The Name of the Star Is Called Wormwood

June 11, 2025

This morning while studying Revelation 8 for our Bible study tonight, I was giving attention to verses 10-11: “The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.” Every passage has a context. Previously John saw the protection and care of those who have “the seal of the living God” (Rev. 7). Their prayers ascend “before God” and are heard (8:1-5). Here in our text (ch. 8) the imagery of trumpets sounding warning of judgments from God against those (rebellious) who “dwell on the earth” (8:13).

What does this imagery of wormwood portray? The text itself is helpful: “because they were made bitter” (8:11). Here is punishment/divine judgment which would be very bitter to those experiencing it. Further, the book will show that these warnings were the prelude of more (and worse) to come.

Wormwood in Jordan. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

“Several plants in Palestine within the genus Artemisia, all of which are bitter in taste. Several species and varieties grow in Palestine, but those mentioned in the Bible are most likely Artemisia herba alba Asso, A. Judaica L., or A. absinthium” (ISBE, Vol. 4, p. 1117).

Another view of Wormwood in the country of Jordan. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

“Several species of artemisia grow in Palestine. The common wormwood is Artemisia Absinthium. The name always implies wormwood or something more bitter than gall. The genus artemisia belongs to the natural order Compositæ.” (Balfour, J. H. The Plants of the Bible, p. 246).

Close-up shot of the biblical Wormwood shrub. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

Consider the biblical references to wormwood, where its bitter, unpleasant character is alluded to.

  • Deut. 29:18: Moses warned Israel about a root bearing bitterness (see NIV: “bitter poison”): “Deuteronomy 29:18 “so that there will not be among you a man or woman, or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of those nations; that there will not be among you a root bearing poisonous fruit and wormwood.
  • The young man is warned against the adulterous woman in Prov. 5:4: “But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.”
  • Jeremiah warned God’s apostate people in Jerusalem, “therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink” (Jer. 9:15).
  • Later, Jeremiah wrote about his personal struggle as he witnessed the wrath of God upon Jerusalem by Babylon: “He has filled me with bitterness, He has made me drunk with wormwood” (Lam. 3:15). And he implores God, “Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness” (Lam. 3:19).
  • The prophet Amos rebuked the northern kingdom of Israel, describing them with the words, “For those who turn justice into wormwood And cast righteousness down to the earth” (Amos 5:7). And again, “Do horses run on rocks? Or does one plow them with oxen? Yet you have turned justice into poison And the fruit of righteousness into wormwood” (Amos 6:12).

The book of Revelation is filled with Old Testament allusions. These verses help provide the background for the imagery of wormwood in Revelation 8:11.

Leave a Comment » | Bible History and Geography, Bible Study, Biblical Interpretation, Difficult Passages, Floral, Jordan, New Testament, Old Testament, photography, Seven Churches, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Leon Mauldin

The Persian Royal Road to Sardis

January 16, 2025

As one studies the biblical text, such as the letter to the church at Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6), one of the Seven Churches of Asia addressed in the book of Revelation, it is helpful to know somewhat of the conditions in which those first century Christians lived.

The city of Sardis has a rich history in many ways. This post will deal with just one: the Royal Road. Cyrus the Great (r. 559-529 BC) was the founder of the Persian Empire following his conquering of the Babylonian Empire. Cambyses II succeeded him (r. 529-522 BC), whose successor was Darius (r.521-486 BC). (This is the king who was defeated in 490 BC at the battle of Marathon).

But scholars make the case that his great achievement was his construction of the Royal Road, which extended from the capitol of Susa to Sardis:

Darius is perhaps best remembered for instituting an advanced highway system throughout the empire, a route traditionally called the “Persian Royal Road.” According to Herodotus, the “father of history,” this roadway stretched from Susa (in Elam) to Sardis (in Lydia) and was comprised of a total of 111 intermediate resting-stages, passing through some six Persian provinces, and requiring a total of 90 days to travel the entire course of approximately 1,685 miles. Herodotus adds that another three days were required to journey from Sardis to the coast at Ephesus, from which some scholars have deduced that the “Royal Road” may have extended as far as the Aegean coast. At its other end, a road continued from Susa that ran to Persepolis and beyond.

Beitzel, B. J. (2009). The New Moody Atlas of the Bible (p. 206). Moody Publishers.

The following map depicts this route:

Map shows route of Royal Road from Persian capital at Susa westward to Sardis. Map courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

This linkage from the capital to Sardis “located Sardis on a major trade and communications route that persisted into the Roman period, positioning the city for ongoing prosperity” (deSilva, Lexham Geographic Commentary, p. 667).

