Pergamum, The Compromising Church Series

The Compromising Church- Pergamum

7 Churches Of Revelation Series

CCCAG, September 1st, 2024

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Introduction- Brief Review 7 church’s PPT- talked about the two coastal cities, now going to the interior.

I will have to apologize in advance, because I know I’m going to deeply offend a lot of people with this introduction.

In 1985, I was a huge Chicago Bears fan during their Superbowl run, and then for years afterward. Tammie eventually got me saved into being a Packer’s fan, but for years it was Chicago for me.

I loved the punk rock QB Jim McMahon, RB Walter Payton, Defensive Tackle Refrigerator Perry, and wide receiver Willie Gault. The 4-3 defense that decimated offenses.

When they came out with their famous song “Superbowl Shuffle”, I thought that was the greatest thing ever.

Keep in mind, I was 15 years old.

Chicago came close to having a perfect season 15 wins and one lose to the Dolphins. Sportscasters were convinced that they had a winning team, and they would be a football dynasty for years to come.

The next season, they went 15-2, losing in the NFC championship game. Still not a bad season.

1987- 11/4

1988 12/4

1989 6/10

What happened? Why did such a juggernaut fall so quickly into being a losing team?

A few bad trades, but mostly because they rested on their laurels. The work they put into being a Superbowl Champion team fell apart as everyone began to look out for their own money and fame, and the team evaporated.

But this doesn’t just happen to winning sports teams.

This also happens to churches and church denominations, and even families or individual Christians.

Today we are going to look at the next church in our series- the Church at Pergamon (AKA Pergamos in some translation).

We will see how a once successful church started its slide into obscurity.

Much of what happened to it could be summarized in 1 word- compromise.

We are going to examine the symptoms that led to its demise and see if any of those symptoms appear in our world or our lives today.

Let’s read it together.

Scripture (Jesus speaking to the church)

Rev 2:12-17 CSB “Write to the angel of the church in Pergamum: Thus says the one who has the sharp, double-edged sword: (13) I know where you live?—?where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding on to my name and did not deny your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness who was put to death among you, where Satan lives. (14) But I have a few things against you. You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. (15) In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (16) So repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (17) “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.

Prayer- that God will reveal areas of compromise in our hearts

Brief background on Pergamun (located high plateau/high place)

? Jesus calls the city Satan’s thrown- Zeus’s temple (describe- largest temple, everyone required to worship there, worship involved eating meat sacrificed to idols followed by sleeping with temple prostitutes. This worship was mandatory)

? Known for it’s Library- Second in size and scope only to the famed Library in Alexandria, Egypt.

? Known for it’s “advanced medical knowledge”

? People came there from all over the world to be healed of various diseases, usually intermixing the worship of serpents with medical knowledge. Interesting fact- Rod of Asclepius (A Sclee’ Plee Us) serpents intertwined on a pole is the symbol of modern medicine comes from this city and it’s medical school.

That’s the background- lets look at what the scripture wants us to see about this city and the church that existed with it.

The first thing that is emphasized is in the first verse we read-

I. Jesus and the Word

Jesus describes HIMSelf as one possessing a sharp double-edged sword.

What is the meaning of this imagery?

What does the sword represent in the spiritual realm throughout the New Testament?

The Word of God. (Bible)

The literal Word of God, Jesus, is wielding the Word of God.

This same sword being drawn against the church of Pergamon will be the same sword used in Revelation 19 when Jesus comes out of heaven to meet the armies of the antichrist, with all of the armies of heaven following HIM, and look at what verse 15 says-