2:18 “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass.”

• Thyatira was located halfway between Pergamum and Sardis, near the Lycas River. Today, Thyatira is known as Akhisar. It is located in Anatolian, Turkey. It was built on the side of a sloping hill.  This town was a gateway to Pergamum. This city had many natural resources. One was the madder-root which was abundant here, and allowed them to make dyes for clothing. Lydia was from Thyatira (Acts 16:13-15).  This town was known for its commercial prosperity.  It was also a city of many other trades: Wool workers, Linen workers, Makers of outer garments, Tanners, Leather workers, Dyers, Bakers, Slave dealers, and Bronze metal workers were some of the professions that were found in this town. The city was also like the other cities we have noted, in that they had the practice of Idolatry among them.  The major “god of choice” was Apollo the god of the sun. The various trades had their own "guardian" gods to which they offered sacrifices.  To practice a certain trade you would have to belong to a certain “guild”.  Since each guild had their own god they worshipped, this posed a serious problem to Christians seeking to earn a living.  Joining these guilds put Christians in compromising positions also because of the parties that would be held in which everything from drinking to fornication occurred.
• Again, the messenger of the church in Thyatira is addressed.
• Clearly, Jesus says who He is by identifying Himself as the Son of God (Luke 1:31-35, John 3:16-18, John 9:35-38, and John 20:30-31).
• The imagery of eyes like unto fire and feet like fine brass are also found in chapter one (vs. 14-15).

• Again, we find that Jesus knew what was going on among this local church.  He knew their works.  Their love for the Lord would have been shown through their obedience or disobedience (John 14:15).  Their service would have been required to please the Lord (Matthew 4:10 and Romans 12:1).  Faith is evident through one’s works or lack thereof (James 2:14-26).  Their patience [endurance] would help them to last through persecutions.
• Their last works were more than their first works, so they were not like Ephesus leaving their first love (Revelation 2:4), they have grown and matured (I Peter 2:1-3 and II Peter 3:18).

• Although some good was going on, the Lord did not overlook the bad.
• They allowed a woman denoted as "Jezebel" [compare to Jezebel, Ahab's wife (I Kings 21:25)] to convince some of the brethren to seemingly take part in these trade guilds which had gatherings that included idolatry, partying, and even lead to drunkenness and fornication.  If it was not these trade guilds they were joining in, it was something like them.
• She called herself a “prophetess”.  They should have not listened (Matthew 7:15-16 and I John 4:1). A woman should not have been in the position to lead these brethren astray (I Timothy 2:11-12).  She got them to fornicate (I Corinthians 6:18) and to eat meat sacrificed to idols (Acts 15:28-29).  They should not have “suffered” [allowed] this to go on.

• The Lord was longsuffering enough to allow time for repentance (II Peter 3:9), but she had opted not to change.

• The word translated “bed” means sickbed. Christ was going to strike this woman ill.
• The followers of this woman are going to pay for their deeds as well.  Her children are those who were following in her steps, much like when Jesus used that language in John 8:44.

• In continuation of the fact that the followers of this woman would be punished, her followers are called her children.  They will pay for what they are following.  Just because one is led astray does not pardon them from those sins they are led to commit. You reap what you sow (Romans 2:5-6 and Galatians 6:7-8).
• This church would serve as an example to others showing that the Lord knows what is going on and He will not overlook sins (Acts 17:30).

• Some did not hold to this doctrine, they denied ungodliness (Titus 2:11-14), thus they have not know the depths of Satan.
• The Lord would not allow them to be burdened any further (I Corinthians 10:13).

• The faithful were to hold fast that which is right (I Thessalonians 5:21, II Timothy 1:13, and Hebrews 4:14; 10:22-23) until the Lord deals with the sins among them.

• Governments have power over us in earthly ordinances (Romans 13:1-5 and I Peter 2:13-16) so long as those laws do not interfere with God’s law (Acts 5:29).  But, we see how in these congregations the government did things contrary to the will of God (i.e. Emperor Worship), and how these governments punished them for not following ungodly laws of men. While a nation can kill a Saint they cannot take a soul (Matthew 10:28).  There will be a time in which the tables will be turned (II Timothy 2:11-12).
• By our living faithful and preaching the truth, we in essence condemn the world just as did Noah (Hebrews 11:7).

• Christ has all authority given unto Him by the Father (Matthew 28:18). Those individuals and nations that do not serve God will pay a price (Psalms 9:16-17).  There is a blessing for nations that serve the Lord (Psalms 33:12).

• Those who serve Christ will have Christ (Revelation 22:16-17).

• Again, we see the conclusion to this church is similar to that of the others.  If you have ears, listen to what the Lord is saying.  Ignoring divine instructions will always have eternal consequences (Matthew 7:21).

1. All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted.
2. James Orr, John L. Nuelsen, Egar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Hendrickson, 1929),
3. Joseph H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, (Reprint by Hendrickson, 2002, original copyright 1896).