Royal Road at Sardis. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

Benefits of this road:

  • Official communication. The historian Herodotus said of the Persian royal messengers:

Now there is nothing mortal that accomplishes a course more swiftly than do these messengers, by the Persians’ skillful contrivance. It is said that as many days as there are in the whole journey, so many are the men and horses that stand along the road, each horse and man at the interval of a day’s journey. These are stopped neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from accomplishing their appointed course with all speed.

Herodotus. (1920). Herodotus, with an English translation by A. D. Godley (A. D. Godley, Ed.). Harvard University Press.

  • Administration.
  • Rapid Troop Movemnt.
  • Trace and commerce.

In later history, Alexander the Great would make use of the Royal Road in his conquest of Persia. Dr. Mark Wison notes, “After Alexander the Great captured the city from the Persians in 334 BC, Sardis served as the western capital of the Selucid Empire nor nearly a hundred years (281-190 BC)” (Biblical Turkey, p. 290). In 133 BC Sardis became a part of the Roman province of Asia.

God had his people in Sardis. The church at Sardis was the 5th of the Seven Churches addressed by John (Rev. 1-3).

1 Comment | Archaeology, Bible History and Geography, Bible Places, Bible Study, New Testament, Old Testament, Persian Empire, photography, Roman Empire, Seven Churches, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Leon Mauldin

Sardis, the Dead Church with a Name

January 14, 2025

Sardis is the fifth of the seven churches addressed by Jesus through the Apostle John, while John was on the Island of Patmos. In summary, Jesus’ assessment of the church there was, “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (Rev. 3:2).

Archaeologists have uncovered and identified many structures and other items of interest at Sardis, including a Byzantine chapel in the southeast corner of the temple of Artemis.

Byzantine Church located at SE corner of temple of Artemis at Sardis. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

Dr. Mark Wilson writes, “The inner western chapel dates to the 4C [4th century AD] and is one of the earliest preserved churches in western Asia Minor; the larger, outer apse dates to the 6C” (Biblical Turkey, A Guide to the cJewish and Christain sites of Asia Minor, p. 291).

The temple of Artemis, whose partial ruins are in view here, would have been in use when those Christians of the 1st century AD at Sardis received the letter (Rev. 3:1-6). It’s hard to overemphasize how pervasive idolatry was in the biblical world!

We have previously posted several articles on Sardis: click here here here and here.

Click image for larger view.

Leave a Comment » | Archaeology, Bible History and Geography, Bible Places, Bible Study, gods, Idolatry, New Testament, photography, Seven Churches, Temples, Travel, Turkey, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Leon Mauldin

Pergamum: The Church that Lived Next Door to Satan

January 11, 2025

In our local congregation we are continuing to explore the Seven Churches of Asia, of Revelation 2-3. John the Apostle received the Revelation on the Island of Patmos.

Island of Patmos, where John received the Revelation. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

While we cannot know the exact spot on the island where John was when he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” and told, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia” (Rev. 1:10-11), visitors to Patmos are shown a “traditional” location, known as the “Cave of the Apocalypse.”

Here is a photo I took inside the cave:

Inside the traditional cave where John received the Revelation (ἀποκάλυψις). Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

The church at Pergamum lived “where Satan’s throne is . . . where Satan dwells (Rev. 2:13). There have been many suggestions as to the basis of this designation. Pergamum was known for its worship of Asklepios (god of healing), Serapis, Athena, Dionysus, Demeter, as well as being a center for the Imperial Cult (emperor worship).

David A. DeSilva suggests: “[T]he distinctive altar of Zeus on the brow of the acropolis may have been more in John’s view” (The Social and Geographical World of Pergamum (Revelation 1:11; 2:12–17). In B. J. Beitzel, J. Parks, & D. Mangum (Eds.), Lexham Geographic Commentary on Acts through Revelation (p. 638). Lexham Press).

