The End? Renouncing the lie

For a short video recording of this 6th session through the book of Revelation, click here or on the image below.

How much freedom do we have in Christ? What may we do with our freedom? These are the questions that the church in Thyatira grappled with towards the end of the first century. Plagued by trials and temptations under tyrannical Roman rule, John penned words of comfort and correction to this and six other churches in Asia Minor about our victory in Christ; the circular letter is known as the Revelation of Christ.

Thyatira is known today as Akhisar in far-west Turkey. This ancient city was strategically located as a buffer to the Roman empire, obstructing the path of its enemies and giving it time to gather military strength. It was found in a rich agricultural area, famous for its purple dye and wine. This city prospered during the Roman Empire through the security of the army and the trade routes through it. The archaeological discoveries of temple ruins, monuments, and amphitheaters give us a glimpse of historical culture. Ancient manuscripts reveal that many Jews settled in Thyatira during the reign of Seleucus I (305-281 BC).

Thyatiran coins of that era reveal strong trade guilds of weaving, leather, pottery, and bronze melting active in this city. These guilds, forerunners to our trade unions, formed leagues that promoted and protected their trade and its workers. In this pagan environment, the guilds worshipped their own gods in the hope of success and prosperity. These regular religious rituals involved sharing in a feast consisting of the meats offered to the gods – ending in revelries and religious orgies, symbolizing the prosperity of their trades.

Because of the pagan association of these trade guilds, Christians found it hard to work in cities with strong guilds: firstly because of a refusal to participate in the worship of pagan gods; secondly because they refused to eat meat offered to idols, and thirdly, because of the perverse nature of these communal meals. And this was a contentious issue for the church in Thyatira at the time of John’s writing.

The letter of Christ to the church in Thyatira is the longest and sternest of all seven letters to the churches (Revelation 2:18-28).

Revelation (2:18). Christ reveals himself as… [Read the full commentary of Revelation in Faithful to the End]