Hot and cold

 

 

Hierapolis cemetery

Used to be a place of worship, food was often offered too

Maybe that is why the demon possessed man lived among the tombs

Romans would leave 2 golden coins on the eyes of the deceased

Graves are robbed to get those valuable coins these days

 

Hierapolis had a substantial Jewish population 2000 years ago

The Jews buried their dead at the same day

then mourned 7 days (except Sabbath) at the tomb

Then 33 more days at home, total 40 days

 

 Jesus was around for the full mourning period after His death

40 days

 

 

Romans celebrated greatness with arches (gates)

Crucifixions would be just outside the gate,

so many people would see it

The rich could use the middle gate the slaves had to go around

 

What do our gates look like?

 

at one time the apostle Philip was here with his 7 daughters

what a difficult mission field a Roman resort town

 

 

Church history records that his 7 daughters were killed and violated

in front of him, but they encouraged Philip not to give up his faith

 

 

We took our pictures at the Martyrium of the apostle Philip 

persecution is becoming a returning story

 

 

Hierapolis is famous for it's hot springs,

that leave a calcium deposit on the hills

 

 

It was a city where Roman legions went to relax and it was famous

for it's baths, they are huge (this is only a small section)

 

leaving the hot water at Hierapolis

 

we walked past a fast running cold water stream

that came from melting snow near Collossae

 

 

Collosae is unexcavated, It never got the large sums of money

to rebuild after the earthquake that other cities in the area got

Few Jews lived here maybe that is why

the letter to the Colossians has lots of practical advise

 

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:

 sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,

which is idolatry.  

 

Laodicea

 

 

an exciting find in Laodicea

This is so cool! a menorah (with palm branch and shofar)

and out of it grows an anchor cross 

this is the way it should be

 

 

from Laodicea you can see the hot springs from Hierapolis

and the mountains that bring cold water to Colossae

 

Revelation 3:

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.

I wish you were either one or the other!

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—

I am about to spit you out of my mouth

 

the water pipes in Laodicea where clogged

with minerals and didn't run properly

 

 

After the earth quakes they rebuild without Roman help

Revelation 3;

You say, ‘I am rich;

 I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing

 

We also talked how Roman soldiers could come

 to your house and demand to be fed (banquet stile)

 

so often the scriptures, culture and history help explain scripture 

 

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 that person, and they with me.