Pergamum

Pergamum was the first place that we visited that had legitimate ruins. We were so fascinated by what must have been an incredible city, that we didn't stop to consider that the very ruins we were admiring were once the very things (the Temple of Zeus and the Temple to the Emperor) that were so oppressive to early Christians. When John wrote to the church here he acknowledge where they lived and what they had to put up with "...where Satan has his throne" (Rev.2:13), but he insisted they stay faithful to God inspite of it all. As much as we were sad that so little of the original buildings remain, if the first century Christian could see these temples now they would be encouraged at their demise.