Participants:
Series Code: MW
Program Code: MW000034
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00:01 The temple to the Sun God is in ruins.
00:03 Ruins, ruins, ruins, everywhere. 00:06 That was the life of Lydia also. 00:08 Her life was in ruins. 00:09 There was nothing in her life that was to be desired. 00:13 But then one day she found the true God. 00:16 She found Jesus Christ. 00:17 And now as a child of a king, 00:20 she has gone from rags to riches. 00:22 Stay tuned for rest of the story. 01:09 The City of Hierapolis which was founded on this site 01:12 in the second century B.C. 01:14 differs from all other ancient cities. 01:16 It was built not on earth or rock, 01:19 but on solid limestone layers formed by mineral water 01:22 that flowed for centuries over this raised level plateau. 01:28 We're in area called Pamukkale, 01:29 literally, cotton castle. 01:32 The water comes down, deposits the limestone over the cliffs. 01:35 It's so massive, so big, and so beautiful. 01:38 It's probably more than the area of concentrated limestone 01:41 in Yellowstone National Park. It's huge. 01:45 But this is also famous for healing. 01:47 People come from all over the world. 01:49 They did back in the Bible times. 01:51 Came from everywhere for healing, 01:52 for psoriasis, for skin troubles, 01:54 for internal troubles. 01:56 It seemed like whatever ailed them, 01:58 they thought this waters would heal them. 02:05 People come from all over the world 02:07 to enjoy the waters here at Hierapolis. 02:10 Feels very good. 02:12 It's also anciently connected with Laodicea 02:15 which I'm told is right over there 02:17 on the lower level of mountains. 02:19 But earthquakes, time apparently have diverted water 02:24 which no longer flows into that area. 02:29 These pumps were installed many centuries 02:32 past the third century B.C. 02:34 when people actually started living here. 02:36 The pool is spectacular. 02:38 The spring, gorgeous as the-- 02:39 the bubbles come up from the bottom. 02:42 I can even see a column, an old colonnade down in the pool. 02:59 Lydia is a Bible name. 03:00 Did your family name you for the biblical Lydia? 03:05 Speaking in foreign language 03:09 Well, my real name comes from Poland and it's Yasia. 03:13 Speaking in foreign language 03:15 But here in Ukrainian, they translated it to Lydia 03:19 just so it's easier to say. 03:22 Speaking in foreign language 03:25 That's very interesting. 03:27 Thank you for sharing that. 03:28 Tell me about your early life, 03:30 your childhood, if you don't mind. 03:32 Speaking in foreign language 03:35 I grew up in the village city of Chernobyl. 03:41 My family was separated so I lived in the boarding school. 03:46 Speaking in foreign language 03:49 My dad lived in Poland and my mother lived in Ukraine. 03:54 Speaking in foreign language 03:55 My childhood wasn't easy. 03:59 In America, if you go to boarding school 04:01 it means that you have money, 04:02 but I understand that's just the opposite with 04:05 what you're saying. 04:06 Speaking in foreign language 04:07 So did you have to pay or--at boarding school 04:09 or did you work or-- 04:11 Tell me how that worked out. 04:13 The government paid for it 04:15 because my mother was a handicap 04:17 and was suffering with tuberculosis. 04:21 So you had difficulties from many levels. 04:23 Mother an invalid, and--and father, 04:26 it was hard to get work, and several children 04:30 I guess in your family? Yes. 04:33 So as you got a little older, 04:34 how did you survive and what did you do? 04:37 Speaking in foreign language 04:39 My mother died very early. 04:41 I was only 16 years old. 04:45 Speaking in foreign language 04:47 So our father took care of us, 04:50 but he wasn't making enough to feed three kids. 04:53 Speaking in foreign language 04:55 So I had to drop out of seventh grade 04:58 and start working at a warehouse 05:01 to support my younger sister while she was going to school. 05:06 And then later on, what kind of jobs did you have? 05:09 Speaking in foreign language 05:11 I live in the same village. 05:13 I later got married. 05:15 We had two children. 05:17 The man was an alcoholic. 05:19 I decide to divorce him. 05:21 And then I live my life like that. 05:24 Did religion play a part in your family 05:27 at all, as you were growing up? 05:28 Speaking in foreign language 05:30 My mom told me stories about Christ. 05:33 Speaking in foreign language 05:35 So that's how the seed of God got planted in me. 05:40 Speaking in foreign language 05:41 You say it was a small part. 05:44 Did you look for God at all, or you were so busy working, 05:48 you didn't have time for God? 05:50 Speaking in foreign language 05:55 I prayed. 