April 12: SUN WORSHIP

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass’” Revelation 2:18

The longest of letters to the churches is given to the church in the smallest city of the seven. Buried beneath the modern-day district of Akhisar in Turkey is the ancient city of Thyatira. The local pagans of John’s day there worshiped Tyrimnas, the Lydian tag-name for the sun god. This longest letter from Jesus corresponds with the longest historical period of the church: AD538-1798, a total of 1260 years. Secular history records this era as the “Dark Ages.”

In Greek mythology, the “most high” god is Zeus, whose son is Apollo (a better-known name for the sun god). Jesus introduces Himself as the Son of God clearly indicating that Apollo (or Tyrimnas) is a fake. Later, Paul would express the destruction of the wicked on the day of the Lord’s return, due simply to the brightness of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8). In Malachi 4:2, Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness.

The Dark Ages church would develop a style of operations that revolved around much secrecy. But Jesus, with eyes like a flame of fire (see also Revelation 1:14), sees it all! By contrast, the simple doctrine of salvation in Him was transparently given to the world: The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.” John 18:19-20

Daniel prophesied that this church would trample the remnant with its feet (Daniel 7:7,19 – see also 8:10). With His feet like fine brass (see also Revelation 1:15), it is well understood by those who trust Him that no amount of trampling could ever destroy truth, eliminate God’s people, or undo the precepts of His doctrine of salvation, so beautifully illustrated in His sanctuary.

From this smallest city we will later learn of the seedling idea that was to be propagated by the little horn power prophesied in Daniel 7:8,21 and 8:9. At the root of it is Satan’s exploitation of pagan sun worship, a major strategy to draw people away from God.

And [the little horn] grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. Daniel 8:10-11