The Ephesus Scroll by Ben Chenoweth

Author:Ben Chenoweth [Chenoweth, Ben]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: revelation, interpretation, timelines
Publisher: Ben Chenoweth
Published: 2017-08-12T00:00:00+00:00

Between Pergamum and Thyatira – July, AD 93

Loukas and his friends set off from Pergamum as soon as it was light. They had been staying in a small room of one of the richer members of the church. This man, Terlios by name, operated a vineyard not far from the walls of the city. So as soon as the gates were opened, Loukas, Hermas and Artemas climbed up onto Terlios’ wagon with the chief steward of the vineyard and headed through the gates of Pergamum to all intents and purposes Terlios’ vineyard workers. Thus disguised they went completely unnoticed by the Roman guard.

Once the wagon arrived at the vineyard, they waved farewell to the steward – also a member of the church – and set off in the direction of Thyatira. They had a good way to go before night fell, so they set off cheerfully enough along the wide and well-made Roman road. Loukas walked a little ahead of the other two. He was lost in his thoughts, pondering the varying reactions of people to the scroll of Ioanneis. He had been saddened by the reaction of the Nicolaitans but not surprised. After all, these people were only trying to find a way through the difficult times. It was just unfortunate that the way they had settled on completely compromised their faith in Iēsus. But on the other hand there were people like Terlios: prepared to uphold his belief in the ultimate lordship of Iēsus to the exclusion of all others, especially an upstart human with divine pretensions. Terlios would not compromise. He was prepared to die if the Romans so chose to punish him for refusing to offer worship to Domitianus.

Thinking about Terlios reminded Loukas of his father. He wondered briefly how he was coping with the mammoth task of organising trade between fellow Christians unable to trade using the normal channels. Suddenly, he wished he was back in Ephesus, helping his father in the work, able to encourage his family through the persecution to come.

And Iounia. How he missed her! Picturing her brought a smile to his face and tears to his eyes.

“Halt!”

The voice was harsh and commanding. With a start, Loukas realised he had walked straight into a Roman patrol. He had been so lost in his reverie that he had not been keeping much of an eye out for potential trouble. As he turned to his friends he became aware that they were not there: he was on his own and he was carrying the scroll.

“Who are you and where are you from?” The leader of the patrol was a burly man with dark bushy eyebrows. He looked as though he had seen much fighting, with noticeable facial scars.

“Please, sir, my name is Loukas and I am from Ephesus.” Again, Loukas figured it was safest to stick with the truth as much as possible.

“Really?” the man answered with a sneer. “You are a long way from home then. This road will neither lead you to

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