05:57 Speaking in foreign language 06:03 I was always looking for God, because life was so hard. 06:07 Speaking in foreign language 06:13 Did you attend church? 06:15 Speaking in foreign language 06:19 I started going to an Orthodox Church 06:22 in our village. 06:24 Tell me about those experiences. 06:25 Did they help you in your life? 06:28 Speaking in foreign language 06:31 God did help me, but during that time I didn't notice it. 06:36 Speaking in foreign language 06:43 And when I went to church, I didn't understand much. 06:47 Speaking in foreign language 06:50 So our viewers realize or know this, 06:55 they actually do everything in some ancient language, right? 06:58 So the worshippers really don't know 07:01 what's happening in many times? 07:03 I didn't understand anything. 07:10 Hierapolis can mean Sacred City. 07:13 And according to Stephanus of Byzantium, 07:15 the city was given this name 07:17 because of the large number of temples it contained. 07:20 Up to the reign of Augustus, 07:22 the city was officially described 07:23 on coins as Hierapolis, the City of Temples. 07:36 In the middle of the second century B.C., 07:38 the Seleucians founded the City of Laodicea, 07:41 just across the valley from Hierapolis. 07:44 It seems unlikely 07:45 that they would establish a second city 07:47 in such close proximity to an already existing one. 07:51 It is reasonable to assume 07:53 that Hierapolis was not in existence 07:54 until the last quarter of the second century B.C. 08:03 Later records are chiefly concerned 08:05 with a series of earthquakes. 08:06 The city was devastated by an earthquake 08:09 which took place in 17 A.D., 08:11 during the reign of Tiberius, 08:13 but the most severe of all the earthquakes 08:15 occurred in 60 A.D., 08:17 during the reign of Nero. 08:20 The present appearance of the city 08:21 probably results from the reconstruction 08:24 after this earthquake. 08:26 Earthquakes made a drastic change 08:28 in the temple area here, 08:30 but the power of God made a mighty change 08:32 in the life of Lydia. 08:34 Stay tuned to find out how. 08:37 Here is another story of hope from Adventist World Radio. 08:42 Tong hated his life, always on edge. 08:45 He often found himself angry at the actions of others. 08:48 "I lived under the control of people's words," he says. 08:52 The anger and hopelessness led Tong to wonder 08:55 if anyone would miss him if he killed himself. 08:58 A classmate suggested Tong tune in to Adventist World Radio. 09:02 Listening that night, 09:03 Tong heard for the first time of a God 09:05 who loved him unconditionally. 09:07 "That night I got back my life," he says. 09:11 Tong knows there are many others like him in China 09:14 living in hopelessness, 09:15 believing that no one loves them. 09:17 "I pray they find God soon," he says. 09:20 Jesus will help them to leave the world of sin. 09:26 Adventist World Radio shares the hope of Christ 09:30 with millions of people everyday. 09:32 For more information visit awr.org. 09:41 The city received the much coveted title of Neokoros 09:44 from the Emperor Caracalla. 09:46 This accorded the city certain administrative privileges 09:50 as well as the right of sanctuary. 09:53 Apollo, the chief god of Hierapolis 09:55 was identified with the Phrygian sun God Lairbenus. 09:58 The many deities and temples in the city included 10:01 a number of temples to foreign deities 10:03 such as the Ephesian god Artemis. 10:06 Of the purely Greek gods, the most important was Poseidon, 10:10 who was responsible for earthquakes, 10:12 and Pluto Hades, the God of the underworld. 10:15 The importance of these gods 10:16 can be explained by the frequency of earthquakes 10:19 in the region and the underground gas 10:21 and water containing various minerals and compounds 10:24 which was a characteristic of the region. 10:28 It was through these features 10:29 that Hierapolis won fame in ancient times. 10:32 Various writers of the period 10:34 dwelt on the interesting phenomenon 10:35 known as the Plutonium. 10:39 I'm on the temple stairs of the God Apollo. 10:43 Apollo was known, at least in this area, 10:45 as the god of the sun. 10:47 I say at least in this area, 10:49 because in different places, in different geographic locations 10:53 that tends to change. 10:54 Tamos in one area is the god of the sun. 10:57 In Egypt, Ra, the god of the sun. 11:01 But in this area, the priest for the god of the sun 11:05 had a very interesting way to prove 11:07 that they were really holy, 11:09 that they were really those sent by the sun god 11:12 to minister in this temple. 