<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/daf48ec0-5dfb-4358-87cf-10398f37ac8b/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213613.jpg" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/daf48ec0-5dfb-4358-87cf-10398f37ac8b/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213613.jpg" width="40px" /> Thyatira, an ancient first century city in modern day Turkey, is renowned for its links to the elemental genius of the Parakaleho. This genius, often personified as a guardian angel, is celebrated for its gift of the tongue that opens up new horizons for possibilities not thought possible before through fresh ideas where no one is left behind in the conversation of life, learning and futures.
The Church at Thyatira is characterized by its refreshing spirit and divine favor. It is proactive in initiating meaningful conversations about life's purpose and the hope for a better future. The church is also noted for its advocacy and defense, particularly in challenging times. Its key strength lies in its ability to support and encourage the weak during difficult times, until they achieve breakthroughs. However, a potential weakness is a tendency to compromise or settle prematurely in the face of transgression, which could potentially invite divine wrath and severity.
Thyatira is the Fourth of seven communities mentioned in Rev 2-3. Its guardian, the angel Parakleton, is noted for its stand against the sectarian and party spirit within the City of faith. Instead of sowing division, the angel fosters a spirit of inclusion and miraculous oneness to overcome xenophobia and racial prejudice. This is the parakalyctic genius that scaffolds new ideas and encourages fresh perspectives by building bridges at the table of open conversation where asking right questions coupled with effective listening brings about true fellowship beyond “eating and drinking” into the realm of “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).
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[Fourth] - This term refers to the sequence in Romans 12:6-8, where each biblical genius is identified in a specific order starting with prophetiea (discover), deaconiea (serve), didasko (teach), parakaleho (enable), metadidomi (give), proistemi (lead), eleeos (rescue). In this Pauline sequence, the parakalectic genius is centrally placed, flanked by three other modal excellencies on either side, akin to the middle candlestick in a set of seven. This positions the parakalyctic genius as a unifying force among the seven natural default abilities God has endowed humanity with to manifest His glory on earth. These abilities are reflected in the diverse contours of genius observed in humanity at large.
[angel Parakleton] - This angel is a powerful force in the unseen realms, combating all forms of prejudice, especially racism. It seeks to heal ancient rifts, such as the biblical feuds between Ishmael and Isaac, which mirror modern-day tensions. The angel's mission is to foster unity and peace, not just within the immediate family of faith, but across all nations and tribes. This is in line with God's vision for every knee to bow and every tongue to proclaim that Jesus is Lord. The angel's role in the ancient city of Thyatira was crucial in countering the city's anti-God movements and in ensuring the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth. The angel's chief agenda is to include every tongue, every nation, and every tribe in the fold of faith. The fact that the 7 churches in Asia Minor now lie in ruins is a testament to the power of God unto salvation toward this universal end.
[party spirit] - This term denotes the sin of hatred, characterized by a fear of others, indifference to the needs of those outside our immediate circle, and a disregard for the underprivileged, including the needy, the elderly, prisoners, the sick, the dying, and the disabled.
[inclusion] - This term embodies the Father's heart for the strong to aid the weak, the rich to support the poor, and the wise to enlighten the ignorant or foolish. It is the spirit of the shabbat, where doors are opened weekly to the stranger and alien without bias towards language, race, or religion. A chair is always left vacant for Elijah to return in the form of the less fortunate, the moabite or the ishmaelite. In today's context, this spirit of acceptance extends to victims of trauma or trafficking who need a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on, as some have entertained angels unawares (Heb 13:2).
[parakalyctic genius] - This term refers to the innate ability to recognize and nurture potential in unexpected places or individuals. It's the capacity to see beyond the surface, to identify and invest in the "diamonds in the rough". This genius is not just about improvement, but transformation. It's about reigniting the spark in what others might have overlooked or discarded, much like a high-performance coach breathes new life into an underperforming team. However, it's more than just about achieving goals. It's about the journey, about helping individuals not only reach their destination but also understand and appreciate why they set out on this path in the first place. It's about ensuring that the pursuit of any goal is meaningful and aligned with one's core values and purpose. In this sense, the parakalyctic genius serves as a guide, a mentor, and a catalyst for deep, purpose-driven change.
[scaffolds new ideas] - This genius is the natural ability to scaffold new ideas providing the framework until the work is done. Like scaffolding bamboo that help builders extend to the upper limits of a project, various additions and alterations can be achieved level upon level, floor by floor, in greater detail and with economy of effort. Thus very great projects of steel and glass are assembled and finished with the help of the humble bamboo scaffold.
[asking right questions] - The art of asking the right questions is a skill to be mastered by all. For some, it's a natural ability to discern motives and nudge in the right direction by asking a series of questions that uncover what lies at the heart of why we do what we do. This is an innate proclivity of asking a salient question that uncovers the motives that lie beneath and perhaps inspire greater passion to the finish. Once the why question is answered, the how and the what follows automatically.
[”eating and drinking”] - This phrase, when used in a pagan context, often evokes images of Viking halls where life's pinnacle is a drunken stupor. In contrast, the Christian life seeks “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. This is the true Paraclete in John’s gospel where the Spirit is responsible for opening doors of utterance for God’s people to enter into which is the true food that feeds the soul.
