Thyateira (also Thyatira) is the name of the modern Turkish city of Akhisar ("white castle"). The name comes from Koine Greek "Θυάτειρα" (Thuateira) [1]. The Turkish equivalent of Thyateira is Tepe Mezarligi. It lies in the far west of Turkey, south of Istanbul and almost due east of Athens. It is about 50 miles (80 km) from the Mediterranean.
The city was known as "Pelopia" (Greek language: Πελοπία), but it was named Thyateira (Θυάτειρα) by king Seleucus I Nicator in 290 BC. He was at war with Lysimachus when he learned that his wife had given birth to a daughter. According to Stephanus of Byzantium, he called this city "thuateira" from Greek "θυγατήρ", "θυγατέρα" (thugater, thugatera), meaning "daughter", although it is likely that it is an older, Lydian name.[2][3] In classical times, Thyatira stood on the border between Lydia and Mysia. It was famous for its dyeing and was a center of the indigo trade.[4] Among the ancient ruins of the city, inscriptions have been found relating to the guild of dyers in the city. Indeed, more guilds are known in Thyatira than any other contemporary city in the Roman province of Asia (inscriptions mention the following: wool-workers, linen-workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather-workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave-dealers, and bronze-smiths).[5]
In early Christian times, Thyateira was home to a significant Christian church, mentioned as one of the seven Churches of the Book of Revelation in the Book of Revelation.[6] According to Revelation, a woman named Jezebel (who called herself a prophetess) taught and seduced the Christians of Thyateira to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
The Apostle Paul and Silas might have visited Thyateira during Paul's second or third journey, although the evidence is entirely circumstantial. They visited several small unnamed towns in the general vicinity during the second journey. While in Philippi, Paul and Silas stayed with a woman named Lydia from Thyateira, who continued to help them even after they were jailed and released.
In 366, a battle fought near Thyateira saw the army of Roman emperor Valens defeat Roman usurper Procopius.
In 1922, the Patriarch of Constantinople appointed an Exarch for Western and Central Europe with the title Archbishop of Thyateira. The current Archbishop of Thyateira (since 1988) is Gregorios Theocharous.[7] The Archbishop of Thyateira resides in London and has pastoral responsibility for the Greek Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom.
Thyatira is also the name of a titular see in the Roman Catholic church.[8]
(Source: Wikipedia)
URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyatira***************************************************************************
Revelation 2:18-29
Amplified Bible (AMP)
19 I know your record and what you are doing, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your recent works are more numerous and greater than your first ones.
20 But I have this against you: that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and who is teaching and leading astray my servants and beguiling them into practicing sexual vice and eating food sacrificed to idols.(B)
21 I gave her time to repent, but she has no desire to repent of her immorality [symbolic of idolatry] and refuses to do so.
22 Take note: I will throw her on a bed [[a]of anguish], and those who commit adultery with her [her paramours] I will bring down to [b]pressing distress and severe affliction, unless they turn away their minds from conduct [such as] hers and repent of [c]their doings.
23 And I will strike her children (her proper followers) dead [thoroughly exterminating them]. And all the assemblies (churches) shall recognize and understand that I am He Who searches minds (the thoughts, feelings, and purposes) and the [inmost] hearts, and I will give to each of you [the reward for what you have done] as your work deserves.(C)
24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not explored and known the depths of Satan, as they say—I tell you that I do not lay upon you any other [fresh] burden:
25 Only hold fast to what you have until I come.
26 And he who overcomes (is victorious) and who obeys My commands to the [very] end [doing the works that please Me], I will give him authority and power over the nations;
27 And he shall rule them with a sceptre (rod) of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, and [his power over them shall be] like that which I Myself have received from My Father;(D)
28 And I will give him the Morning Star.
29 He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches).
Footnotes:
- Revelation 2:22 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
- Revelation 2:22 Literal translation.
- Revelation 2:22 Many ancient manuscripts so read.
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
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Jesus describes Himself using similes such as "flash like a flame of fire" and "glow like bright and burnished and white-hot bronze." So, there is an imagery of light and heat. Then Jesus recognizes Thyatira's good works: love, faith, service, patient endurance, and their recent works being more numerous and greater than in the past. This is followed by Jesus telling Thyatira of their bad thing: They were tolerating the teachings and practices of jezebel which was leading astray some within the Church there. Jesus warns that those who follow and practice her teachings will receive anguish, pressing distress and severe affliction in return, even killing the hardcore followers, unless they repent. Jesus continues and says that He knows the inner thoughts, feelings and intentions of others and He will give each person the reward for what they deserve. Then, Jesus urges the Church to not follow those teachings and to 'hold fast' until He comes. Those who overcome and obey Him to the very end will be given power and authority over the nations, ruling them with a rod of iron with power over them the same as the Father gave to Jesus. He will also give the Morning Star to those who overcome.
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Jesus describes Himself using similes such as "flash like a flame of fire" and "glow like bright and burnished and white-hot bronze." So, there is an imagery of light and heat. Then Jesus recognizes Thyatira's good works: love, faith, service, patient endurance, and their recent works being more numerous and greater than in the past. This is followed by Jesus telling Thyatira of their bad thing: They were tolerating the teachings and practices of jezebel which was leading astray some within the Church there. Jesus warns that those who follow and practice her teachings will receive anguish, pressing distress and severe affliction in return, even killing the hardcore followers, unless they repent. Jesus continues and says that He knows the inner thoughts, feelings and intentions of others and He will give each person the reward for what they deserve. Then, Jesus urges the Church to not follow those teachings and to 'hold fast' until He comes. Those who overcome and obey Him to the very end will be given power and authority over the nations, ruling them with a rod of iron with power over them the same as the Father gave to Jesus. He will also give the Morning Star to those who overcome.
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