The Message to Pergamos
Book of Revelation
Chapter 2 Verses 12 through 17
The Church at
Pergamos was established but by whom is not certain. We know that the
Apostle Paul worked in the area, but he did not mention it by name.
We also know the
Apostle Paul would never take the credit for another man's work
neither would he work in the same area to compete with another child
of God.
Act 16:5 And so
were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number
daily.
Act 16:6 Now when
they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were
forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Act 16:7 After they
were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit
suffered them not.
Act 16:8 And they
passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
The city of Pergamos
was the chief city of Mysia.
It is only 60 miles
north of Smyrna and is now named Bergamo and still has two Christian
Churches in it today.
It is said that out
of around 20,000 people living there, as many as 2000 of them are
Christians.
We can understand
that the Church in Ephesus also represents the Apostolic Age up to
100 AD.
The Church of Smyrna
would represent the end of the Apostolic Age until the Constantine
Age.
The Church of
Pergamos would represent the Constantine Age up to the Boniface III
Age. Boniface the III was the first Pope.
The influence of the
papacy had begun with the rule of Constantine!
Beginning in the
year 313 AD Christianity was showing strength against paganism and to
Constantine, that there was power in religion.
It is said that he
had a vision of a fiery red cross and on that cross written "By
this shall thou conquer".
He decided himself,
without Holy Ghost conviction that he should become a Christian.
Christianity then
became the religion of the Roman Empire.
A hierarchy was then
formed, and the Lord Jesus Christ was dethroned as the head of the
Church.
These things
resulted in what is now known as the Catholic Church.
Now I do not deny
that there are Christians in every group of believers, but the Lord
Jesus Christ is certainly the true head of the Church and He always
will be. He used words like, forever and eternal and these words
speak for themselves because our Lord cannot lie!
It these things that
were in their beginning, that had influence over the Church at
Pergamos.
We will see that
church members began to participate in worldly functions.
We will see that
church members would allow worldly activities to take place inside
the church.
We will see that
Baptism became the sign of salvation but without repentance. You
cannot be "Born Again" without repentance!
*****Rev 2:12 And
to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he
which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
We can say a lot of
things about that two-edged sword but in reality, it designates the
Word of God!
Heb 4:12 For the
word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and
of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Neither is
there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things
are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
We miss a very
important point in these letters, if we do not see that the Lord
Jesus holds the Pastor of each church responsible for the direction
of the Church.
Pergamos was a royal
city with a high and lofty attitude. There was a great temple to
Caesar, a great altar to Zeus, which was a chair 40 feet high that
overlooked the city.
Pergamos was a city
full of pagan worship and it was ok to be a Christian, as long as you
did not say that Jesus Christ was the only God.
This has not changed
at all today. You can say the word god all day long, just as long as
you do not mention the Lord Jesus Christ and then you become an
enemy!
Pergamos was one of
the cultural and religious centers of the known world in that day and
had been a capitol city for more than 400 years.
You had to be
politically correct to get along in Pergamos!
These are the people
this Pastor tried to lead to the Lord and then keep them headed on
that pathway to Heaven.
He was to use the
written Word of God, which by that time included almost all the New
Testament.
It took a strong man
of God to preach against the pagan world where this church was
located.
How did Jesus see
this church?
*****Rev 2:13 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.
We need to get one
thing very clear! The Lord Jesus Christ knows everything there is to
know about each one of us!
The Lord Jesus
Christ knows everything there is no know about our Church!
We are to do
everything we can to spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
to make disciples to go out into our community, our state, our
nation, and the uttermost parts of the world.
We are to keep to
the image of the Lord Jesus Christ in everything we do!
In other words, when
the world looks at us, they should have no doubt that we will take
our stand with Jesus and we are not about to move away from Him.
It should be known
that we will not compromise for any reason and we do not believe in
being politically correct!
We should understand
that this church in Pergamos was loyal to the Lord Jesus Christ even
while they were located in this pagan place.