11:16 They would walk into this location. 11:18 It's since been rolled over 11:20 because it is a dangerous location, 11:22 apparently there are gases. 11:23 They listed here as plutonium. 11:26 Pluto, the god of the underworld. 11:29 The priests would enter into the god of the underworld 11:32 and they would take with them a caged bird. 11:35 They would drop down in this area. 11:37 Hold their breath only people didn't realized 11:40 that they hold their breath for a while 11:41 and the bird would die because there's toxic gases down there. 11:45 I'm told that they could even get cows and different animals 11:48 down there with the priest and again the priest would-- 11:52 knew how to hold his breath, and soon the animal die, 11:55 but the priest would emerge unscathed, 11:58 therefore showing that he was truly holy 12:01 and sent from the sun god. 12:07 Something changed in your life. 12:09 Would you mind sharing that? 12:11 Speaking in foreign language 12:13 Yes, my life changed. 12:14 Speaking in foreign language 12:17 I started loving people. 12:19 Speaking in foreign language 12:23 I was in a stress everyday over others. 12:27 Speaking in foreign language 12:31 How did that happen? 12:33 Speaking in foreign language 12:37 When the U.S.S.R. fell apart, 12:39 my husband left to Moscow for work. 12:42 This was my second husband. 12:46 He bought me a Bible. 12:48 Speaking in foreign language 12:54 I started reading it, but a lot of the script 12:58 didn't make sense to me. 13:00 Why did he buy you that Bible? 13:02 Speaking in foreign language 13:06 We listen to the radio together. 13:09 And during our younger years, 13:11 we were both introduced to Christ. 13:13 Speaking in foreign language 13:20 So we both grew an interest for it. 13:23 Speaking in foreign language 13:26 Was this the A.W.R. program you began listening to on radio? 13:30 Speaking in foreign language 13:31 No, this was all mix, Orthodox, Catholic and so on. 13:36 It was a big mix of different things, 13:39 but I just noticed the word of God as they spoke. 13:44 So the Holy Spirit was working in your heart? 13:47 Speaking in foreign language 13:48 Yes, yes. 13:49 It did it for my husband, made us extremely happy. 13:54 Once you had the Bible in your hands, 13:56 what did it mean to you? 13:58 What happened in your life? Speaking in foreign language 14:01 We didn't have a collection. 14:03 We read the Bible, but we didn't understand it. 14:07 No one tried to explain it to me. 14:09 So later I went to a Baptist Church 14:11 to gain more knowledge for better explanations. 14:16 Speaking in foreign language 14:23 Talking to God didn't work 14:25 and asking questions at church seemed pointless, 14:29 because it seemed like he didn't know the right answer either. 14:34 I was getting curious why the Bible talk about Saturday, 14:38 but here we are celebrating Sunday. 14:41 And I always ask myself that question. 14:44 Speaking in foreign language 14:46 So on your own you studied the Bible 14:48 and you found the question Sunday and Sabbath, 14:50 so you asked the pastor, that's what happened? 14:52 Speaking in foreign language 14:54 Yes, yes, it was like that. 14:57 Speaking in foreign language 15:01 The Baptist told me that Jesus Christ cancelled Saturday. 15:05 Speaking in foreign language 15:11 I told them that this couldn't be true, 15:13 I looked everywhere. There was no way. 15:16 Speaking in foreign language 15:21 Tell me more-- 15:22 Speaking in foreign language 15:27 I couldn't. Speaking in foreign language 15:38 They told me I was incorrect. 15:41 Speaking in foreign language 15:47 I went to a different church, but they didn't help me either. 15:52 Speaking in foreign language 15:58 My husband and I found there is a hope on the radio. 16:02 Speaking in foreign language 16:07 And we start listening. 16:09 Speaking in foreign language 16:20 And they fill my heart with hope. 16:24 Speaking in foreign language 16:29 So you wrote a letter to the A.W.R. studio? 16:32 Tell me more. 16:33 Speaking in foreign language 16:40 We had a written letter. They were asking 16:42 if they would like to stay in contact. 16:46 Speaking in foreign language 16:59 So we start doing homework at home 17:02 and sending all our questions to them. 17:05 Speaking in foreign language 17:07 And what was the answer to the questions? 17:08 Was there a main question burning in your heart 17:11 that was answered? 17:12 Speaking in foreign language 17:14 Yes, that's correct. 17:16 Speaking in foreign language 17:20 Then they give us a local Adventist Church. 