Hi, Sisters & Brothers,

One of my fascinations has become my principle hobby, I frequent post breaking news stories from the world of modern archeology. Over the last year, I've written about the amazing results of four different secular university digs.

The finds each took place in geographic order from west to east across Asia Minor. The reason this is so important is tied up with the failure of witness of the the church in those cities. Only one city remains without a major academic discovery connected to it's downfall and it's sin; Philadelphia.

Seven months ago, I broke the story about "the Gates of Hell" and the ancient temple located in Heiropolis. It's just outside of Pergamon, where Satan's seat is said to be located. Five months ago, it was Ephesus and the Temple of Artimis.

Last week, I brought you the story of King Croeses, the Lydian leader whose name became a byword for people who are wealthy and throw their money around. The capitol city of Lydia was the ancient City of Sardis of Revelation 3.

A recent archeological dig uncovered a curious pagan fertility altar inside a covered bowl. The bowl contained a gold coin with the homemade image of Emperor Nero on it's face, tools to alter the image and a hollowed out chicken egg. According to Professors, this was a pagan household shrine. The people who lived in this stately home were probably killed in an enormous earthquake in 17AD. It's fairly obvious why they had buried this shrine in the dirt just under the floor of the home, it was to guarantee the continued financial prosperity of the family and all that dwelt in the home.

Taken together with the letter to the Angel of the Church in Sardis, the Lord finds their greed intolerable. Unless they repent, He promised to send a thief would come (as the earthquake did) and steal their treasure away. Do not be proud of your wealth, or pile up treasure in this life it won't do you any good in heaven.

                                                                            Agape,

                                                                                    Michael Curtiss