Sardis to Laodicea and Hierapolis

One of the seven churches of Revelation, Sardis was an important community along the trade route connecting Pergamon and Laodicea. From Sardis, it was a fairly short journey (85 miles, 138 km to Laodicea) to the trio of communities featuring Laodicea, Hierapolis and Colossae. Christianity was growing in the area, but struggling. Some believers faced persecution, while others were losing their fight with compromise. Sardis and Laodicea received two of the harshest letters in Revelation 2-3. This video ends with footage from the hills of Hierapolis, covered with mineral deposits. The disciple Philip is said to have ministered and been martyred in Hierapolis.