17:24 Speaking in foreign language 17:26 But first a pastor came to our home. 17:29 He was nice and very direct. 17:32 Speaking in foreign language 17:35 We ended up going to that Adventist Church 17:38 and we actually got baptized there. 17:44 Various athletic and musical competitions 17:46 were held in Hierapolis as in other ancient cities. 17:50 Under the Empire, crowds flocked to Olympic, 17:52 Phyrian and Actian games similar to those in Greece. 17:57 Strangely enough, there is no trace of a stadium in the city, 18:00 and it is generally thought that the stadium 18:03 must have been located on the level plain below. 18:07 Gladiatorial combats and wild beast shows 18:09 were held in the theatre. 18:12 But Hierapolis was not only 18:14 a centre of excursions and entertainment. 18:17 The city's wealth and importance stemmed 18:18 from the many and varied industrial establishments 18:21 to be found there. 18:22 The inscriptions refer not only to institutions 18:25 such as the wool industry cooperative, 18:28 but also to guilds formed by the dyers, 18:30 fullers, carpet weavers, nail manufacturers, and coppersmiths. 18:35 These were all associated with fully organized institutions 18:39 that were also responsible 18:40 for the care of their member's graves. 18:48 This was the ancient walkway 18:49 that goes to the market out in behind me. 18:52 I'm told in this area even perhaps the Apostle Paul came 18:55 because he had arthritis. 18:58 He may have gone to those pools over there 19:01 and bathed for a while to take care of those old bones. 19:04 But this area is very famous because of its trade roots, 19:07 textiles, its marble quarries and also for its black wool. 19:13 It's an area that was made popular for the bathing, 19:16 for--for many things here. 19:18 Through the radio waves of A.W.R., 19:20 God is reaching people around the world. 19:24 We'd like to offer you an addition of Making Waves. 19:26 It's four of our episodes 19:28 brought to you from around the world. 19:30 God speaking to hearts, 19:32 the hearts of the listeners of A.W.R., exciting stories. 19:35 We hope that you'll share those with friends and neighbors, 19:37 acquaintances, anyone you come in contact with. 19:40 Join us to make waves. 19:41 It's completely free. 19:43 Right now the information's on your screen. 19:47 For your free, no obligation DVD, 19:49 write to Adventist World Radio, 19:51 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, Maryland 19:56 20904 or call 1-866-503-3531 20:03 or logon to www.awr.org/MWDVD. 20:10 Be sure to request offer number 10. 20:13 That number again is 1-866-503-3531. 20:21 Tradition has it that Philip the Apostle 20:24 lived in this area of Hierapolis. 20:27 No, we don't know exactly how long or what he did. 20:29 But again, we do know what he did. 20:32 He apparently witnessed for his faith in Jesus Christ, 20:34 because up on that hill he was crucified. 20:38 We're told that he was actually crucified 20:40 like the Apostle Peter. 20:42 Peter, you see, requested that he was not worthy 20:46 to be crucified like his Lord. 20:47 So he asked to be crucified upside down. 20:50 And that's what we're told was the request of Philip. 20:56 Some people may not realize it, 20:58 but there are two important people in the New Testament 21:00 with the name of Philip, not just one. 21:03 Philip the Evangelist, 21:05 and Philip the Apostle. That's right, 21:07 they are not the same person. 21:09 Philip the Evangelist, was one of the seven deacons 21:12 chosen to serve the fledgling church. 21:15 It was this Philip who baptized the Ethiopian in the river 21:18 and was then spirited away to another location by the Lord. 21:23 Jesus found the other Philip in Galilee and said to him, 21:26 "Follow me." He answered that call 21:29 and although in temperament 21:31 he was very close to doubting Thomas. 21:33 He apparently gained faith and courage 21:35 to proclaim the gospel with power, 21:37 because tradition holds that through a miraculous healing 21:41 and his preaching, Philip converted the wife 21:44 of the proconsul of the city. 21:46 This enraged the proconsul, and he had Philip 21:48 and his companions tortured. 21:50 Philip and Bartholomew were then crucified upside down, 21:54 and Philip preached from his cross. 21:57 As a result of his preaching 21:58 the crowd released Bartholomew from his cross, 22:01 but Philip insisted that they not release him, 22:04 and he died on the cross. 22:06 His remains were later placed in Constantinople, 22:09 were they were transported to Cyprus 22:11 after the conquest of the City in 1204. 22:17 Finally in 1219, there was a devastating earthquake 22:20 and Hierapolis was never reconstructed. 