Called to Stand Firm

Thyatira

Longest of seven letters — smallest and least important town

Between two valleys — great for trading

Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary d. To the Church of Thyatira (2:18–29)

There appear to have been a large number of trade guilds in Thyatira.

Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary d. To the Church of Thyatira (2:18–29)

The inscriptions

Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary d. To the Church of Thyatira (2:18–29)

wool-workers, linen-workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather-workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave-dealers and bronze-smiths.’

Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary d. To the Church of Thyatira (2:18–29)

Over in Philippi we read of Lydia that she came from this city and was a ‘dealer in purple cloth’ (Acts 16:14). The town was famous for its wool dyeing, which may well explain this lady’s occupation.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 35: 1, 2 & 3 John / Revelation In the Marketplace

The Christians who are members of these commercial trades would have a difficult time holding to a noncompromised faith in view of the pressure from the guilds to worship at the various city temples, and attend the guild feasts, most of which have religious connotations.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 35: 1, 2 & 3 John / Revelation In the Marketplace

In this letter the speaker to the church is identified as “the Son of God” (2:18). This title for our Lord appears in only this single place in the Book of Revelation.

Commendations:

Love

Faith

Service

Courage

Endurance

Improvement/Growth

Crises:

A person or movement named Jezebel

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 35: 1, 2 & 3 John / Revelation In the Marketplace

The Christian church at Thyatira has perhaps been deceived by a woman who evidently claims to be a prophetess, and who, like the Jezebel of Ahab’s time, is tempting the people toward immorality, and also to eat foods offered to idols.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 35: 1, 2 & 3 John / Revelation In the Marketplace

There are women prophets in the early church (note 1 Cor. 11:5), but here at Thyatira the problem is a false prophet. Her sex is not the basis for the judgment in this text, but solely her false teaching and her false way of life.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 35: 1, 2 & 3 John / Revelation In the Marketplace

In the final part of this letter, the Christians are assured of their relationship to God, and are encouraged to ignore what the false teacher has evidently described as “the depths of Satan” (RSV has “deep things”). They need not fear the magic and spells of the devil himself. We are not informed as to what these “deep things” include, but we are assured that they are no match for the authority of Jesus Christ who is the very Son of God