See the similar opening statements at 2.1, 8, 12. Thyatira was, according to one commentator, the least important of the seven cities. It was southeast of Pergamum, halfway between it and Sardis. It was an industrial center, and one of the main industries was that of dyeing and manufacturing woolen goods (see Acts 16.14). The city had many trade guilds, which were usually somewhat religious in nature.

The words of : see 2.1, 8, 12.

The Son of God: this title appears only here in this book. Some languages have a general term for male or female children, and add “male” when a distinction has to be made between sons and daughters. See A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew, page 472, for a more detailed discussion of this problem.

Who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze: this description is taken from 1.14-15, which see. There is one slight difference in Greek: in 1.14 the word for “flame” is singular; here it is plural. As Revised Standard Version shows, there is no difference in meaning. The symbolism is clear: with such eyes the Son of God can see into the most distant and darkest places, and with such feet he can stamp out all opposition to his rule.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .