient Anatolia (Turkey)
9	Euphrates River - Eden Boundary Ge 2:10-15 Near Carchemish-early documents in Turkey 1850 BC Did flood destroy Eden then rename rivers with old names? “Since the Tigris and Euphrates flow eastward from Turkey and empty into the Persian Gulf, it seems more likely that Eden was in the western of the two suggested locations…Pending further evidence, then, I favor the Turkish location [rather than near the Persian Gulf]. – Douglas Jacoby in The God Who Dared
10	Tigris River at Hasankeyf Eden Boundary
11	Mesopotamian Plain from Mardin
12	Chalcolithic Drawings in Van Museum
13	Genesis (c.1450 BC) States Noah’s Ark Landed “on the mountains of rrt” (Urartu then Ararat)”-Quran “Al Judi” (Five) Thousands of square miles, hundreds of mountains, not just Ararat
14	Urartu Capital Tushpa Castle on Lake Van c. 855 BC
15	Urartu Capital Tushpa Castle on Lake Van
16	Urartian Cuneiform Writing Stones - Van
17	Diyadin Geyser Basin Near Mount Ararat
18	Diyadin Geyser Basin Near Mount Ararat
19	Diyadin Geyser Basin Near Mount Ararat
20	Diyadin Geyser Basin Near Mount Ararat
21	Two of the Largest Mountains In Urartu Big Ararat and Little Ararat - Volcanic
22	Mount Ararat-One of largest single-mass mtns. on Earth 17,000 feet high, 14,500 feet higher than plains below, 17 square mile ice cap, 300 foot ice depth
23	Urartian Fortress Ruins & Kurdish Mosque Next To Mount Ararat
24	Research Looking For Urartian Remains Urartian Cave Above Ishak Paşa
25	Urartu Ruins Ahora Gorge & Old Ahora Village
26	Urartu Ruins Ahora Gorge Chalked Petroglyph
27	Urartu Ruins Jacob’s Well - Old Ahora Destroyed 1840
28	Urartu Ruins Korhan
29	Urartu Ruins Eli Village
30	Urartu Ruins Kazan Area
31	Pretty Waterfalls, Poplar and Birch in Urartu
32	Troy 3000-1250 BC 700-450 BC Many Trojan Wars
33	Turkey Peoples
34	Ur of the Chaldeans? Abraham’s Birthplace Urfa (Edessa)? Urartu? or Mesopotamian Ur?
35	Abraham (Ibrahim) Pool in Urfa Dr. William F. Albright compared Abraham’s Ur to British archaeologist Sir Leonard Wooley’s view, “The earlier journey from Ur of the Chaldees to Haran has apart from the discovery of the city itself, no archaeological foundation.”
36	Harran – Abraham’s Second Home South of Urfa 50 Miles Islamic University Destroyed by Mongols
37	Harran Records go back to 2000 BC Shepherds show well where they say Rebekah drank water and Jacob helped Rachel and Laban water the sheep in Genesis 24 and 29:10 Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius II murdered here AD 217 Second home of Abraham Genesis 11:31-12:5
38	Job’s Tomb near Urfa According to Islamic Tradition or Earlier?
39	Egyptian Obelisk 15th Century BC From Luxor Karnak Temple Reign of Tutmoses Theodosius I moved it to Istanbul after defeat of Mesopotamia in AD 390
40	Hittite Used 34 Times in Old Testament Figure and Cuneiform Writing 1500 BC
41	King Midas “Golden Touch” Tumulus 700 BC - Gordion King in Phrygia Body in Ankara Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
42	Mount Nimrod (Nemrud) Figures - 700 BC Micah 5:6 Assyrian influence Babylonian influence
43	Assyrian Kings List 7^th Century BC Istanbul Archaeological Museum
44	Babylon Ishtar Gate–Nebuchadnezzar II c. 600 BC Istanbul Arch. Museum-also parts in Pergamom/Louvre
45	Babylon Ishtar Gate–Nebuchadnezzar II c. 600 BC Istanbul Arch. Museum-also parts in Pergamom/Louvre
46	Babylon Ishtar Gate–Nebuchadnezzar II c. 600 BC Istanbul Arch. Museum-also parts in Pergamom/Louvre
47	Alexander the Great Sarcophagus 323 BC Istanbul Archaeological Museum – From Sidon
48	Alexander the Great Bust 3^rd Century BC Istanbul Archaeological Museum
49	Tarsus – Paul’s Home - Acts 22:2-5, 9:15-16 Cleopatra Gate given by Marc Anthony
50	Paul’s Supposed Well at Tarsus Acts 22:2-5, 9:15-16
51	Antioch Church Cave - Gentile Jerusalem Barnabas, Paul, Peter, Agabus, and Ignatius (Syrian Antioch vs. Pisidian Antioch) Acts 8:1-3, 9:19-31, 11:19-30, 13:1-3, 14:26-15:35
52	Cappodocia Caves - Christian Homes Acts 2:5-6 I Peter 1:1-2 Entire cities underground to hide from persecutors
53	First Missionary Journey of Paul
54	Second Missionary Journey of Paul
55	Troas (Oduniskelesi)
56	Third Missionary Journey of Paul
57	Pisidian Antioch Acts 13:13-52
58	Lystra Acts 14:1-20, 16:1-5, Timothy
59	Derbe No Persecution for Paul
60	Patmos Island View from Cave of John
61	Patmos Island John’s Revelation Patmos is the Greek island off Turkey where John had revelation and wrote letter to the seven churches of Asia As we travel through the church cities, note how Jesus related each city’s problems to the church also
62	Seven Churches of Revelation Take Revelation 1:2 in context as John stated these were “the things which must soon take place.” Revelation 1:12-16 – compare glory of Jesus to that of the Roman Emperors Seven messages and book of Revelation cannot be properly understood without understanding the time period and emperor worship Emperor worship began in Pergamum and quickly spread Revelation 2-3 is ordered in the fashion a messenger would have traveled during that time If a young disciple of John would have taken the letters, he would have followed this route Revelation was written to real people in real churches with real problems and challenges and the writer discussed “specific issues” the city/church would relate with Romans called the province Asia because they had known the kings of the Attalids in the most powerful city Pergamum as the “kings of Asia” King Attalus had given the province to Rome Cicero wrote of Asia’s wealth: “In the richness of its soil, in the variety of its products, in the extent of its pastures, and in the number of its exports, it surpasses all other lands.” Each message has a similar pattern to it
63	Seven Churches of Revelation Ephesus to Smyrna & Pergamum is 100 miles north Then southeast to Thyatira & Sardis Then to Sardis & Philadelphia Finally to Laodicea is 150 miles Then west 100 miles back to Ephesus
64	Aegean Sea Shoreline at Ephesus – Rev 2:1-7 1st of 7 Churches Letter Went To On Existing Roads
65	Ephesus Theatre and Harbor Road Old Harbor Filled In With Silt around AD 600, Malaria, Decline
66	Ephesus (Efes) History & Baptistery King Croesus (Lydia) 560 BC Temple of Artemis – 1^st of 7 Wonders Paul, Aquilla & Priscilla c. AD 50 Paul, Apollos, & 12 for 3 years c. AD 54 4^th largest city – 250,000 people 70 Christians martyred by Nero Paul sent Timothy to lead church Apostle John, Mary, Luke lived & died First Gnostics and worship of Mary Church of Virgin Mary baptistery Byzantine church - Council AD 431 Note early immersion support Ephesians letter Acts 19:1-41, 1 Tim 1:3-5 2 Tim1:3-5, 4:9-21, Rev. 1:4,11, 2-3
67	Ephesus Odeon Civic Meetings & Plays
68	Ephesus Roman Baths Romans Destroyed Anatolian Forests for Heating Baths
69	Government Agora (Marketplace)
70	Heracles Gate
71	Curetes Street City of Women Goal of every Roman Woman was to see Ephesus once in her life Artemis festival in May Icthus (fish) on Harbor Road Arcadian Way “Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Saviour” Mark Anthony went to Ephesus to buy jewels and spices for Cleopatra Cayster River – silt to sea 7 miles
72	Ephesus Church Hard work Faithfulness Doctrinal purity Potentially wealthy, educated, and beautiful on the outside Lacking love and passion for Jesus Conquerors = martyrdom Candlestick/lampstand can be removed - public Became a leading church in Asia for over 500 years
73	Ephesus Church 1 John 4:1 written by apostle John, probably while in Ephesus, and possibly gospel of John – Apostolic Succession Great teachers & Christians in Ephesus – Apollos, Priscilla & Aquila, Paul, Luke, John, Jesus’ mother Mary, etc. Intolerance of doctrinal impurity and loyalty can breed a critical, inquisitive spirit that we should be careful about because it leaves out love
74	Temple to Emperor Domitian 81-96 Domitian Exiled John to Patmos Colossal Statue with Forearm 6 ft.
75	Temple to Emperor Hadrian
76	Brothel – Woman Advertisement
77	Ephesian Roman Latrine Cold in winter Rich Romans warmed seat with slaves sitting prior to rich Roman Running water underneath Fountain to encourage excretion Running water in front to wash hands after - don’t sit downstream!! No toilet paper – Turkey today
78	Ephesus Library & Mausoleum of Celsus 3^rd Greatest Library next to Alexandria & Pergamum – 12,000 Scrolls
79	Ephesus Library & Mausoleum of Celsus Lecture Hall of Tyranus Across Reflection Pool
80	Temple of “Artemis of the Ephesians” One of Seven Wonders – 6 years to find & storks .
81	Temple of “Artemis of the Ephesians” Hunt/Childbirth Goddess & Big Source of Revenue Paul made an impact on financial concerns of residents – thousands involved – Acts 19:23-29 Many priestesses were dedicated to cult prostitution – Nicolaitans? Weeping philosopher Heraclitus “people fit only to be drowned and the reason why he could never laugh or smile was because he lived amidst such terrible uncleanness” Parthenon in Athens had 46 columns--Temple of Artemis (Roman Diana) in Ephesus had 127 columns twice as tall as Parthenon Goths destroyed it and Justinian reused marble columns in Hagia Sophia in Constantinople [now Istanbul]
82	Theatre - “Artemis of the Ephesians” 25,000 – Mt. Pion, 66 rows of seats, perfect acoustics .
83	Apostle John’s Grave in Ephesus Church Ephesus Where John Wrote Gospel, Luke and Mary Purportedly Buried
84	St. John’s Basilica Baptistery Early Christianity held many baptisms by immersion
85	Ephesus Church What lies at the center of my faith and gives me courage, hope, and stability? Would I love Jesus if my life or my church culture were not so good? How is the bride of Christ’s romance with Jesus, my savior? Is it boring? Or dead? Or relationship with Jesus, the conqueror of death? Revelation 1:12-16
86	Temple of “Artemis of the Ephesians” Fertility Goddess & Primary Source of Revenue About 15 years after John’s writing of Revelation, Ignatius commended Ephesus church for refusing to give a “home” to any heresy What made the Ephesian church a great congregation? What was the problem in the Ephesian church? What actions can we take to remain doctrinally pure but show the love for Jesus that God desires? How can the church be a lampstand? What was the spirit of the Nicolaitans and how do we see this today? What can we do to not have the problems of the Ephesian church? What did it mean to be a conqueror in Revelation?
87	Smyrna(Izmir) – 2^nd of 7 Churches Smyrna = Myrrh, Polycarp was a Leader
88	Smyrna Agora Marketplace – Rev 2:8-11 Homer’s City, Izmir Turkey’s 3rd Largest City
89	Smyrna - Capstone’s Importance Wine & Luxury important - any Christians found were executed on the mountain because they promoted a moderate lifestyle rather than one of opulence
90	Smyrna - Capstone’s Importance Wine & Luxury important - any Christians found were executed on the mountain because they promoted a moderate lifestyle rather than one of opulence 40 miles north of Ephesus “Crown of life” & “Crown of Smyrna” of Hill Pagos After 2,000 years, the vaulted ceiling arches of the underground storage rooms are still intact Smyrna built the first temple for the emperor in Asia Martyrdom of Polycarp in A.D. 155 Taught by the apostle John Polycarp stated to proconsul Quadratus when asked to proclaim Caesar as Lord at trial potentially in agora, “Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never once wronged me; how then should I blaspheme my King, who saved me?” Polycarp and others could have compromised but were burned at the stake in the stadium, with wood brought by the Jews on the Sabbath One letter with praise and encouragement without challenges – sometimes poor have more heart!
