Hello Friends!
Welcome Back! Let’s continue our journey through “Revelation:
Jesus Speaks to His Church!”
Revelation:
Jesus Speaks to His Church! (Chapter 2:12-17)
This week we will begin
our reading of verses 12-17 in chapter 2 of
Revelation where Jesus Speaks to the Church of Pergamos…
Brethren,
we must never COMPROMISE!
But,
much like the “church” in “Pergamos” of the
Apostle John’s DAY, the “church” of TODAY
has mostly bought into the philosophy of Pragmatism and has decided that if a
particular activity draws a crowd and captures people’s attention, it must
be a “good” thing. In other words, if something “works” we’re going to use
it to our advantage! Leaders in the “church”
speak less about “theology”
and more
about methodology. They speak less about “sound doctrine” and more about business
strategy. And it is abundantly clear that the “church”
has ALREADY demonstrated that they will DO this very thing! And sadly, as the
pagan “world” becomes increasingly
hostile to the “truth”
of God’s Word and the “followers”
of Jesus Christ – Churches WILL compromise!
As
we are learning in this revealing study, there was much hostility
flourishing all over Asia Minor and severe “persecution”
was everywhere
of which had reached the town of “Pergamos”
without exception. Incidentally, we have no Biblical record for the founding of
the “church” in “Pergamos” itself. However, perhaps
at sometime the Lord allowed the Apostle Paul an opportunity to present the “Gospel” message to the people in “Pergamos” in which
may have developed into a “church”
fellowship – A missionary mindset!
And
it is in this important little letter where we will find a Commendation,
a Condemnation, a Command
and a Commitment given by Jesus Christ to His – Frail fellowship family!
Therefore,
let’s begin by reading about the THIRD
“church” described in chapter 2 ~ The “Pergamos” fellowship:
And to
the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith He which hath the
sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's
seat is: and thou holdest fast My name, and hast not denied My faith, even in
those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you,
where Satan dwelleth – Revelation
2:12-13
Notice
how our Lord introduces Himself here in this letter. Unlike His
encouraging greetings to the “churches”
in “Ephesus” and “Smyrna,”
this
one to the “church”
in “Pergamos”
is NOT quite
so encouraging. Here Jesus Christ identifies
Himself as “He which hath
the sharp sword with two edges” of which denotes a fierce
wielding weapon of war! And here we find that “Pergamos” was not only in danger
from the lost “world” surrounding them, but
was in greater danger from the Holy
One Himself. Why?
Because they were not willfully “separating”
themselves from the wicked “world”
system – Beware!
However,
despite this “sharp”
warning from Jesus Christ, He graciously offers this little “church” a Commendation
by also
saying “I know thy works…”
Why? Because evidently Jesus was relatively
pleased with their efforts for His “name”
sake and “faith” calling. Never the
less, all around – Danger loomed!
CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: The city of “Pergamos” was a very
dangerous place for “Christians”
to live. Why? Because it was entrenched
in idolatry
and immorality
without restraint or limit. And the main reason “Christians” were targeted was because one
day a year the people were required to offer a “sacrifice” to the emperor. And if “Christians” would refuse to offer a
“sacrifice” to Caesar because of their “faith” in Jesus
Christ, it would cost them their very lives! Therefore, it is quite likely that
the “faithful”
man “Antipas” of whom was commended
here by Jesus had never “denied”
Him and thus was “martyred” for refusing
to worship Caesar as Lord. In fact, historians are able to assert that “Antipas” was most likely the earnest “pastor” of the “church”
at “Pergamos” and that he was “martyred” for his consistent – Faithful witnessing!
And
it is said that when “Antipas”
was advised against his staunch stance for the Lord Jesus Christ, a
brief contest ensued:
"Antipas, the whole world is against you!"
To
which “Antipas” abruptly replied:
"Then I am against the whole world!"
For
this strong and “faithful” stance in the Lord
Jesus Christ, “Antipas” was then reportedly
“slain” by being roasted
alive in a hollow life-size iron bull of which housed a blazing
bonfire beneath its underbelly. This personal persecution
proceeded simply because “Antipas”
had refused
to renounce his “faith”
in Jesus Christ. Incidentally, this was a very vile and evil
city of which was serving as “Satan’s”
dwelling place. The prior “church”
at “Smyrna” suffered at the “synagogue of Satan” of which represented
the unbelieving
“Jews” themselves. Similarly, the “church” here at “Pergamos” is referred to as “Satan's seat”
representing the unbelieving “Gentiles”
themselves – Waging war at Satan’s headquarters!
