History and Biblical Significance Located in what is today Turkey, Thyatira was an ancient city of Asia Minor near the boundary of Mysia and Lydia. The city was the center of craft and trade guilds that made prosperous use of the natural resources of the area. The apostle Paul visited the city on a number of occasions during his missionary travels. The ancient city is today a ruin. Thyatira was the location of one of The Seven Churches addressed by Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation. Although they were commended for their faith and service, they were rebuked for their tolerance of paganism. The "Jezebel" referred to in the letter was not the evil Jezebel of the Old Testament, but another person by that name who drew people away into worshiping the idol Artemis, also known as Diana. "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, Who has eyes like a flame of fire, and Whose feet are like burnished bronze. 'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.' 'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and beguiling My servants to practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her immorality. Behold, I will throw her on a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her doings; and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches shall know that I am He who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay upon you any other burden; only hold fast what you have, until I come.' 'He who conquers and who keeps My works until the end, I will give him power over the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received power from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what The Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:18-29 RSV)

In the middle of the city of Thyatira we saw the ruins of a 4th century basilica.

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Remains along an old Roman road.

Our next stop is Smyrna.