Echoes of the Ancient New Testament Cities: Sardis

Matthew J. Elliott

Used from www.toursaroundturkey.com

Today marks the end of this journey with the 7 churches written to in the book of Revelation. It's been revealing to me, and I hope it has been for you, as readers!  Sardis was a church that had one of the most unexpected histories throughout this entire series so far. We still have a few more cities to visit, but the reputation Sardis had merited its own article. 

I’ve shared about earthquakes a lot in this series, and Sardis was similarly rebuilt after a massive earthquake around 17 AD. This earthquake destroyed twelve major cities in Asia Minor, and Tacitus explicitly states in his Book of Annals that Sardis was hit the hardest. Emperor Tiberius pledged 10 million sesterces (or a million dollars) and granted them a 5-year waiver on imperial taxes. 

That is not the most troublesome part of their history either. Sardis was the capital of the ancient Lydian Empire and was well known for its wealth and prestige. History attributes this wealth to the city being the first to create coins made of pure gold and silver from the Pactolus River, which flowed at the bottom of the giant plateau of cliffs where the city stood. The city was protected on three sides.

Used from lavistachurchofchrist.org

With that kind of prestige, Sardis was well sought after, and it fell twice. Once in 547 BC to Cyrus the Great and then again in 218 BC under Antiochus the Great's conquest. This city did not fall twice because it was not well protected. It fell because the city guard was overconfident. They believed the city walls made it impenetrable. Both armies scaled the wall at night using secret paths that were left unprotected while the city slept. Does that sound familiar? 

The city was famous for its old riches and also for the assistance Rome offered it. In everything, the city leaned heavily into its reputation, and all of it led to nothing more than a city that fell twice because of the prideful ambition of its people. By the end of the first century, the city was a shadow of its former glory, holding on to what it had lost, but limiting its own growth and prosperity. 

Culturally, Sardis was also known to be a major center for wool production and fabric dyeing. Some sources I found indicated that it was invented in Sardis. While I did not verify that claim, it is something fascinating to think about considering Revelation 3:4. It was also a place where Pagan rituals were regularly practiced in the Temple of Artemis, which would have required a massive amount of clean robes for the people who lived there. 

One of the more fascinating things that I found was how ancient Greek and Roman cities, such as Sardis, kept official records of citizenship. Criminals and anyone who died were physically erased from official records. I will say that this claim is not exclusive to Sardis, but the fact that we have Revelation 3:5 indicates there is some connection to the city. I don’t know if I like the idea of my loved ones or even criminals being wiped from existence.

Something that was made abundantly clear to me about the seven churches in Revelation is that the messages sent to them in scripture are directly tied to their history and culture. In Sardis, their primary enemy was not an external force like it was in Pergamum or even internal heresies like it was in Thyatira. The city was an enemy to itself, and they needed to wake up and understand that things weren’t going to change until they fell again.

This city was filled with compromises. While archaeology and history show a thriving population to the world, internally they were lifeless, self-centered, and filled with pride. There were a few who remained faithful, and the promises they received offered a substantial reward for their courage to stand firm.  That is something worth keeping a watchful eye on. 

Sardis is a great reminder that reputation and reality are not the same thing. They had everything: wealth, prestige, strategic placement, and even imperial favor. But those things mean nothing without the right focus on them. Sardis teaches us that our spiritual strength isn’t just maintained, it is something we exercise daily so that it pushes us deeper into faith. 

 ~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is married and has three wonderful children who bring him immense joy and inspiration. One of his favorite things to do with them is to share stories they can someday learn from. When writing a story, he aspires to minister to others with love, equip them with encouragement, and use the gift God has given him as a writer to help readers experience God in a real and meaningful way.

