Thyatira (Akhisar)
Ancient Thyatira, a wealthy commercial city, is now Akhisar. Once renowned for bronze and weaving, it now grows tobacco and olive oil. Thyatira's Great Mosque (Ulu Cami) was a Byzantine church until Ottoman conquest. Few hints of the region's once thriving Christianity remain.
It was the fourth of the seven churches of Revelation. Despite a weak church, Christ urged persistence in their beliefs. He praises it for having grown in faith and service (Revelation 2:19). But its devotion to an unrepentant false prophet led some to idolatry and immorality (Revelation 2:20). Jesus reassures they can still repent. (Revelation 2:21-22).
- Bible:
- Travel:
- Turkey & Greece 2019
- Fri 3/8 we awoke in Izmir/Smyrna
- 6:30 — Breakfast
- 7:00 — Depart hotel in Izmir
- 8:15 — Arrive Thyatira (Akhisar)
- On site textual lesson Reading: Rev. 2:18-29
- 9:15 — Depart From Thyatira (Akhisar) for Pergamon
- Fri 3/8 we awoke in Izmir/Smyrna
- Turkey & Greece 2019
- Resources:
Background
Thyatira was the name of an ancient Greek city in Asia Minor. Now it is the modern Turkish city of Akhisar (“white castle”). It lies in the far west of Turkey, south of Istanbul and almost due east of Athens. Lydia, the seller of purple, or rather cloth died with this color, was from the city (Acts 16:14.)
Citation missing
It was the headquarters for many ancient guilds: the potters, tanners, weavers, robe makers and dyers guilds. It was actually the center of the dyeing industry (no pun intended).
The Lord says, “I’m going to put on a public display of warning about tolerating false teaching and its accompanying immorality. I”m going to kill people in Thyatira as an example to other churches who think they need to go that way. And I am the one who searches the minds and the hearts.”
Jesus encouraged the church at Thyatira by saying—“hold tightly to what you have until I come.” It’s the same instruction for us, and the same instruction for every church and every believer - hold to the faith, don’t compromise, stick with what you’ve been taught.
In the center of Modern day Akhisar are the archaeological remains of Thyatira. Among the ruins is a basilica dating from 2 AD. In some places it is preserved to a height of 4 meters (13 feet). There are also columns and arches from an ancient portico dating from about the 4th century.
From Britannica:
The ancient town, originally called Pelopia, was probably founded by the Lydians. It was made a Macedonian colony about 290 BC and renamed Thyatira. It became part of the kingdom of Pergamum in 2190 BC and was an important station on the ancient Roman road from Pergamum to Laodicea. Its early Christian church appears as one of the seven churches in the Revelation to John. Akhisar was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century.
More to come...
