Rev. 2:12-17-“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
“I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’
"These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword." By this title Jesus reminds the Christians of Pergamum that the Roman (They ruled by violence) is not the only one with a sword.
I know your works, and where you dwell-He knows what they are doing and what they aren’t doing!
He can say the same about us!
He knows where they are living at!
He knows what there are facing!
He knows what temptations are out there!
He knows what persecutions that surround them!
He knows what you face, He knows where you live, He knows who live with!
He knows your situation too!
He knows it what you face at your job, at school, at home, or even at church!
DWELL-There are two words translated “dwell” in the New Testament. One means “to take up a temporary dwelling”. The other one, the one used here, means “to settle down to stay; to take up a permanent residence”.
These people had settled down in Pergamos and they were not running away from the trouble around them.
How many Christians run away from trouble, turmoil, tuff situations!
You hold fast to My name-This church was not ashamed of the name of Jesus. His name is the only name “whereby men must be saved”, Acts 4:12.
Some churches you can attend and sit thru the entire service and never hear the name Jesus mentioned.
When people come to church, they ought to hear about Jesus! We are not here to promote the Baptists, this church, this preacher, or anything else you want to name; we are here to exalt Jesus! We need to be in the business of lifting up the name of Jesus
Doctrine Of Balaam-The doctrine of Balaam is really the way of covetousness and refers to one who hires himself out to do religious work merely for personal gain.
(Since Balaam found out he could not curse Israel, he realized he would be able corrupt them by getting them to marry the beautiful women of Moab. So he taught or advised Balak to tempt Israel in marrying the daughters of Moab. This would defile their separation and cause them to abandon their pilgrim character.)
Doctrine Of The Nicolaitans-Putting people on a pedestal to worship them instead of God
White Stones And A New Name-Those who competed and won in the public games were given a white stones with their names inscribed on it.
When a judge rendered his verdict, he would place a stone in a container and at the appropriate time, he would roll the stone out, thus rendering his judgment. A black stone indicated a judgment of guilt, while a white stone indicated a judgment of innocence.