Foundation of the Altar of Zeus. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

The altar of Zeus, located on the southern crest of the acropolis, was without a doubt the most distinctive and most prominently visible structure overlooking Pergamum. Construction was begun in the early- to mid-second century BC under Eumenes II, possibly in connection with his victory over the invading Galatians. The massive throne-like altar complex resembled an open-air temple, complete with columned porticoes surrounding its staircase and inner courtyards. The whole had a footprint of about 120 by 110 feet (36.5 × 33.5 m), and it rose to a height of 40 feet (12 m). The sacrificial altar proper sat within the inner courtyard, which was approached by a wide, grand staircase. The reconstructed monument now sits in the Pergamum Museum in Berlin. The altar was adorned with nearly four hundred linear feet (122 m) of frieze, its scenes carved about seven feet (2 m) high. The frieze around the structure’s perimeter depicted the mythological battle between the Olympian gods and the giants, with Zeus and Athena prominently featured on the front side. An interior frieze told the story of Telephus, the mythic founder of Pergamum. An L-shaped agora or forum was set just below the precincts of the altar of Zeus. The identification of some of the buildings as warehouses makes it likely that this particular forum served as a commercial center in the old city.

deSilva, D. A. (2019). The Social and Geographical World of Pergamum (Revelation 1:11; 2:12–17). In B. J. Beitzel, J. Parks, & D. Mangum (Eds.), Lexham Geographic Commentary on Acts through Revelation (pp. 645–646). Lexham Press.

Here is a photo of the acropolis of Pergamum, with the Asklepion at our back. Sometimes it gets windy on our tours (as my granddaughter can attest).

Acropolis of Pergamum rises in the background. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

Click photos for larger view.

Leave a Comment » | Archaeology, Bible History and Geography, Bible Places, Bible Study, Biblical Interpretation, Greek Islands, Idolatry, New Testament, photography, Roman Empire, Seven Churches, Tours, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Leon Mauldin

The River of the Water of Life–Illustration from Perga

July 3, 2020

The closing chapters of the book of Revelation describe for the reader “how beautiful heaven must be.” That heavenly, holy city, new Jerusalem where God “shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:3-4, NASB). Moving on to the final chapter, John writes, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life– water as clear as crystal– pouring out from the throne of God and of the Lamb, flowing down the middle of the city’s main street. On each side of the river is the tree of life producing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month of the year. Its leaves are for the healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:1-2, NET Bible).

What was lost in the beginning in the Garden of Eden, access to the Tree of Life, is regained in heaven! Oh how I want to be among that number there in that beautiful city! The Tree of Life, along with the Water of Life! This is depicting eternal life, the people of God at home with God.

In the text above, the imagery of a river of water flowing through the main street of the city brings to mind the layout of the city of Perga of Pamphylia (today southern Turkey) mentioned in the context of Paul’s First Journey (Acts 13:13-14; 14:25).

Watercourse in Perga. The water flowed down the main street of the city in Roman times. Photo © Leon Mauldin.

Our photo shows how Perga’s water supply flowed down the main street of the city, with the street on either side, to the sides of which various shops and businesses would have been located (where the standing columns can be seen). Images such as these help us to understand and visualize the description employed in our text. The two large structure at the far end are towers that stood at the gate that go back to the Hellenistic period, to the time of Alexander the Great.

To the side of the street a number of ancient columns are still standing.

Ionic column standing to the side of the street in Perga. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

We took this photo of an Ionic column, which was one of the very popular styles in Greek and Roman architecture.  This is one of many still to be seen among the remains of Perga.

Click on images for larger view.

 

3 Comments | Archaeology, Bible History and Geography, Biblical Interpretation, New Testament, Pamphylia, photography, Travel, Turkey | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Leon Mauldin

“The Alpha and The Omega” and Merisms

August 31, 2013

In Revelation 22:13, Jesus said, “”I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation is filled with allusions to the Old Testament. Isaiah furnishes the background for Yahweh’s declaration that He is the “first and the last” (41:4; 44:6; 48:12). What is said of the Father is here affirmed of the Son, as He shares the divine essence. Consider the first part of the verse.

“I Am The Α

and The Ω.”  

 

What does this mean? Beale and McDonough observes:

These divine titles are figures of speech (merisms) in which the figurative point is to mention the opposite poles of something on order to emphasize the totality of all that lies between. The use of the first and last letters of the alphabet was typical of the ancients in expressing merisms. So the Jews could say that the law should be kept from aleph to tau. (Commentary on the NT Use of the OT, p.1055). 

The concept is that of totality, completeness. Interestingly, the blessings for obedience are listed in Leviticus 26:3-8, and begin with aleph (first letter of the Hebrew alphebet) and conclude with tau (last letter).

Wikipedia has some helpful info on merisms:

In rhetoric a merism is the combination of two contrasting words, to refer to an entirety. For example, when we mean to say that someone searched thoroughly, everywhere, we often say that someone “searched high and low”. You also say “ladies and gentlemen” and the “young and old”.