They lived in a
cesspool of worldliness.
This city provided
every pleasure people would look for.
In this city, it was
your possessions that determined your place in society.
You could find every
comfort that humans desire.
What were some of
the problems for the Christians here?
Once a year by law
they had stand before the Temple of Caesar and declare him as a god,
but they refused to do so.
They refused to bow
to a false god.
Just what did Jesus
teach us about these things?
Mat 10:32 Whosoever
therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before
my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 10:33 But
whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my
Father which is in heaven.
This church was pure
in its doctrine and had not denied their faith in the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
Tit 1:9 Holding
fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by
sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
This church was
taking a stand against persecution. One of the church leaders had
been martyred named Antipas.
In that day each and
every Christian knew that if they claimed the Lord Jesus Christ, it
could cost them their life!
We must also
remember that if every Christian just presented themselves before the
executioner to be a martyr then this is not being a good witness.
Yes, we are to take
a stand with the Lord, but we are to go about the business of the
Lord while staying away from the politics of the world!
There were still
some things going on in this church that were not right!
*****Rev 2:14 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.
What do we know of
Balaam? We know he did do his best to curse the people of God.
The Apostle Peter
wrote:
2Pe 2:12 But these,
as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil
of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in
their own corruption;
2Pe 2:13 And shall
receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure
to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting
themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
2Pe 2:14 Having
eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling
unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices;
cursed children:
2Pe 2:15 Which have
forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of
Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2Pe 2:16 But was
rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice
forbad the madness of the prophet.
What is the doctrine
of Balaam?
When there is
corruption and worldliness already inside the church.
Church members who
taught against staying pure!
Trying to mix
worldliness and religion under the heading of Christianity.
There was a
determined effort to bring unrighteousness into this church!
It was Balaam who
taught King Balak to send in Moabite women into the locations of the
Jews with intent to cause fornication, which is a terrible sin in the
eyes of God.
In this church they
most likely baptized people who had not repented of their sin.
They had allowed
these same people to begin to teach Sunday School and to teach
children.
This caused a mixed
membership, some keeping the laws of God and others choosing to be
politically correct and sided with the world.
Families were being
broken up because of fornication.
They were
participating in the feast at the Temple of Caesar, and Temple of
Zeus and joining in at the altar which many called the seat of Satan.
The Pastor was
teaching the truth, but he was allowing church growth, by allowing
non-Christians to be involved in the teaching and other activities
when he needed to verify their salvation.
According to the
Word of God by example, Jesus spent three years teaching the Apostles
and even the Apostle Paul was three years with the Lord Jesus and
good example for any who first must accept the Lord Christ as their
Savior and then learn the Word of God before teaching others.
Now only Jesus can
save, and only Jesus knows who is saved, but we can still know them
by their works.
1Pe_2:12 Having
your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak
against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they
shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
It is by our works
after salvation, that we will know those who are saved.
Jesus said:
Joh_3:3 Jesus
answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a
man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh_3:7 Marvel not
that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
To be "Born
Again" is to be repenting from that old life and walking in the
ways of Jesus.
These that that came
into the church at Pergamos were still hanging out at those temples
to false gods.
Some others were
just trying to take advantage of God's "Grace" which God
forbids.
Rom 6:1 What shall
we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid.
How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye
not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were
baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore
we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was
raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life.
There is not anyone
sitting here that cannot name a church where this is going on today
and has become the foundation of many mainline denominations for a
good while now.
What did Jesus say
was the remedy? To repent.
There is not much
repentance preaching happening in the modern church!
*****Rev 2:16
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against
them with the sword of my mouth.
Repentance begins
with a complete change of mind. We must quit rebelling against the
Word of God and begin accepting and submitting to all the Word of God
as the truth!
One of the greatest
examples of repentance in the Scriptures is found in the Book of
Mathew.