91	Smyrna - Ignatius Wrote Four Letters in Smyrna on the Way to Rome’s Coliseum
92	Smyrna - Capstone’s Importance Wine & Luxury revenue important – Acts 16, 19 10 days like short period of persecution (Daniel 1:12) Crown of Life – laurel given in athletic games to the winner Christ does not promise us immunity from problems in our lives Faithful unto death (Romans 8:35-39) How do religious or secular communities oppose Christianity today? How should Christians respond to persecution? How do Jesus’ promises help us deal with temptations and trials? Why are poor Christians some of the happiest? Share some stories about believers whose lives and examples through challenges made an impact on your life How could your faith make a positive impact?
93	Pergamum (Bergama) 3rd of 7 Churches Revelation 2:12-17 City as great as Ephesus “City on a hill cannot be hidden” – acropolis 1,000 feet above the valley King Attalus (Asia) Capital of Asia for 250 years – fertile Caicus River Temple of Trajan Temple of Athena was first museum and entrance to library Emperor Worship in Asia began here
94	Pergamum - City Built on a Hill
95	Pergamum Temple of Trajan Paul Passed Through - Acts 16:7-8
96	Pergamum Theatre Double Edged Sword - Power to Kill Typical Greek theatre with every seat in cavea following the steep acropolis rock and having an unbelievable view of the surrounding valley to sunset Throne of Satan on hill Temple of Dionysius 3 Christians thrown to the wild animals here in 3rd Century No compromising
97	Pergamum Altar Temple of Zeus – 160 BC Berlin Satan’s Throne, Sword of Authority
98	Pergamum Altar Temple of Zeus Berlin Model in Pergamom Museum
99	Pergamum Altar Temple of Zeus – Berlin Altar in Pergamom Museum
100	Pergamum Altar Temple of Zeus - Berlin “Zeus the Savior” temple seen all over
101	Temple Supports Difficult to conceive how much man labor it took to build all the structures, and we only see a few of them now
102	Pergamum Library-Alexandria, Mark Anthony 200,000 Scrolls-King hired librarian from Alexandria so he was thrown in prison and Egypt stopped selling Papyrus so King put out challenge (197 BC) that resulted in Parchments or “Pergamum-sheets” animal skin that introduced Codex—Olive Tree Wishes for “Good Luck”
103	Pergamum Hippocrates Asclepion First Healing Center First healing center 300 BC Snake from Moses and Israelites healing Emperor Augustus visited twice Asia minor earthquake AD 17 Emperor Tiberius stopped taxes Emperor Hadrian gave money Emperor Caracalla treatment Parchment or vellum, which is from the skin of calves and lambs, came from Pergamum after Pharaoh banned export of papyrus to Pergamum. Much of the Bible was written with parchment. Asklepios symbol was the serpent and perhaps another symbol of the “throne of Satan”
104	Pergamum Asclepion Healing Tunnel Hippocrates, father of medicine Hippocrates said health spiritual not just physical Galen next greatest doctor born here New Age type remedies Piped in drugs through smoke Trickling water for calm feeling Equivalent to Nature CD’s Emperors and many would visit Walk barefoot on pebbles Mud baths, sun bathing Listen to cheerful / soothing music Listening to testimonies of cured Working with art
105	Asclepion - Lower Stadium
106	Asclepion Healing Areas
107	Red Basilica Church 2^nd Century Temple to Isis & Serapis
108	Pergamum Church Idolatry Emperor Worship Burn incense to statue Declare “Caesar is Lord” Temple to Augustus 29 BC Temple to Trajan Temple Worship Temple to Zeus Worship of god Asklepios Rome gave capital punishment with sword
109	Pergamum Church “Pinch of incense and a few meaningless words and temple sex once a year is not so bad, etc.” Compromise in private or hidden fashion won’t hurt anyone Our choices are more subtle today and culture is filled with sex and indulgence Problem is that compromise always affects you more than you think – Isis plotting to learn name Balaam leads to compromise and the sword – Numbers 22, 24, 31 Jesus and judgment of church Rabbis held that the Messiah would feed the people in the same way as Moses did with manna
110	Pergamum Church Where might we find “Satan’s throne” today? How do people today compromise sexually like Balaam? Are we tempted with using God’s love to excuse our behavior? Romans 6:1-4 How can we avoid the temptation to compromise? Is Christianity a counter-cultural way of life?