Merisms also figure in a number of familiar English expressions. The phrase lock, stock, and barrel originally referred to the parts of a gun, by counting off several of its more conspicuous parts; it has come to refer to the whole of anything that has constituent parts. Basically, and everything in between – all encompassing.

In biology, a merism is a repetition of similar parts in the structure of an organism (Bateson 1894). Such features are called meristic characters, and the study of such characters is called meristics.

Merisms are conspicuous features of Biblical poetry. For example, in Genesis 1:1, when God creates “the heavens and the earth” (KJV), the two parts combine to indicate that God created the whole universe. Similarly, in Psalm 139, the psalmist declares that God knows “my downsitting and mine uprising”, indicating that God knows all the psalmist’s actions. 



Greek Letters Alpha and Omega. commons.wikipedia.org
Greek Letters Alpha and Omega. commons.wikipedia.org


Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet; omega is the last. We would say, “Everything from A to Z. What is affirmed is that everything is summed up in Jesus. He is the beginning of creation, responsible for its origin. He is the end, and will bring it to a conclusion. He is what all history is about from beginning to end. Contextually in Revelation, it was not ultimately the Roman Emperors who ruled, but rather Jesus is KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Rev.19:16).


Romans 11:36: “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”


Ephesians 1:9-10: “He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.”


Col. 1:15-20: 




15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.




What is meant by Jesus’ being the Alpha and Omega? He is Everything! Observe:


1. Jesus’ absolute Deity is affirmed.


2. He is Creator.


3. He is Redeemer.


4. He is Sovereign Ruler over all.


5. He is Judge.


“I have found a friend in Jesus,


He’s everything to me,


He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;


He’s the Lily of the Valley, in Him Alone I see


All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole. “

									


				

				 2 Comments				|  Bible Study, New Testament, Uncategorized				 | Tagged: , 				 |  Permalink

 Posted by Leon Mauldin				

			

			

		
			

				
Philadelphia, the Church with an Open Door

				June 14, 2010



				

					
We continue to give attention to the cities of the Seven Churches addressed in Rev. 2-3, looking now at Philadelphia, modern Alasehir.  The churches at Philadelphia and Smyrna were both commended by the Lord; there were no charges of wrong doing against either congregation.


Further, Jesus said, “Look! I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut” (Rev.3:8).  Many biblical students believe that the “open door” refers to Philadelphia’s location, on the great trade-route from Smyrna to the highlands of Phrygia.  Their faithfulness would be rewarded by further opportunities to proclaim the gospel to the many merchants and other travelers passing through this strategic site.


Our photo below shows view from the lower city, looking between Byzantine columns (Church of St. John), looking up to the acropolis.


Philadelphia. View from lower city facing acropolis.  Photo by Leon Mauldin.


Very little excavation has been done in Philadelphia.  In photo below you can see some of the excavated area.


Limited excavations at Philidelphia.  Photo by Leon Mauldin.


From the acropolis looking down one has a good view of Philadelphia.


Philadelphia modern Alasehir. View from acropolis.  Photo by Leon Mauldin.


Click on image for larger view.  More to come on Philadelphia.

									


				

				 Leave a Comment »				|  Archaeology, Bible History and Geography, Bible Study				 | Tagged: , , , 				 |  Permalink

 Posted by Leon Mauldin				

			

			

		
			

				
The Island of Patmos

				March 19, 2010



				

					
Greetings from Athens, Greece.  Our ship arrived at the Athens Piraeus Habor this morning, having visited the islands of Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini.  On Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey, when he left Beroea because of persecution, Luke writes:  “Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there” (Acts 17:14, ESV). Paul apparently sailed from Beroea to Athens, and likely would have used the large Piraeus Harbor.


In our travels, our group has seen the cities of the Seven Churches of Rev. 2-3: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. It was the island of Patmos from which John wrote the book of Revelation, having been exiled there because of his faith.  He was exiled on the island of Patmos “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (1:9).


Pictured here below is Patmos. You can see the harbor of Scala in the center.


Island of Patmos.  Photo by Leon Mauldin


Today we visited Mars Hill, the acropolis, and the Athens Museum.  Tomorrow we are to go to Corinth.  I did not have a workable system while on the Med. cruise, so I am a bit behind on the blog.  I plan to post some more photos of the sites of the Seven Churches, and other sites in Turkey, as well as some on Athens and Corinth, so continue to check the blog.

									


				

				 Leave a Comment »				|  Uncategorized				 | Tagged: , , 				 |  Permalink

 Posted by Leon Mauldin