Mat 21:27 And they
answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them,
Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Mat 21:28 But what
think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and
said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
Mat 21:29 He
answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
Mat 21:30 And he
came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I
go, sir: and went not.
Mat 21:31 Whether
of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The
first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the
publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Jesus said to repent
is to believe the Gospel"!
Mar_1:15 And
saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand:
repent ye, and believe the gospel.
As we have already
said that sword in the mouth of the Lord is a two-edged sword.
One side the sword
of truth, the other side the sword of judgment.
The Lord first gave
us His un-fallible Word of Truth.
When the Word of God
does not convince, then comes the sword of the Lord.
The Lord He would
fight with His sword of judgment!
What did this mean
for Balaam?
Num 22:21 And
Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the
princes of Moab.
Num 22:22 And God's
anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in
the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass,
and his two servants were with him.
Num 22:23 And the
ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword
drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went
into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
Num 22:24 But the
angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on
this side, and a wall on that side.
Num 22:25 And when
the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall,
and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
Num 22:26 And the
angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where
was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
Num 22:27 And when
the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and
Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
Num 22:28 And the
LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have
I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
Num 22:29 And
Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there
were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
Num 22:30 And the
ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden
ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto
thee? And he said, Nay.
Num 22:31 Then the
LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD
standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed
down his head, and fell flat on his face.
The Lord stopped
Balaam.
Then Balaam met his
doom!
Num 31:7 And they
warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they
slew all the males.
Num 31:8 And they
slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain;
namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of
Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.
There is no battle
with the Lord that you can win!
Then the Lord said
for this church to remember that He also hated the Doctrine of the
Nicolaitans, which we know are a people to try to take advantage of
the "Grace" of God which God forbids!
We are not to
continue in our sinful ways once we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as
our Savior. This is what repentance is all about.
Now listen to the
Holy Spirit.
*****Rev 2:17 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.
Remember these words
are given to the Pastor of the Church and he is to preach this
message.
The Holy Spirit
says, you need to sit up and stop what you are doing and listen to
this message from God.
The Holy Spirit also
expects the same thing from each of us!
Each and every child
of God is given the opportunity and the right to eat of the true
manna, the true bread of Heaven.
The true manna from
Heaven is the Word of God given to us by the Holy Spirit!
What did King David
tell Mephibosheth?
2Sa 9:7 And David
said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for
Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of
Saul thy father; "and thou shalt eat bread at my table
continually".
This is what our
Savior is teaching to us!
We will eat at the
Heavenly table of our Lord throughout eternity and it begins at
salvation then repentance.
"White"
and "New" are key words in the phrase that remains.
There are white
robes, white clouds, white horses, white thrones, and this white
stone.
We know that white
signifies joy and purity.
Solomon wrote:
Ecc 9:7 Go thy way,
eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for
God now accepteth thy works.
Ecc 9:8 Let thy
garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
The word "New"
is used almost as frequently as the word "white".
New name, new song,
make all things new.
White and black
stones were used in the courts of judgment.
White and black
stones were used in the games.
At some Greek feast,
everyone that came brought a token as a pledge. Symbolically this
white stone with a new name could represent our token, showing we are
worthy to sit down at the marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Rev 22:14 Blessed
are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the
tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
No doubt the one
sure thing is when we eat that Heavenly Manna, that eternal spiritual
bread of Heaven, and possess that white stone that has the name of
Christ Jesus written upon it, we will be able to enter into Heaven,
because no one gets into Heaven without being like Jesus Christ!
Jesus Christ is the
"Door" that we must past through to reach the throne room
of God!
Joh_10:7 Then said
Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door
of the sheep.
Joh_10:9 I am the
door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in
and out, and find pasture.
We must not be
fooled by foolish men and women. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only
way to get into God's Heaven!
Joh 14:6 Jesus
saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me.
No one will ever
overcome worldliness unless they listen to what the Word of God has
to say about the Lord Jesus Christ!
Amen
Let's Pray
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