Find Matthew on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, BookBub, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

If you're curious about The Hope of Inheritance, or any of my books, you can keep up with me on Facebook. You can also read my episodic content on REAM Right Now! The Ephesus Pages, Mysteries in Ephesus (Season 2) is available there for free to my followers. I will be releasing more content there soon.

~~~

In the aftermath of the Great Fire of 64 AD, Rome lies in ruins. Emperor Nero and his ruthless Prefect of the City, Lysias, unleash a wave of persecution that threatens the very existence of the early church.

Nathaniel, a seasoned scribe and longtime companion of Luke, records the journeys that will shape the future of the faith as it was taught by those who walked with Christ. They are known as The Founders.

From the destruction of Colossae to the tribulations in Ephesus… From the Council of Corinth to the shattered streets of Rome… Nathaniel and his brother Zadok witness courage, betrayal, and the final days of two of the greatest founders — Peter and Paul.

Four men are chosen.

Their message will change everything.

Hope will rise again.

Echoes of the Ancient New Testament Cities: Pergamum and Thyatira

Matthew James Elliott

Here we are again with two more of the churches from the book of Revelation, and these two churches are nothing compared to the two churches I shared about in last month's post, Smyrna and Philadelphia. In truth, there are some similarities, but when it comes down to it, Pergamum and Thyatira had their own struggles, and they were significant enough to be noted in the vision given to the Apostle John. 

By stepping into the history of these two churches, we are going to dig into some troubling details about how the early believers often faced political terror and even financial ruin because of their faith. The story's background involves false rituals and forced circumstances that oppose the very idea of spiritual freedom. That only hits the surface of how deep the story goes with these two. 

The struggles they faced were important.

The outcome of the struggle was powerful.

~ Pergamum ~

Acropolis in Pergamum by Friedrich Thierch – 1882.

In Revelation 2:12-17, John is given a letter for the church in Pergamum. It encourages them because of their faithfulness. The one who has a sharp, double-edged sword speaks to them and says, “You did not refuse to tell about your faith in me even when your leaders were killed before you.” This is a direct correlation to the fact that Pergamum was the seat of imperial authority. It was the capital of Roman Asia and a political power with massive stone monuments dedicated to gods like Zeus (the king of the gods) and Asclepius (the serpent god of healing). 

Long before John received the Revelation, Pergamum was already Asia's first city to receive permission to build temples like the Altar of Zeus and the Asclepion. The Altar of Zeus was a massive, chair-shaped stone altar that overlooked the city, and the Asclepion was a medical center famous throughout the world at that time. In 29 BC, the Romans built the first Imperial Cult Temple in this city.  Needless to say, when Jesus said, “This is where Satan lives,” you can guess who he was talking about. 

Pergamon was an aristocratic city dominated by the false teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. When it came to standing up for their beliefs, one man stood out to me, and his name was Antipas. Scripture indicates he was the man killed for his faith, but a local legend about him being sealed inside a bronze bull and burned alive particularly struck me. Talk about scary, right?

Despite the brutality of this death, there is some good news: later in the letter, Jesus promises, “I will give hidden manna to everyone who stands firm and a white stone with a new name engraved upon it .” This is a promise of restoration. Instead of bowing to Rome, Jesus promised believers something much more powerful than Rome. 

~ Thyatira ~

Unlike Pergamum, Thyatira was a practical, working-class city that existed in the valleys of Asia along the major trade routes. Similar to how things were in Smyrna, trade guilds were the main attraction. In many historical accounts that I found regarding this city, it is a common belief that this city had a monopoly on trade guilds. Do you remember the story of Lydia in Acts 16? Well, she was from this city.

Ruins of Thyatira - Wikipedia

Thyatira had more active trade unions than almost any other city in ancient Asia. People knew the city for its clothing and dyes, potters and bakers, and, to throw things back to Pergamum for a quick reflection, bronze-smiths. Here is something to think about: Thyatira would have supplied the bronze that Antipas may have been sealed inside before he was martyred. It's incredible to think how connected the cities these 7 churches were in actually are, isn’t it? 

In Revelation 2:18-29, which is the longest letter of the seven, by the way, at 12 verses, we learn a great deal about the city. It was a city filled with false teachings, just like Pergamum, but the difference here was that this is by far the worst warning and the most encouraging promise. Basically, Jesus states that judgment will be cast and many will suffer greatly because of it, but those who stand firm in my teaching will have the ultimate victory. 

The church gave in to the teachings of a woman whom Jesus called a Jezebel.  Her influence likely combined the pagan practices with guild expectations, making compromise feel unavoidable. If you know your Old Testament history, Jezebel was one of the worst villains in biblical history. The entire city was controlled by these false teachers and the requirements of the guilds. If you weren't someone who followed these two groups, you had no chance of a life free from suffering.

The deep secrets hidden by these two groups left the city haunted by fear and led to compromise to save themselves from it. 

~ Bringing the History Home ~

Both of these churches teach us two powerful messages. From Pergamum, we learn that intimidation does not define our future. From Thyatira, we are reminded that even in the midst of overwhelming odds, we do not have to compromise our beliefs or deny who we truly are. In the vision given to John, Jesus acknowledges both the struggles these two churches endured and the hope they would have if they chose to let go. 

In whatever we face, standing up for what we claim to believe does not have to lead us into fear or compromise; it can give us courage we can live out in our daily lives. In our faithfulness, we are promised a “white stone and given a new name,” but we are also promised the “ultimate victory” in those same struggles that have held us down in life. I encourage you to look into the deeper meaning behind these letters. Who knows, you may even learn something for yourself.

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is married and has three wonderful children who bring him immense joy and inspiration. One of his favorite things to do with them is to share stories they can someday learn from. When writing a story, he aspires to minister to others with love, equip them with encouragement, and use the gift God has given him as a writer to help readers experience God in a real and meaningful way.

Find Matthew on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, BookBub, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

If you're curious about The Hope of Inheritance or any of my books, you can keep up with me on REAMStories or Facebook. The Hope of Inheritance was selected as the book of the month for my Biblical Fiction Facebook Authors Group, so keep your eyes on my Facebook for some fun things this month. You can also read Mysteries in Ephesus, Season 2 of The Ephesus Pages on REAM Right Now!