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: The city of “Pergamos” was approximately 100
miles north of “Ephesus” and “Smyrna” and served as the postal route for
the populous. It was located 15 miles inland from the Aegean Sea and was not
situated on any major trade route. And although it wasn’t a port city, it was
considered by some to be Asia’s greatest city. And by the time the Apostle John
penned the book of Revelation, the city of “Pergamos” since 133
B.C. had been Asia’s capital for 250 years when its last independent king
bequeathed the city to Rome. That which was most notable in “Pergamos” was a handwritten 200,000 volume library! Therefore,
the city of “Pergamos”
was very educated & literate making it an
important center for culture & learning.
It was also the main center of pagan worship as there were a
number of false deities from the Greek-Roman world, boasting of temples
dedicated to Athena, Asclepius, Dionysus and Zeus. And overshadowing all of these false deities of
“Pergamos” was a
massive edifice devoted to the cult of emperor worship and
these people apparently built the first temple devoted to such
practices in 29 B.C. to honor Emperor Augustus – A pagan
palace!
As
a result, many nominal “Christians”
were often enticed back into the very familiar “sins” from which they had been delivered.
Therefore, Jesus addresses “a few
things” that He absolutely “hates”
and thus moves from a Commendation
of support
to a Condemnation of warning:
But I
have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the
doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children
of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication – Revelation 2:14
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Here Jesus addresses those who have
submitted themselves to the “doctrine
of Balaam” of which means a “corrupter of the people” and
according to Deuteronomy chapter 23
this “Balaam”
was an evil Old Testament character. He was a renowned money-driven sorcerer
from a place called Pethor in
Mesopotamia of whom made his esoteric sooth-saying services available to anyone
who was willing to pay him. In fact, the book of Numbers
chapters 22, 23, 24 and 31 tells the chronicled story of this wicked
man. Incidentally, the king of Moab was a man named “Balak”
who feared “Israel” and he hires “Balaam” to “cast a stumblingblock”
in an attempt curse “Israel”
so that they could not possess the land. Three times “Balaam” attempted to CURSE the “children of Israel” but by God’s
grace he utterly failed to do so. “Balaam”
then develops another strategy in that he will CORRUPT
them instead! Therefore, he convinces the Moab women to seduce the “Jewish” men into intermarriage and
thus bringing them into an idolatrous and immoral
life of paganism of which is forbidden by God. As a result, the
“men of Israel” reverted back
to eating “things
sacrificed unto idols” and were “committing fornication” against
their God! Sadly, these were the very “sins”
that “Israel” had experienced in
Egypt and thus FORGOT that such wicked
unions brought them BACK into a BLASPHEMOUS union with “Satan” himself – The CURSE
didn’t work but the CORRUPTION did!
And
then Jesus warns of another thing He absolutely “hates” of His followers:
So hast
thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate –
Revelation 2:15
If
you’ll remember, the “Nicolaitanes”
have already been mentioned back in verse 6
where the “church” in “Ephesus” had themselves “hatest” the “deeds of the Nicolaitanes” of which pleased the Lord:
But this thou hast, that thou
hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate – Revelation
2:6
These
“Nicolaitanes” were a
first-century heretical group of whom were characterized
by extreme indulgence and uncleanness
of life. And sadly, this movement eventually developed into a false CULT of “doctrine” that was drawing people
back into the wicked “world”
culture of idolatry, ungodly forms of thinking and behavior
from which they had been delivered! And although not much is known of the “Nicolaitan” hersey, Irenaeus
and Clement
of Alexandria wrote about these people:
“They live lives of unrestrained indulgence,
abandoning themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of
self-indulgence”
As
a result, the “church” at “Pergamos” had tolerated
their people living like pagans in “holding” to this “doctrine” of COMPROMISE
and thus corrupting the “household”
of the Lord – Jesus Christ hates compromise!
So
far we have the Commendation and the Condemnation. Next comes a Command from the Lord Jesus of which is very
straightforward:
Repent;
or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the
sword of My mouth – Revelation
2:16
To
“Repent” is to change
your mind and to turn your heart away from “sin” against God! Therefore, the “church” must lovingly confront its professing
“believers” who are living “sinful” lives and claiming to have
been “redeemed” out of the wicked “world” but who are literally living the
way the “world” lives. And if “we” don’t do this, Jesus says He will “come unto thee quickly”
and will literally “fight against”
the “church” that is on the brink of His JUDGEMENT!
