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The Book of Revelation by Chuck Missler – Hour 6 – Thyatira


Dr. Missler begins each week of study with a fairly detailed overview of what we’ve already studied.  Don’t be discouraged by this.  You may actually pick up on something that he’s repeated over and over that you’ve missed each time previously.

Today, Thyatira is known as Akhisar.  It is a small, unattractive town of 30,000 people.  Back in Biblical times, Thyatira was an important military city.  I won’t give you a complete history.  Suffice it to say that the name Thyatira is derived from the Greek word for daughter.  And previously, it had been known by other names including Semiramis.  That name should be familiar.  Semiramis was Nimrod’s consort.  The city having that name shows its Babylonian origins.

This letter contains the only mention of Jesus as the Son of God in the book of Revelation.  His title speaks of Him in His capacity as powerful authority and judge.  He commends them for their works and says they’re even improving in this area.  His concern is that this church didn’t stand up against this woman (Jezebel) who led them into idolatry.

What pagan practices are you personally engaging in that you should stop?  Many traditions that we observe today have their roots in pagan Babylonian culture.  This conclusion is arrived at by studying the Babylonians and the struggles of the papacy.  One fascinating thing I heard was that the title of the high priest of the Babylonian religion was Pontifex Maximus.  Sounds Latin to me, but I’m not familiar with the Babylonian language.  Take a few minutes to study that.

During my study of the title, I learned that the Pontifex Maximus was the head of the Roman pagan religion.  Roman emperors (including Julius Ceasar) held the title.  The Pope is also referred to as the Pontifex Maximus.  A literal translation of the title is “the greatest bridge builder”.  This gives me chills as I wonder if the antichrist will hold this title. 

I learned recently from another study that some scholars believe there is a correlation between the seven kingdom parables of Matthew 13 and the letters to the churches of Revelation.  The church of Thyatira corresponds to the parable of the woman and the leaven in Matthew 13:33.

Homework for next time:  Read chapters 2 & 3.  Outline the letter to Sardis.  What is their primary need?  What are the distinctives of this letter?

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