Standing For Christ In A Fallen World Series

Message to the Church in Pergamum, Revelation 2:12-17

Pergamum is the third church of the seven churches in Christ’s messages to the churches that John saw in his revelation while on the Island of Patmos.

We find that Jesus Christ walks among the churches. He observes and evaluates the churches. Each church is different. Jesus commends the churches for their strengths and He calls them to repentance in their failures. He also calls every church to be overcomers.

John’s Vision of the Risen Christ, it is hardly like the pictures we normally see of Jesus. In Revelation Chapter 1 there is a dramatic description of Jesus. In the message to each church a different aspect of Jesus is depicted. Here to the church of Pergamum there is a two edge sword protruding from the mouth of Jesus.

Pergamum was a great city and served as a political capital of the Greek empire and it was a center of learning. It was also the headquarters of the Roman proconsul who yielded the authority to administer the death penalty. The power of the death penalty was symbolically represented by the sword.

Jesus is portrayed to the Church at Pergamum as the one with the sharp double-edge sword.

Revelation 1:16

In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

Revelations 2:12

“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.

Jesus possesses the ultimate power over death.Now, at these words of Jesus spoken to John in his vision all the believers in Pergamum who have been wounded by the Roman sword and by their power to pronounce the death sentence (as they did to Antipus) know this.

Standing against the Outside pressures

Jesus speaks some words of tribute for the church in Pergamum.

Revelations 2:13

I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

Like the church in Smyrna this band of believers at Pergamum faced tremendous pressure from those outside the church. Intimidation was used to hinder these Christians. Yet they remained true they did not renounce their faith in Jesus.

Ultimately Satan is behind the persecution in the form of the Roman sword, the death penalty and the martyrdom of Antipas. Satan can use the evil forces of the world to intimidate and persecute the church. The threat of the sword did not derail the church at Pergamum.

Antipas was Martyred. The name Antipas means against all.

Anti – against

Pas- all

Living is a corrupt society you might feel like an Antipas. Everything seems to be contrary to the way of following Christ. Television is offensive. People at work act immorally. Community leaders bend to pressure. You may even find yourself opposing some Christians living in the world’s system.

Antipus was standing where Satan has his throne and he was opposing everybody. The story surrounding Antipas says that he was the Pastor at Pergamum. One day he was brought before an image of Caesar and told to confess that Caesar was God. When he refused, the Roman official said, “Antipas, don’t you know that the whole world is against you?” He replied, “Then Antipas is against the whole world!”

Jesus commends this church. They honored the Lord even when the pressure came on them. Antipas died for his faith.

Temptation to compromise from within

We do not have the luxury of fighting spiritual warfare on just one front. The believers at Pergamum withstood persecution. Then they got blind sided by compromise from within.

Revelation 2:14-15

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

What Satan could not accomplish at Pergamum through outward pressure and intimidation on the outside he achieved from within. False teaching infiltrated their ranks from within. The Christians at the church at Pergamum compromised.

There is al Old Testament story that that explains what happened at the church at Pergamum. It is the story of Balaam found in Numbers chapters 22-25.

The Israelites had just destroyed the Amorites. Balak the King of Moab feared Israel and entices Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balaam is a religious man. At night God sploke to Balaam and said do not curse these people because they are blessed so Balaam refused. But again Balak sent a delegation this time more numerous and more distinguished to convince Balaam to curse Israel. This time Balaam went with them.