In other words, if “we” don’t deal with worldliness
in our midst, Jesus will Himself. Today’s tolerant, non-confronting
and unbiblical
“churches” must be WARNED of God’s
– Judgment!
Finally,
Jesus moves from a Commendation, a Condemnation, a Command
and then to a comforting Commitment from Him:
He that
hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that
overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white
stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that
receiveth it – Revelation
2:17
This
closing statement appears in virtually all of these “church”
letters. In other words, if you have an “ear to hear”
then listen up! This is the Holy “Spirit”
of God talking! The “overcomer”
is mentioned several times throughout this excellent study and here
again the Lord makes this Commitment
to give all who will “overcometh”
these THREE things:
ONE: Jesus will “give to eat of the hidden manna”
which speaks of supernatural sustenance
for life. This is representative of the “bread”
that fed Israel through their wilderness wandering – Jesus
Christ is the Bread of Life!
TWO: Jesus will “give him a white stone”
which speaks of supernatural victory
in life. This is representative of ancient athletics when contestants were given
a “white stone” as a symbol of their winnings
and was a ticket to the Roman great feast – Jesus
Christ is the Victor!
THREE: Jesus will “give him a new name”
of which “no man knoweth”
but “he that
receiveth it” because this is a “new
name” of identification
for life. The winner’s “name”
would be engraved on their “stone”
providing access to all the regalia of triumph – Jesus
Christ is our Identification!
Therefore,
when “we” go into God’s GLORY as “overcomers”
we’ll have a “white stone” signifying our TRIUMPH in Jesus Christ! We will have
full access to the “marriage supper of the Lamb”
and all the JOYS of heaven. We will
have an “eternal” and “perfect” identifying “new
name” in Jesus Christ – Each of us is distinct!
And
here again Jesus says that
“we” will be “overcomers”
just as John reiterates in his first epistle
to the “church” as a whole:
Who is
he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of
God? – 1 John 5:5
Brethren,
what a blessing it is to “know”
that the Lord makes a PROMISE
to all of “us” who TRUST
in Jesus Christ and that we’ll have ALL
we “need” in Him – Known by
name!
In closing:
The
majority of the professing “church”
of Jesus Christ today is working very hard to be as much like
the culture as possible, rather than fleeing from them. For decades, it has
been popular for “church” leaders to make
people FEEL as if they are
attending a worldly event and has thus become sinner-friendly
instead of sinner-frightening. It has become affirming rather
than convicting.
It has become sentimental rather than theological. It
has become informal rather than solemn. It has
become entertaining rather than edifying. It has
become deceptive rather than honest and it has
become frivolous rather than faithful. These
silly “churches” do not like the
idea that they could be an offense to the culture and thus
FEEL that if they get close enough to the
“world” system, they will simply win them
over – Nonsense!
How did we get here? There are worldviews of thought that have
pushed the “church” in this dramatic
direction. One such trend is Pragmatism
which is a human philosophy that says the worth of something
is determined by its practical consequences. This
is akin to another “worldly” trend know as Utilitarianism which says that “usefulness“
is the standard of what is “good” for me. In other
words, if something produces the desired effect and outcome
that we desire, then we’ll do it regardless – More nonsense!
REAL REFLECTIONS: The “church” in “Pergamos” faced a spiritual
crisis. They were “holding fast” to Jesus
Christ and “sound doctrine” but among
them were also the ”worldly” minded. Therefore
Jesus says, “Repent!” We must either REMOVE the wicked Compromise
from among “us” or EXPECT
the Lord Himself to declare “war”
on our “church” gathering – Jesus Christ says REPENT!
These
ungodly
human-centered methodologies are the opposite of God’s “command” to His “church”
to NOT be “unequally yoked “ with the lost “unbelievers” of the “world” at large:
Be ye
not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with
darkness? – 2 Corinthians 6:14
Beloved,
may it be TRUE of “us” as representatives of God’s “light” that “we” will NEVER
COMPROMISE with the “unrighteousness”
of this wicked “world” of “darkness” or to be in spiritual “communion” with its
wicked worldviews – Do NOT court the world!
With
this information as a foundation for your personal studies, please read through verses 12-17 of the second chapter of Revelation.
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"Lighthouse Publications <><
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