Metaphysical meaning of Thyatira (mbd)
Thyatira, thy-å-ti-rå (Gk.)--burning incense; rushing headlong; inspired; frantic; aromatic wood; perfume.
A city of Asia Minor. Lydia, the woman who was a seller of purple, was of the city of Thyatira (Acts 16:14). One of the seven Christian assemblies to which John wrote was in Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-24).
Meta. The intense desire of the soul for the higher expressions of life (burning incense, inspired, perfume). Zeal is the central thought represented by this church; it is also connected with power and faith.
The following interpretations are based on Revelation 2:19-29.
"Thy last works are more than the first" (verse 19) means that the expression and demonstration, or outer working out, of the ideal, is greater in this Thyatira phase of thought, or shows up greater, than the inner ideal itself.
"Jezebel" (verse 20) is the animal soul that has control of the animal nature. Zeal acts through the soul quality.
To commit fornication or adultery is to mix thoughts, to get two lines of thought into action. The animal soul is connected with the animal nature; it also becomes connected with the spiritual, and the individual becomes zealous for both the sense and the spiritual. This is adultery.
To "repent" (verse 22) is to change one's mind. One must store only true, spiritual thoughts and desires, and put away sense thoughts.
"Her children" (verse 23) are the errors, sicknesses, pains, and the thousand and one inharmonies and discords that come about because of our zealous desire to do things apart from wisdom (rushing headlong). Thus we eat the very substance of our body, and weaknesses result. We must see that all our zeal is spiritual and is used wisely, to build up the spiritual nature only. In this way we can overcome and put away sense thoughts, desires, and activities.
If you overcome, you will raise yourself to the consciousness of power (verses 26 and 27).
"The morning star" is the ideal that is given to us, the Christ ideal, and we must attain it, make it ours.
"He that hath an ear" (verse 29) means he who is in a receptive attitude of mind.
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Preceding Entry: Thummim
Following Entry: Tiberias
