7 Churches of Revelation
4. Thyatira
Historical Background
The road from Istanbul to Izmir runs through the small and unattractive town of Akhisar (population: 30,000) which now occupies the site where once stood the important military city of Thyatira. At the time of Jesus, the population was estimated to be about 100,000. In New Testament times, the city stood at the junction of three main roads leading to Pergamos, Sardis, and Smyrna.
It was originally a Lydian town bearing the name of Pelopia, then Semiramis, and then Euhippia. It was taken by the Persians and then Alexander, and is ultimately passed to the possession of Lysimachus, one of Alexander’s four generals. In 301 B.C., however, Lysimachus was defeated by his rival Seleucus I (Nicator) and it thus became part of Syria. The city was converted into a frontier fortress to guard the way to Pergamos.
Nicator named it “Thyatira” (Greek, thygater, for daughter) on being informed that a daughter had been born to him; cf. “Jezebel.” [Another meaning is “continual sacrifice” which many scholars associate with the doctrine of the mass.]
Growing in commercial importance, Thyatira became a well-known center for trade guilds. Membership in these was compulsory and essential if one was to pursue a trade. These were well organized corporate bodies, providing specific benefits and taking actions to protect their interests, often owning considerable property. Each guild was under the patronage of some pagan deity, and all proceedings and feasts commenced with paying homage to the patron god or goddess. The dilemma of the Christian tradesman continues in our own day: Is it necessary for the believer to participate in the production of films, plays, books, or music which have an essential appeal to the flesh? It is a choice between Christ or the world.
Thyatira was known for its dyes—particularly its purple (which was scarlet rather than purple, derived from the madder-root which is prolific in the area. (Alternatives also included the murex, a shellfish from whose throat a drop of dye could be extracted.) Cf. Lydia, a wealthy sales rep for Thyatira dwelling in Philippi (Acts 16:14,15).
Thyatira portrays the medieval papacy from 600 to 1500 A.D. The dream to establish and enforce the pretensions of the Roman church constitute the major part of the history of the Middle Ages. The Chaldean priest who interpreted the esoteric doctrines of the Babylonian mysteries was called Peter (i.e. “the interpreter”). He wore an insignia of the two keys of Janus and Cybele, which still appear on the Papal arms as symbols of spiritual authority.
The danger to the church at Thyratira did not arise from the persecutions of imperial Rome nor from the animosity of Jewish attitudes. It arose from within the church itself—all the more serious and dangerous to deal with.
