Seven churches

98
M. M. NINAN
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Rev 2:23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he
who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your
deeds.
Rev 2:24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her
teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any
other burden on you):
Rev 2:25 Only hold on to what you have until I come.
Rev 2:26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority
over the nations--
Rev 2:27 'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like
pottery' -- just as I have received authority from my Father.
Rev 2:28 I will also give him the morning star.
Rev 2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
The ancient city of Thyatira is located approximately 80 Kms to the north-east of Smyrna
(Izmir) and is known today as Akhisar. Of the ancient city only the temple of Apollo, an
ancient church and a collonaded road remain. The city was founded by Lydians when it
was called Pelopio. Years later Selucus Nicator, one of the generals of Alexander the
Great, conquered the city during the 3rd century BC It was Selucus who changed the
name to Thyatira. By 100 BC the city came under the influence of the Romans and
majority of the people were Jewish settlers. It was situated at the junction of two valleys
and therefore was an important traffic controlling station. There was a Roman garrison
stationed there for this purpose. A market developed around this and became famous for
purple cloth and pottery. As an important and strategically placed trade route junction, the
two trades - the purple cloth and pottery - flourished there. The Thyatiraian purple cloth
was known all over the world and was used by Emperors, Kings and Chiefs as their royal
dress. They were made out of a dye taken from a sea animal and was considered a trade
secret of Thyatirian community of traders. Trade guilds in such a situation was part of a
pagan cult. This was necessary to ensure unity of the separate guilds as a family. They
met for worship, discussed trade matters and it was then followed with a business dinner.