The City of Thyatira

 

By Dale Babinsky     The city of Thyatira was founded during the Lydian kingdom, and it was located in a low lying area to the East of Pergamum. Following the death of Alexander, the city was captured by one of his generals, Seleucus. After the formation of the kingdom of Pergamum in 282 BC, the city was on the border between this kingdom and the Syrians. While not a strategic geographic structure, the city was well defended due to the strength of its inhabitants, who were mostly descendants of Macedonian soldiers. After the defeat of Antiochus by the Romans in 189 BC, Thyatira became a part of the kingdom of Pergamum and eventually a part of the Roman Empire. The city became known for its manufacture of bronze armor and textiles.     The fame of the city is of interesting note. Lydia, who was one of the women that Paul converted in Philippi, was from Thyatira. She was noted as a seller of purple fabrics (Acts 16:14-15, 40). Even in modern times the area is known for the purple dye that comes from the madder root. Today, the color is referred to as ‘Turkey red.’ The descriptions that are used in Revelation in the section pertaining to Thyatira also demonstrate the commerce of the city. Jesus is said to have eyes like flames of fire and feet like fine brass. As the manufacturers of bronze/brass armor, the people would immediately think of the metal foundries and furnaces. It is also possible that the term ‘fine brass’ may have referred to their specific wares. Later in describing the reward for those in Thyatira who remain faithful, Christ makes an allusion to them ruling with an iron rod that dashes to pieces the vessels of pottery. This is likely an allusion to the pottery that was also a part of the commerce of Thyatira.     Thyatira seems to have been improving in that their latter works were greater than their first, but they have a problem in that they are tolerating a woman who was teaching some to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to the many idols of the area. This woman, called Jezebel, may have held to the doctrines of the Nicolaitans, who were all for combining pagan practices with Christianity. Christ has given her time to repent and now says that if they do not take care of the problems with this woman, He will. He is putting no other burden on Thyatira other than taking care of this misleading woman. Today, the town of Akhisar, Turkey stands on the same site as ancient Thyatira.

- Dale J. Babinsky preaches for the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://gsmchurchofchrist.com/