~~~

In the aftermath of the Great Fire of 64 AD, Rome lies in ruins. Emperor Nero and his ruthless Prefect of the City, Lysias, unleash a wave of persecution that threatens the very existence of the early church.

Nathaniel, a seasoned scribe and longtime companion of Luke, records the journeys that will shape the future of the faith as it was taught by those who walked with Christ. They are known as The Founders.

From the destruction of Colossae to the tribulations in Ephesus… From the Council of Corinth to the shattered streets of Rome… Nathaniel and his brother Zadok witness courage, betrayal, and the final days of two of the greatest founders — Peter and Paul.

Four men are chosen.

Their message will change everything.

Hope will rise again.

Echoes of the Ancient New Testament Cities: Smyrna and Philadelphia

Matthew James Elliott

One of my favorite things about this whole series has been discovering the unique connections each of these ancient cities share with both Scripture and history. Walking through them one by one has brought new life to the biblical text and opened my eyes to details that are shaping The World of Kedoshim in ways I never expected. 

These communities were real.
They faced real pressures. 

And piecing their stories together has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

For July, we’re looking at the only two cities in Revelation that received praise in the book of Revelation—Smyrna and Philadelphia. Their stories are quite similar in many ways, but each one carried its own distinct burdens in Revelation 2 and Revelation 3. For both churches, the central theme is faithfulness under pressure. 

The goal wasn’t about performance.
The goal wasn’t about perfection. 

It was about their willingness to cling to Christ when everything around them pushed toward compromise. I also have a deeply personal connection to the church in Philadelphia. Revelation 3:8 was the last verse my mother used to encourage me before she passed away in 2009:

“I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (NIV)

At a time when I had no idea what I was meant to do—or how I was going to navigate the grief of losing her—she gave me this verse. It has changed my life more times than I can count. It taught me that no matter where the struggles show up, the open door is still there. Strength will come. Faithfulness will hold. And that is exactly the message I see woven through the stories of Smyrna and Philadelphia.

~ Smyrna ~

Ruins of Smyrna Agora 

Historically, Smyrna was a major port city—wealthy, influential, and fiercely loyal to Rome. Though the population was largely Jewish, the city held impressive civic power. Its skyline was filled with stadiums, theaters, temples to the gods and emperors, and even its own version of a Greek gymnasium. 

All of this created enormous pressure on believers who could have chosen conformity over conviction. If Christians refused to participate in Rome’s religious expectations, history tells us they were excluded from the trade market and slandered for their faith. Smyrna’s culture demanded emperor worship, and those who refused were branded as disloyal to the empire.