111	Thyatira (Akhisar) - 4th of 7 Churches Temple of Apollo (Sun god)
112	Thyatira - Montanism Founded AD 150 Smelting, Purple Cloth Trade Unions - Lydia
113	Thyatira - Homer Mentions Thyatira Jezebel - Trade Deals Included Sex & Idol Sacrifices
114	Thyatira (Akhisar) - 4th of 7 Churches Feet of Bronze – Ezekiel, Micah 4:13 Judgment and defense of holiness of God Son of God – Psalm 2 and allusion to sun god Apollo Rod of Iron – Revelation 12:5, 19:11-16 Jezebel-like Woman – 1 Kings 16:31, 2 Kings 9:22 Idols – anything we place in front of God Jesus searches our hearts and minds Deep Things of Satan – Immorality “If you haven’t tried it, don’t knock it” vs. “There is no need to try what Jesus says is wrong” Trade Guilds Rites of initiation, patron deities, feasts, sexual ceremonies, trade deals, etc. Lydia sold purple garments known as “Turkey red” – Acts 16:11-14 Reign with Jesus – Revelation 20:4ff Morning Star – Jesus’ bright messianic glory Discuss the meanings of God’s holiness? How can a church’s works mature? What might the “deep things of Satan” be in today’s society? How might the church in Thyatira and Corinth be similar (Rev. 2:20 & 1 Cor. 5:1-2)?
115	Sardis - 5th of 7 Churches World’s First Coin Mint-Lydian King Croesus 550BC
116	Sardis Wall - Come Like A Thief Soldier Dropped Helmet, Got It, Led King Cyrus/Persians In Wake up reminded the people of the invasion Church resembled the city – old & complacent Living in the glory days Going through motions
117	Sardis Gymnasium – Reputation “have a name that you are alive, but you are dead”
118	Sardis = “Left Over” - Past Glory-Ex 32:31-33 Temple of Artemis – 300 ft long/58 ft tall – 4^th largest
119	Sardis Synagogue - Many Jews Largest Ancient Synagogue Found Hostility between church and Jews in Smyrna/Philadelphia but not Sardis?
120	Sardis Church Questions
121	Byzantine Church Church Dispersed After Invasions of Goths
122	Philadelphia (Alashehir) 6th of 7 Churches City of Brotherly Love
123	Philadelphia Crossroads of provinces Two brother kings love for each other - King Attalus II of Pergamum built in honor of his brother Between Sardis (dead church) and Laodicea (lukewarm church) but spiritual Frequent earthquakes (AD 17) - Strabo reported most people were living in huts in AD 20 Built strong foundations to guard against earthquakes 3rd century center of Montanism – no mention of this, which implies again that the letter was focused on this time period Difficult to find 7 churches of Revelation without guide because they are named differently today Notice that none of the church cities have church remains from the first, second or third centuries. Not until the Byzantine period did church building begin. Up to then, the church was primarily spiritual-focused, not material-focused. This is the same in Israel.
124	Philadelphia Byzantine Church Faithful but poor and weak Open door for witnessing Only praise no rebuke Begins differently without threat of judgment using “I am” to show power of Revelation 1 “Key of David” – Isaiah 22:20-25 Philadelphian Christians died with Polycarp in the fire at Smyrna Promise of “pillar” specific to where earthquakes were frequent Philadelphia stayed a strong church far longer than any other in Asia, until AD 1392 when Ottomans attacked What open doors does our church have? How can opposition or challenges make you stronger and success weaker?
125	Laodicea (Denizli) - Cicero Leader 7th of 7 Churches - Hippodrome
126	Laodicea Sheep and Unexcavated Ruin 4th Council AD 367 Met in Laodicea
127	Laodicea Greek Theatre Rich Bankers, Traders and Wool Producers
128	Colossae Tell View - Colossians
129	Colossae Tell View “Great or Large” - Unexcavated
130	Colossae Cold, Pure Waters
131	Hierapolis Roman Theatre “Holy City”
132	Hierapolis Pamukkale Hot Springs Swim with the Roman Columns!
133	Hierapolis Pamukkale Calcium Terraces Means “cotton castle” and healthy to soak in but foul sickening taste Larger than Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park Tourists are no longer allowed to bath on the terraces but can swim in the Hot Springs above with the Roman Pillars
134	Lukewarm Spit It Out Wool producers yet naked Problem with minerals clogging pipes and even the aqueduct Mineralized water very distasteful Quote from eyewitness Blaicklock, “This water is not hot enough to cure anyone [unlike Pamukkale upstream] and is not cold enough [unlike Colossae ice caves downstream] to quench anyone’s thirst. Also there are so many other things in the water that even if you did try to drink it, it would give you pain and most probably make you want to vomit.”
135	Lukewarm Spit It Out Jesus has no words of praise Church comfortable and secure in its wealth but were not rich toward God Did not need Roman help to rebuild after AD 61 earthquake as they could do it themselves Sometimes Christians measure themselves in terms of their wealth, education, and power Cold Christians know their situation Lukewarm Christians don’t know the seriousness of their condition Get people involved in our lives Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Contrast to Smyrna in Revelation 2:9 White garments compared to black wool of Lycus River Valley Nakedness – Nahum 3:5 Ear/eye infections and ointment from local medical clinic created eye salve (Phrygian Powder/collyrium used by Physician Galen)
136	Lukewarm Spit It Out Why is spiritual lukewarmness so dangerous? How can affluence be a threat to our spirituality? What symptoms would you watch for to see lukewarmness? How does the American ideal of self-sufficiency compare with Jesus’ call for dependence upon Him? How has God taken the initiative in seeking me and showing his love for me?
137	Light of the World Holman Hunt 1851-53 Keble College, Oxford Jesus stand patiently knocking at the door of our hearts and knocks like the lover in Song of Solomon 5:2-6. Note that there is no latch or door handle on the outside – it can only be opened from the inside! No other religion has God seeking man! Revelation 3:20 frequently taken out of context as this is written to Christians not to non-believers as the response to the gospel Revelation 3:20-22 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.“
138	Istanbul Hagia Sophia Byzantine Church 1,000 year-capitol of Eastern Church and built by Justinian in AD 6^th century turned into Mosque by Ottoman Sultans over 800 years later in AD 1453
139	Istanbul Blue Mosque Faces Hagia Sophia Built to compare Islamic/Christian architecture Hagia Sophia is a museum and Christian faith is a relic of the past now
140	Miletus Paul Says Goodbye to Ephesian Elders Acts 20:13-38 Few miles south of Ephesus Market Gate in Berlin Pergamom Museum
141	Miletus Market Gate in Berlin Paul Says Goodbye to Ephesian Elders
142	Assos
143	Ani - “City of One Thousand Churches” Armenia first “christianized” nation AD 300 Armenians and Turks live mostly peaceably for 1500 years Much fighting during late 1800s up through WW I as Turks and Armenians fight each other Ani former Capital City of several peoples including Armenians AD 1000
144	Mongol Helmets 13-14^th Centuries AD Van Archaeological Museum
145	WW I Completely Devastates Van Fighting with Russians, Armenians, Turks & Kurds
146	Partisan Fighting and Killing – WW I Armenians & Turks Kill Each Other – Mutilated Turks in Van, Erzurum, Kars Museums
147	Ataturk Mustafa Kemal Ottoman Empire fell AD 1915 Ataturk formed Turkey AD 1923 Secular not Muslim-based Military authority ultimate Radical religion is bad 99.9% Muslim but only 15% go to Mosque Heritage more than religion Similar to Catholics/Jews More Ataturk public depictions than anyone else next to Jesus and Mother Mary
148	Myra Sarcophagus of St. Nicholas Paul’s ship stopped here on his way to Rome Fourth century AD St. Nicholas’ memory became the basis for Santa Claus
149	Muslim Woman Covered Completely Not a large percentage in Turkey
150	Adana Mosque with Many Minarets Where Muslim Singers Chant Prayers 5 Times Daily
151	Turkish Military Parade in Dogubayazit Military Is Everywhere Inside Country – USA Outside
152	Traditional Turkish Dress Ataturk Outlawed Ottoman Islamic Fez
153	Turkish Hospitality Turkish Friendship Holding arms, hands or shoulders commonplace between same sex Turkish Tea “Chai” “Smokes like a Turk” is a true phrase
154	Kurdish Shepherd In southeastern Turkey near Siirt Kurdish area around borders of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Turkey Note three-piece suit for shepherds!
155	Overloading Animals and Trucks Don’t Drive at Night in Rural Turkey!
156	Turkeys in Turkey Donkeys, Sheep, Ducks, Chickens…
157	Baykan Sheep - No Pigs Allowed! Although the Kurds love to hunt wild boar
158	Tourist Map #1
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160	Biblical Turkey and the Seven Churches of Revelation Rex Geissler www.greatcommission.com