22:22 It was gradually abandoned. 22:27 So God led you step by step from a little girl 22:30 to--to think about God to one church, then another church, 22:35 and really another church, and finally the A.W.R. program, 22:39 and now you're a happy person and you're baptized. 22:41 Is that a good summation? 22:44 Speaking in foreign language 22:46 Yes, of course, I'm very happy. 22:49 And I want people to find Him like I found God. 22:53 Speaking in foreign language 22:57 If your heart is leading to Him, follow your heart. 23:01 Speaking in foreign language 23:08 Don't just look at what people are doing. 23:11 Find your own answers in the Bible. 23:14 Speaking in foreign language 23:16 This is the church that we were always looking for. 23:20 Speaking in foreign language 23:24 We found our church. 23:25 It brought joy to my heart. 23:28 Do you tell anybody else about Jesus Christ? 23:31 Do you share that or do you share A.W.R. with anyone? 23:34 Speaking in foreign language 23:40 Of course, you can't keep this feeling in. 23:42 Speaking in foreign language 23:47 Your mind wants to tell everyone. 23:50 Speaking in foreign language 23:56 Right now you have an opportunity to tell people 23:58 perhaps in many, many places 24:01 that are going through the things you went through, 24:03 that aren't finding happiness, 24:05 that aren't finding a relationship. 24:08 What would you tell them right now? 24:10 Speaking in foreign language 24:14 My advice is to keep walking forward, 24:17 because the devil won't let you save your soul. 24:21 Speaking in foreign language 24:24 But keep pushing and God will open the door, invite you in. 24:29 Speaking in foreign language 24:31 Lydia, it seems like you've had a very hard life, 24:34 but God has brought you tremendous happiness. 24:37 Do you look forward to going home? 24:39 Speaking in foreign language 24:41 Of course, I don't keep my treasures here on earth. 24:45 Speaking in foreign language 24:51 Because I was always poor, 24:53 but I hold all my treasures in heaven. 24:57 Speaking in foreign language 24:59 Lydia, thank you for sharing. 25:00 I appreciate it so much. 25:02 Look forward to being with you in heaven. 25:03 Speaking in foreign language 25:05 Thank you, because He can see all this 25:07 and He knows everything. 25:10 And I'm glad I've got to talk with you now 25:12 before our-- before we get to heaven. 25:14 Speaking in foreign language 25:15 Thank you. I'm very glad. 25:17 That's pretty much. Thank you. 25:21 In the Book of Revelation, 25:22 the letter to the Church of Laodicea 25:25 which is not far from here, described the people as thinking 25:29 they were very wealthy, they were increased in goods. 25:33 But it also says that they were very poor, spiritually. 25:38 The message of that letter to Laodicea 25:41 was counseling them to buy gold, 25:44 tried in fire and white clothes to wear. 25:49 In our story today, Lydia was very poor. 25:52 She described to us, 25:54 how they lived out in the country in a farm, 25:57 how difficult their life was. 25:59 Her mother was an invalid. 26:01 It was hard to make a living from doing that farm work. 26:05 But over time, after much search 26:09 she discovered 'The Voice of Hope Radio.' 26:13 And on that-- from that program 26:15 she began to find the answers to her questions. 26:19 Questions like, how did the Sabbath change to Sunday 26:22 and many other questions that she had. 26:26 When she heard these things she became so happy 26:29 that she had found the truth in Jesus Christ. 26:34 But do you remember at the very end of the interview, 26:37 Jim referred to how poor she had been 26:39 and she almost interrupted him and she said, 26:42 "No, I'm not poor, I'm very rich. 26:46 I have in Jesus Christ, wealth and righteousness." 26:53 Lydia represents those who have followed the council 26:58 through the Laodiceans. 27:00 The gold refined in fire represents her spiritual riches 27:06 and the white cloth-- 27:09 the white clothes represent Jesus' righteousness. 27:13 We'd love to have you join A.W.R. in this wonderful work 27:17 of bringing people to Jesus Christ. 27:20 The radio waves of A.W.R. 27:22 are truly making waves around the word. 27:25 Now if you'd like to join this ministry, 27:27 give us a call 1-866-503-3531 27:33 or you can write us at 12501 Old Columbia Pike 27:37 Silver Spring, Maryland 20904 27:40 or you can write us at www.awr.org. 27:46 Thank you for watching. 27:47 and please join us again 27:49 for another exciting Gospel adventure 27:51 because around the world A.W.R. is making waves. |
Revised 2014-12-17