In Revelation 2:8–11, Jesus reminds them that despite their suffering, they are rich in faith (2:9). He encourages them not to fear the trials ahead (2:10). And He promises that those who remain faithful will be victorious (2:11). Smyrna’s story is one of faithfulness in suffering.

~ Philadelphia ~

Philadelphia was another city shaped by hardship—especially earthquakes. If you’ve noticed tremors appearing in more than one of my books, it’s because they were that common. After the devastating quake of AD 17, the city lived in constant fear of aftershocks. Many residents even lived outside the city walls for safety.

St John Church in Alasehir (ancient Philadelphia) 

The city was much smaller than Smyrna or Ephesus. Truthfully, it was more of a frontier outpost than a major metropolis. Its purpose was to spread Greek culture eastward, and under Vespasian, it was even renamed Flavia in honor of the emperor. Once again, believers who stepped away from Rome’s civic expectations lost their protection and had to fend for themselves.

In Revelation 3:7–13, the church is encouraged to hold fast to the promise of Christ’s return (3:11). They are reminded that even when their strength feels small, their faithfulness matters (3:8). And because they patiently endured rather than giving in to Rome, they are promised protection from the trials to come (3:10). Philadelphia’s story is one of faithfulness in weakness.

~ A Legacy Remembered ~

Learning all of this about the cities of Smyrna and Philadelphia has only made the verse my mother gave me more meaningful. It’s a promise, rooted in history, serving as a reminder that God sees us. Even when circumstances feel overwhelming, the inheritance He offers remains secure. As long as we faithfully endure the chaos the world throws at us, we will share in His victory.

Every believer lives in a “Smyrna” or a “Philadelphia.” We face pressures that expose our weaknesses. Faithfulness isn’t easy, but it is worth it. My mother lived that truth in more ways than one, and her legacy—along with the legacy of these two cities—continues to remind me that endurance is never wasted.

See you in the pages, 

MJE

PS (Next month, we head to Pergamum and Thyatira)

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is married and has three wonderful children who bring him immense joy and inspiration. One of his favorite things to do with them is to share stories they can someday learn from. When writing a story, he aspires to minister to others with love, equip them with encouragement, and use the gift God has given him as a writer to help readers experience God in a real and meaningful way.

Find Matthew on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, BookBub, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

