Revelation 2:18-19 18And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: This is what the Son of God says, the one who has his eyes like a flame of fire and his feet are like burnished bronze. 19‘I know your works and love and faith and service and patient endurance, and your latter works greater than the first.
The fourth church to receive a letter from Jesus was located in the city of Thyatira. This letter is the longest of the seven in Revelation. Not much is known about the city. It first served as a military fort by the founders of Pergamum, located about 50 miles to the northeast. It was a center for manufacturing and marketing during the Roman Empire, with a large number of trade guilds. These guilds were often tied to religion and voluntary associations, similar to unions today. Much social identity was part of these associations, such as shared meals. The god Apollo was highly honored as the patron of the guilds. The sacred meals often included sexual immorality and revelry. Pagan idolatry often merges with immorality in human history (Exodus 32:6; Numbers 25:1-2; 1 Corinthians 8-10). Removing God and God’s perfect law results in a fall into sinful practices that demoralize and degrade humans (especially women and the innocent; see Romans 1:18-32). According to Acts 16:14, Thyatira was the hometown of Lydia, Paul’s first convert in Philippi. Her business of selling purple may have had its roots in Thyatira’s industry.
The description of Jesus is now as the exalted Son of God, who had the appearance of the mighty one who can peer with his blazing eyes of fire and who can go anywhere with his shining bronze feet (1:14-15). No one can hide from him. He can know our deeds, both the good and bad. The church in Thyatira had a lot going for it. Since their beginning, they had grown in their love, faith, service, and perseverance. They had a proven track record of spiritual growth. These are remarkable qualities for any person or church. If we do not grow, then we begin to die. As the following verses indicate, however, positive growth is not enough without holiness. We must deal with the deeper issues of heart purity and not just pious activities.
Many churches look healthy on the outside, like the one in Thyatira. Growth is evident in many areas, including the numbers (people and finances). Yet, something is spiritually lacking. Good music with the latest songs or an enthusiastic, young pastor may attract people, but the church must be more than entertainment and programs. Attending a brief, entertaining 60-minute concert and pep talk is not sufficient for spiritual growth, though some growth will inevitably occur. The trap of compromise faced by the church in Thyatira is still around for believers today.