Thyatira was an inland city of Roman Asia Minor, set on an open plain along the ancient border between Lydia and Mysia, with no hills or natural walls to defend it.
It stood at the crossroads of Roman roads linking Pergamum to Sardis and to inland Asia, which made it a thriving commercial center. It had more craft guilds than any other known city of the region, including dyers, potters, tanners, and bakers.
The city appears twice in the New Testament. In Acts, it is named as the hometown of Lydia, the dealer in purple cloth converted during Paul’s preaching in Philippi.
In Revelation, Thyatira receives the longest of the seven letters of Christ to the churches of Asia. He commends the believers there for their love, faith, service, and perseverance, but rebukes them sharply for tolerating the teachings of a false prophetess called Jezebel, who led the church into sexual immorality and idolatry.
The letter reveals a God who searches minds and hearts and does not turn a blind eye to sin disguised as tolerance.