If you're curious about The Hope of Inheritance or any of my books, you can keep up with me on REAMStories or Facebook. The Hope of Inheritance was selected as the book of the month for my Biblical Fiction Facebook Authors Group, so keep your eyes on my Facebook for some fun things this month. You can also read Mysteries in Ephesus, Season 2 of The Ephesus Pages on REAM Right Now!

~~~

In the aftermath of the Great Fire of 64 AD, Rome lies in ruins. Emperor Nero and his ruthless Prefect of the City, Lysias, unleash a wave of persecution that threatens the very existence of the early church.

Nathaniel, a seasoned scribe and longtime companion of Luke, records the journeys that will shape the future of the faith as it was taught by those who walked with Christ. They are known as The Founders.

From the destruction of Colossae to the tribulations in Ephesus… From the Council of Corinth to the shattered streets of Rome… Nathaniel and his brother Zadok witness courage, betrayal, and the final days of two of the greatest founders — Peter and Paul.

Four men are chosen.

Their message will change everything.

Hope will rise again.

Echoes of the Ancient New Testament Cities: Laodicea and a Mini Arc

Matthew James Elliott

Bibleinfo.com

In the Bible, there are seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Have you ever wondered why they were the churches mentioned and how they came into existence? I know that was one of the biggest questions on my mind when I was in college earning my degree in Biblical Studies.

I was so fixated on those seven churches that I missed some important discussion about the different beliefs about the end times and had to go back and study those on my own. There was something about those churches that just seemed important. Otherwise, why would they have been mentioned? For the next few posts, I intend to dive into the history of those seven churches. First on this deeper dive is the city of Laodicea.

It may be the last church mentioned in the book of Revelation, but its history merited being one of the first three I researched for this series. Why? Well, because its history lies hand in hand with Colossae, the city I wrote about last month. Truthfully, once I knew I was going to write that article, I knew I was going to do this one too. After all, Colossae is only one of three cities that are part of the Tri-City network I talked about last month. Let's not forget Ephesus from a few months ago either.

Laodicea was a wealthy and strategically placed city. Its position along the major trade routes from the east and west meant it played a huge role in several industries. Financially, it was one of the wealthiest cities of its time. Medically, it produced several industry-moving discoveries because it was home to a thriving medical school. Commodity, the black wool industry contributed significantly to its reputation for prosperity.

When we hear about the city in Revelation 3:14-20, verses 15-16 talk about a lukewarm church. That's not just a spiritual statement; aqueducts positioned miles away from the city walls brought their water in. By the time it found its way there, it was tepid and lukewarm. Hierapolis had hot, mineral-rich springs. People knew Colossae for its cool and refreshing water. Laodicea had neither, and its water tasted horrible.

Around 60 AD, Laodicea was hit with a devastating earthquake, and not the one that destroyed Colossae approximately four years later. This is a critical event because the city was wealthy enough to rebuild itself without any assistance from Rome. Historians consider this an important historical fact. If we take another look at 3:17-18, scripture calls them out on this sentiment.

One of the more well-known passages from Revelation comes from 3:20. “Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in…” It reminds us, or at least me, that I’m a work in progress, just as much as this church was. Paul expresses his concern for the church in Laodicea when he writes to the Colossian church, and he encourages them to share his letter with the Laodiceans.

Painting of Epaphras from safequardyoursoul.com

There is also a rumored letter that was written to the church by Paul, but that has been lost. Even just the mention of Laodicea and Hierapolis in Colossians 4:13-16 means that it had value to the ministry of Paul and his companions. Scripture doesn’t actually tell us who founded the church in Laodicea, but the most historically grounded explanation is Epaphras, based on the scripture I just provided. This means that between 50 AD and 60 AD, Laodicea was an active community recognized by the early church.

When Revelation was written in the 90s AD, the city failed to meet this calling. During Domitian's reign, the city had temples dedicated to the imperial cult. Archeology confirms that builders constructed temples, which likely honored Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, and even emperor worship. This stands to show that there was a diverse group of people living in Laodicea, and echoes that lukewarm spirit mentioned in Revelation.

All of this history makes for a good story, doesn't it? It also reminds us that history is shaped by more than just the people who lived it. History can be shaped by the industries of the past as well. What are some places you have learned about that echo this?

See you in the pages, 

MJE

PS, (Next Time we get to visit two cities, Smyrna and Philadelphia)

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is married and has three wonderful children who bring him immense joy and inspiration. One of his favorite things to do with them is to share stories they can someday learn from. When writing a story, he aspires to minister to others with love, equip them with encouragement, and use the gift God has given him as a writer to help readers experience God in a real and meaningful way.

Find Matthew on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, BookBub, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

If you're curious about The Hope of Inheritance or any of my books. Right now, my followers on my REAMStories Author Page are being entered into a drawing for some fun gifts. To check it out, just follow me there. You can also read Mysteries in Ephesus, Season 2 of The Ephesus Pages, while you're at it.

~~~

One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors.

Together, their Message will speak to Many.

The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is, until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach. 

The message has always been clear: The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering.

Echoes of the Ancient New Testament Cities: Colossae

Matthew James Elliott

Welcome to Colossae

The first story I released, which began The World of Kedoshim, was Finding Philemon. There is a lot of history with that story; some of it good, some of it bad, but it became the foundation of everything I do in biblical fiction. The city of Colossae plays a major role in it, and it continues to be a place I return to in my other stories as well.

When I picked up with The Hope of Inheritance in 2025, I expected to revisit Colossae with familiarity. Instead, I found myself standing at the edge of its destruction. As I researched the city during 64 AD, I realized I was writing about its final days. I will never forget what it felt like to describe the devastation of the great earthquake. It felt as though a home had been taken from me simply because history had decided the city had lived its life.

But before I get too far into that, I have to take you back to the beginning.

If Ephesus fascinated me when I was growing up, Colossae wins the gold medal among the cities Paul wrote to. There is the letter to the Colossians, of course, but also the letter to Philemon that was sent along with it. Both have become two of my favorite books in the Bible. So naturally, I was going to research the city for my books. If I ever had the chance to live in an ancient biblical city, I would choose Colossae.

