Thyatira survey

Thyatira was one of the seven communities that received letters from Christ in Revelation 2-3. The small area of excavated ruins of the ancient city are in the middle of a modern city called Akhisar ("white castle"). No doubt, many more ruins could be found underneath the modern structures. Of the seven churches, Thyatira was the smallest community. It was well known for its industrial productivity. Guilds for wool workers, linen workers, outer garments, dyers, leather workers, tanners, potters, bakers, bronze workers and slave dealers all existed in the community. Each of the guilds had patron gods. It may have become difficult for the earliest Christians to find work once they refused to acknowledge these gods. The message of the letter to Thyatira was one of encouragement. If the church remained true and did not compromise, it would have “authority over the nations” and dash the enemies of God as if they were pieces of pottery (Revelation 2:26-27).