Thyatira is the fourth of seven churches in Asia Minor that receives an evaluation of its overall spiritual condition from God:
"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;
"I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last [to be] more than the first.
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
"But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have [already] hold fast till I come.
"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. " ( Revelation 2:18-28).
Thyatira the city is located in Asia Minor, bordering upon Mysia on the north and Lydia on the south. It was a trading town that was famous for its dyeing. Among the ruins inscriptions have been found relating to the guild of dyers in
that city in ancient times.
Through the preaching of the apostle Paul at Philippi a woman named Lydia and her household became converted. She was a seller of purple, or rather of cloth dyed with this color, who was from Thyatira ( Acts 16:14). Lydia may have been
used by God to first carry the Gospel to her native town.
