After taking 2,500 people on walking tours of the Land of the Book, we are now capturing all those places and lessons into one LAND OF THE BOOK online STUDY TOUR.
Here is my overview of Rome to a small group tour we led last year. Walking through ancient Rome using our Bibles as our guidebook was amazing.
Here were the Top Biblical Sites we visited:
1–Ara Pacis: Pax Romana the 200 years of Rome enforced Global trade, travel, language, peace, and roads. Lesson: God used Augustus’ Empire to fulfill His “Fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4-5); & Birth of Christ (Luke 2:1-3);
2–St. Peters: Peter’s martyrdom at Nero’s Circus (chariot race course); Lesson: Trust Jesus’ plan, it is best even if painful John 21.
3–Theater Marcellus: Paul’s 2 years in Acts 28:16; near Jewish quarter, evangelized and finished writing Prison Epistles;
4–Basilica Julia: Paul’s 2 trials; Acts 25:12 appealed to Caesar Nero; Acts 28:16 waited for trial; probably Luke and Acts were part of Paul’s legal documents for the hearing;
5–Mamertine Prison: Paul’s Final Prison awaiting death; Lesson: God wants us each to finish the course He has designed for us.
6–Trajan’s Market: The launch of province-wide persecution by Trajan; Pliny wrote letters as governor to Trajan on why Christians were persecuted; Lesson: Don’t let fear rule, live by faith in Christ over fears Rev. 2:10a.
7–Pantheon: 2 Th. 2:4; beware deception & antichrist’s plan; Lesson: Deception and false worship have always been Satan’s plan for humanity.
8–Domitian’s Stadium (Piazza Navona): Reminds us that Domitian asked for worship and built magnificent palaces. Lesson: God protects and cares for us where ever we are.
9–Hadrian’s Tomb (Castel Sant’Angelo): Hadrian tried to destroy Christ’s Tomb. Lesson: You can run, and hide but never escape God’s judgment.
10–Circus Maximus: The largest chariot race course of the Empire, built at the foot of Caesar’s palace. Lesson: When it was used for persecution, as Rev. 2:10b, and 1 Peter 4:12 say—it becamse the place of the “fiery trials”.
11–Domus Augustus: with 100’ ceilings in the dining room moving floor, stars painted, gold leaf, and perfumed petals. Lesson: Lk. 9:58 reminds us Jesus had no place to lay His head; while the Roman Emperors had it all in this life, but not the next.
12–Arch Constantine: The Arch to honor Constantine’s victory, following Diocletian’s greatest persecutions.
13–Arch Titus: Mt. 24:2 “not one stone” prophecy the most vivid proof of Christ’s words fulfilled; Mk. 13; Lk. 21; AD 70 and Daniel 9; Lesson: God’s unstoppable plan for the end of the world.
14–Colosseo: The treasures looted from Jerusalem by Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian, his sons (67-70 AD) paid for the Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater) construction from AD 72-80. Lesson: Col. 3:1-2; What a reminder of the ultimate distraction and our call to reverence
15–Domus Aurea: Nero’s final 300-acre building project, a city within Rome built just for his pleasure. Bathed in light, covered with gold and precious stones, with no expense spared for lakes, gardens, and entertainment. Lesson: 1 Tim. 6:6-10; flee consuming desire for prosperity @Nero’s Golden House
16–Piazza Del Popolo: Mat. 16:26; Lesson: gaining the world but losing your soul @Nero’s haunted tomb
17–San Clemente: Remembering the martyr’s ashes and bones carried through the drainage tunnels to the catacombs under this church were buried; Lesson: Rev. 12:11, no fear in death, no guilt in life.
18–Diocletians Baths: Diocletian rounded up every pastor; destroyed every church; and destroyed every complete copy of the Bible. Lesson: Mt. 16:18a; Jn. 12:24-25; this was the closest to extinction; die and bring more fruit
19–Lateran: Constantine’s home; Obelisk of Moses’ day. Lesson: Gal. 2:16; How Romanism became a deadly works religion;
20–Scala Sancta: John 18:28-38; Pilate’s steps when he came face to face with Jesus, but turned away; Lesson: Luther & justification by faith alone
21–Appian Way & Catacombs: Regina Viarum, the queen of the global Roman road system; Quo Vadis; Lesson: God making a way for Mt. 28:18-20’s Gospel to travel Roman Roads; going everywhere with the Gospel.
22–Aqueduct Claudius: God let Claudius get distracted by building aqueducts and sending legions to conquer Britain.
23–Saint Prisca Church: Remembering the exemplary lives of Priscilla and Aquila mentioned six times in the NT. Lesson: The way we all should be for the Lord—Always hosting churches, discipling saints, and available for ministry.
This lesson is just one of over 200 available lessons for all the members who join the LAND OF THE BOOK channel. You can access weekly video releases over the next year totaling 50+ EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS featuring weekly in-depth Bible Study lessons with John & Bonnie.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVK6dN-9kLDnQhYBFuES09A/join
https://youtu.be/RZK1niHPJ2g
