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History of the Church at Thyatira

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History of the Church at Thyatira CHAPTER 2 HISTORY 4 OF THE CHURCH AT THYATIRA 3 2 1 Thyatira was a wealthy town in the north- as a horseman, bearing a double-headed making the purple dyestuffs. A member of is Turkish for “white castle,” and near the ern part of Lydia of the Roman province of battle-ax, similar to those represented on this guild seems to have been Lydia of Thy- modern town may be seen the ruins of the Asia, on the river Lycus. It stood so near the sculptures of the Hittites. A goddess atira, who, according to Acts 16:14, sold castle from which the name was derived. to the borders of Mysia, that some of the associated with him was Boreatene, a de- her dyes in Philippi. The color obtained by The village is of considerable size; most early writers have regarded it as belonging ity of less importance. Another temple at the use of this dye is now called Turkish of the houses are of mud, but several of to that country. Its early history is not well Thyatira was dedicated to Sambethe, and red. The guilds were closely connected the buildings erected by Caracalla are still known, for until it was refounded by Seleu- at this shrine was a prophetess, by some with the Asiatic religion of the place. Pa- standing, yet none of them are perfect. In cus Nicator (301-281 B.C.) it was a small, supposed to represent the Jezebel of Reve- gan feasts, with which immoral practices the higher part of the town are the ruins insignificant town. It stood on none of the lation 2:20, who uttered the sayings which were associated, were held, and therefore of one of the pagan temples, and in the Greek trade routes, but upon the lesser this deity would impart to the worshippers. the nature of the guilds was such that they walls of the houses are broken columns road between Pergamos and Sardis, and Thyatira was specially noted for the trade were opposed to Christianity. According to and sarcophagi and inscribed stones. The derived its wealth from the Lycus valley guilds which were probably more com- Acts 19:10, Paul may have preached there population of 20,000 is largely Greek and in which it rapidly became a commercial pletely organized there than in any other while he was living at Ephesus, but this is Armenian, yet a few Jews live among them. center, but never a metropolis. The name ancient city. Every artisan belonged to a uncertain; yet Christianity reached there at Before the town is a large marsh, fever-lad- “Thyatira” means “the castle of Thya.” Oth- guild, and every guild, which was an incor- an early time. It was taught by many of the en, and especially unhealthful in the sum- er names which it has borne are Pelopia porated organization, possessed property early church that no Christian might belong mer time, formed by the Lycus, which the and Semiramis. Before the time of Nica- in its own name, made contracts for great to one of the guilds, and thus the greatest Turks now call Geurdeuk Chai. The chief tor the place was regarded as a holy city, constructions, and wielded a wide influ- opposition to Christianity was presented. modern industry is rug-making. for there stood the temple of the ancient ence. Powerful among them was the guild Thyatira is now represented by the mod- - Holman Christian Study Bible Lydian sun-god, Tyrimnos; about it games of coppersmiths; another was the guild of ern town of Ak-Hissar on a branch line of were held in his honor. Upon the early coins the dyers, who, it is believed, made use of the Manisa-Soma Railroad, and on the old of Thyatira this Asiatic god is represented the madder-root instead of shell-fish for Roman road 9 hours from Sardis. Ak-Hissar 46 / 47 REVELATION 2:18-23 Keyword 18 “Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: “The Son of God, the One whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are “Jezebel” / Greek: “Iezabel” like fine bronze, says: 19 I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, Phonetic Pronunciation: ee-ed-zab-ale’ and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first. 20 But I have this Definition: The wife of Ahab, an impious and cruel queen who protected idolatry against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and and persecuted the prophets. (I Kings 19:1-3) The symbolic name of a woman who teaches and deceives My slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat pretended to be a prophetess, and who, addicted to antinomianism, claimed Christian CHAPTER 2 sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent liberty of eating things sacrificed to idols. of her sexual immorality. 22 Look! I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her prac- Questions to consider 4 tices. 23 I will kill her children with the plague. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you 3 1. If sexual immorality is clearly sin in the bible, how could someone convince according to your works. 24 I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold 2 this teaching, who haven’t known the deep things of Satan—as they say—I do believers that it is ok to engage in sexual immorality? not put any other burden on you. 25 But hold on to what you have until I come. 2. V23, What does Jesus want churches to understand about Him? 1 26 The one who is victorious and keeps My works to the end: I will give him 3. What are the deep things of Satan? authority over the nations— 4. What is the big deal with food sacrificed to idols? 27 and he will shepherd them with an iron scepter; Additional passages he will shatter them like pottery— just as I have received this from My Father. 28 I will also give him the Acts 15:24-29 morning star. 29 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. 48 / 49 REVELATION 2:18-23 Sermon notes / journal Observations / what does god want me to know? CHAPTER 2 4 3 Commands / what does god want me to do? 2 1 Promises / why does god want me to do these things? Principles / examples Practical application 50 / 51.
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