Bible Atlas Map of Location

Geographically, Colossae sat in a valley alongside Laodicea (more on that city next month) and Hierapolis. These three cities were surrounded by mountains, connected by trade routes, and fed by the waters of the Lycus River Valley. Colossae rested at the foot of Mount Cadmus, and as far as we know, it has only recently started being excavated. This only adds to its mystery.

Surveys of the area reveal the remains of the Colossian acropolis, a defensive wall around the outskirts of the ruins, and a theater on the eastern side. These discoveries point to a significant military presence and a thriving cultural life that lasted until the city’s destruction, which I believe occurred in 64 AD.

There is some debate about that date. Tacitus, a Roman historian, places the earthquake in 60–61 AD, while Eusebius, a church historian, dates it to 64 AD. For The Hope of Inheritance, I found the later date more believable because Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome (where he wrote the letters to the Colossians and to Philemon) is dated around 61 AD. If the earthquake had already happened, the city would have been gone.

Speaking of Paul, did you know he never actually visited Colossae before writing to them? I was stunned when I learned this. The founder of the church is usually attributed to Epaphras, a native who likely heard Paul preach while he was in Ephesus during the events of Acts 19. (I didn’t expect this article to connect to my newest episode of The Ephesus Pages, but here we are.)

While Epaphras founded the church, another man, Philemon, became the leader of the house church. In The Cyprus Journal, my 2024 release, I share my ideas about how he may have been converted. What matters most is that this Philemon is the man Paul wrote to about the runaway slave Onesimus. Onesimus fled after some unknown conflict, found Paul in Rome, and returned home carrying a letter about reconciliation. Because of that moment, Colossae became a place forever tied to forgiveness and restoration.

Painting of Archangel and Archippus

One of the more unexpected discoveries I made about this city was the evidence that locals blended Christianity with the worship of angels for protection from mountain spirits. It’s clear in Colossians 2:16–20 that this was a real struggle for the church. Later art even depicts the Archangel Michael opening a chasm to save the community from a flood after the city was rebuilt at Chonnae; an event connected to the prayers of Archippus, whom some believe was related to Philemon.

Researching the martyrdom of Philemon brought its own challenges. Tradition places his death near the end of Nero’s reign in 68 AD, but the evidence I found about the Colossian community suggests an earlier date. When Paul writes his charge to Archippus in Colossians 4:17, it hints at a leadership crisis—one that may indicate Philemon was no longer around. Other traditions say Philemon and his wife were martyred during a pagan festival. If the city fell in 64 AD, their deaths would have occurred before the earthquake.

All of this paints a picture of a community shaped by reconciliation, tested by disaster, and ultimately forced to relocate to survive. Their story is one of faith under pressure, the blending and unblending of beliefs, and the resilience of a remnant determined to endure.

History is never just a page in a book. It is the people behind the pages—their choices, their losses, their courage. Colossae reminds me of that every time I return to it.

How about you?

See you in the pages, 

M.J.E.

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is married and has three wonderful children who bring him immense joy and inspiration. One of his favorite things to do with them is to share stories they can someday learn from. When writing a story, he aspires to minister to others with love, equip them with encouragement, and use the gift God has given him as a writer to help readers experience God in a real and meaningful way.

Find Matthew on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, BookBub, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

