To His Church in Thyatira

Thyatira was a politically and culturally marginalized city, finding its identity economically, with guilds dealing in metals and fabric (Acts 16:14). Guilds celebrated their patron deities in periodic festivities, so Christians may have been tempted toward the message of a “prophetess” who advocated participation in illicit sex and food sacrificed to idols, both staples of the social scene. Excavated coins point to the ongoing NT-era worship of Apollo, who had been assimilated with the Lydian sun-god Tyrimnos. Contextually, Jesus comes to His church here with metallic imagery: “eyes like a flame of fire and feet as burnished bronze.” He commends them for their love, faith, service and patient endurance, yet He challenges them for tolerating Jezebel, a false prophetess and leader of sexual immorality and idolatrous practices. Jesus – the One who “searches heart and mind” – threatens great tribulation upon her followers unless repentance is made. Those who conquer and keep Jesus’ words and works until the end will receive authority over the nations, rule with an iron rod, and be given the morning star (Christ Himself - 22:16).