Based upon Revelation, chapter 2, verses 18-29.
"… now the modern Turkish city of Akhisar ("white castle") … During the Roman era, (1st century AD), it was famous for its dyeing facilities and was a centre of the purple cloth trade. Among the ancient ruins of the city, inscriptions have been found relating to the guild of dyers in the city. Indeed, more guilds … are known in Thyatira than any other contemporary city in the Roman province of Asia (inscriptions mention the following: wool-workers, linen-workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather-workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave-dealers, and bronze-smiths)." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyatira)
THE TRANSLATOR’S HEADINGS [NKJV] - I've resisted talking about this … until today! Ephesus - The Loveless Church Smyrna - The Persecuted Church Pergamos - The Compromising Church Thyatira - The Corrupt Church Sardis - The Dead Church Philadelphia - The Faithful Church Laodicea - The Lukewarm Church
Compare with Swedenborg's Apocalypse Explained: Ephesus - “in knowledges of good and truth” (AE 95) Smyrna - “desire understanding” (AE 112) Pergamos - “in temptations” (AE 130) Thyatira - “internals and externals make one.” (AE 150)
Major feature of this letter - Jezebel “Calls herself a prophetess” [v. 20], teaching and seducing (misleading) - falsity that leads to evil, masquerading as truth
“I gave her time to repent” [v. 21] - how does this work, practically? There’s no suggestion that she’s been given a warning or been corrected in any way.
The judgement / punishment [v. 22,23] - interesting that the bed [“of suffering”?] into which she is thrown is the vehicle of her immorality
The Lord who searches the mind and heart, giving to each one according to our works [v. 23]
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” (Matthew 23:25,26)
“Without usefulness, love and wisdom are only fleeting abstract entities, and they do indeed fly away if they do not move in the direction of usefulness. … When useful service results, love and wisdom take on a real existence.” (True Christianity, paragraph 67)
Recorded on Sunday 25 June 2023