If you're curious about The Hope of Inheritance or any of my books. Right now, my followers on my REAMStories Author Page are being entered into a drawing for some fun gifts. To check it out, just follow me there. You can also read Mysteries in Ephesus, Season 2 of The Ephesus Pages, while you're at it.

~~~

One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors.

Together, their Message will speak to Many.

The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is, until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach. 

The message has always been clear: The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering.

Echoes of the Ancient New Testament Cities: Corinth

Matthew James Elliott

Ruins of Corinth

One of the most surprising aspects of writing for Heroes, Heroines, and History has been the opportunities it has given me to dive deep into research mode and discover fascinating stories that have been woven together throughout history. Has something you discovered when you were in research mode ever surprised you?

A great example of this is the city of Corinth. Being a Biblical Studies major, I already knew a lot about the city, but the focus of my knowledge was, “What does scripture say about the city?” In preparing to write The Hope of Inheritance, I needed a central location to host the council gathering that led Paul and his companions to Rome. Since I also needed to send characters to other locations, Corinth seemed like the logical place. 

In scripture, Corinth was a place where multiple cultures found safety from the tyranny of Rome. It became a melting pot of faith, political tension, and opportunity. The city was a crossroads for so many things, and the ideal place for believers to gather in secret to figure out what their priorities in mission were. As a bonus, it had two harbors that experienced constant movement. It meant that I could plausibly use it to move the story to Rome. 

Here is where things became interesting for me. As my research continued, I discovered this ancient ship road called the Diolkos. I am sure you’re wondering what that actually is, so I’ll tell you. The Diolkos is a stone road that enabled ships to be moved from the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea on land. It was built on the Isthmus of Corinth and was even used during times of war to speed up naval campaigns.  

Rendering of Priscilla and Aquilla for my Stories

While this made for an interesting opportunity to use as an arc point in the Hope of Inheritance, I ended up using it in another story entirely. I am building an entire world for my historical fiction stories, after all. The Diolkos became a connective link between stories. This alone gave me reason to use Corinth, but the research continued. The city was a place where a fountain of ideas, religions, and yes, even temptations collided. 

Knowing all this only confirmed what I already knew: Corinth had value, and it was worth it to research more. These ideas had already shaped a good portion of Paul’s purpose in writing 1st and 2nd Corinthians, and there is relative proof that he wrote to them more than twice throughout his ministry. When you add in the stories of figures like Priscilla and Aquilla, Apollos, and others, the connective ideas for The World of Kedoshim become something more. 

Some historical records and scriptures already clearly document stories about these figures and others, but these stories also reveal that Corinth became a city of refugees. Those coming from Rome after Emperor Claudius banished them found a renowned purpose and opportunity to live their desired lives again. But you are probably asking yourself, "When is he going to get to the historical aspects?”

How about Nero’s attempt to build a canal in 67 AD? It was meant to be built along the Isthmus of Corinth. Yep, that historical marvel I was talking about earlier could have been destroyed completely. I’ll save you the wait; his project failed less than a year after Nero struck the first rock with his personal pickaxe. Why? 

Well, Nero killed himself shortly after the project began, and when his successor took the throne, the project never got picked back up. It was a good thing, too, because Nero had already shipped around 6,000 Judean prisoners of war to the city to build the canal.  

Map of the Isthmus of Corinth

Access to the Isthmus of Corinth positioned the city as a towering connection to the rest of the world. It was a beacon of power and wealth in a world overshadowed by fear of Rome. The city was renowned for its luxury and prestige. Nero knew this and wanted the power to build his canal there. When Nero abandoned the project, its failure significantly contributed to the rebellion that followed during the Great Jewish Revolt, which led to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Now, I don’t capture all of this in my stories, but the history is there, and it matters. Corinth’s history teaches us that empires rise, but they also crumble and fall. It teaches us that even during global tribulation, victories don’t always happen in big and flashy ways. Sometimes, they come in failed attempts to build a canal or a stone path that carries ships from one sea to another. 

In a fractured world, Corinth stood as a safe harbor for those Rome tried to destroy. It was a city saturated in darkness, but hope still rises in places with broken histories. I do my best to illustrate that in my stories, not because it’s a great plot point, but because history matters, and so does what it struggles to teach us all. 

Other cities teach us similar lessons, and next month we are heading to Colossae, a city that holds a special place in my heart. It’s where my stories began. But what about you? Is there a place in history that has that honor for you? Where does your story begin?

See you in the pages, 

M.J.E.

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is married and has three wonderful children who bring him immense joy and inspiration. One of his favorite things to do with them is to share stories they can someday learn from. When writing a story, he aspires to minister to others with love, equip them with encouragement, and use the gift God has given him as a writer to help readers experience God in a real and meaningful way.

Find Matthew on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, BookBub, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

My Newest Biblical Fiction Novel, The Hope of Inheritance, came out on Father's Day and has received a ChristLit Book Award for excellence in Christian Literature. Grab it via Amazon. If you enjoy it, please let me know by posting a review.

One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors.

Together, their Message will speak to Many.

The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is, until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach. 

The message has always been clear: The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering.