Note: I used many sources to study this book, one of my favorites is Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically-Inept by Daymond Duck and some out of different study bibles.
Ephesus-church of the departed love
Smyrna-church of fiery persecutions
Pergamos-(meaning marriage) church of world alliance
Known for learning, refinement, and science especially medicine. Had a library of over 200,000 books. Known for its idolatry worship. Worship to Aesculapius. The worship of Christ was usurped in medicine and Satan worship. Notice as we read these passages the many references to Satan and his worship. Christ was lowered. They even went as tar as calling Aesculapius, Preserver and Savior.
Age AD 313 Constantine ruled. A combination of church and state. Christianity was the official state religion.
Revelation 2
12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith ge which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
what do we learn from scripture is sharper than any two edged sword? (Jn.. 5:22,.27; Heb 4:13) This would make more sense as we read on we will find that Pergamos was full of tolerating error and false doctrine. What else is needed to correct false doctrine but the Word of God.
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest., [even) where Satan's seat (is): (throne)
Shows his usurping of world power. The prince of this world. Pergamos was known for its Emperor worship. Worshiping their leaders as god's as they sit on their thrones. Also there was the worship of Athena, Caesar Augustus, Dionysus, Askelpios, Hadrian and Zeus.
Jesus says he knows where they are. He knows the condition of the city. He knows the persecution. He knows all. He is in control no matter what is going on. Thank God he knows where I am. He knows what is around me and he is protecting me by his word
and thou holdest fast my name, (325 AD Council of Nicea settled an debate of the name of Christ and His deity) and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr (witness), who was stain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
They were persecuted and it seems that all the odds were against them but they did not deny their faith in Christ.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold thc doctrine of Balaam who taught Balac to east a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
In this we see that there are a few things that Jesus says they have done wrong. It is more on what they allowed and less on what they had done physically.
Two groups were allowed to teach and persuade the people. 1) Balaam 2) Nicolatians
1) Balaam is a popular person m scripture. Old and New Testament. We first find turn in the book of Numbers (22-24). You may not recognize the name but I believe you would recognize his story. Remember in scripture when the donkey talked. The man had beat him and beat him. for not moving but standing still. Unknowingly to Balaam God had sent a death angel in which only the donkey could see until it was revealed to Balaam.
Also we see that he was suppose to curse Israel under the order of Balak but every time he opened his mouth God would cause him to bless them. So he devised another plan That was to infiltrate them with women of other cultures and introduce idol worship .Moses refers to this in Num. 31:16.
It seems that the church was having the same problem. 2 Peter 2:15;: Jude 11 mentions him. It is a compromising religion. As I have said before Satan would have people playing Christianity and living in this world than to have sinners.
Stumblingblock-a trap, as set by Balaam for Israel.
This leads to practicing with other religions. Maybe to just get along and not cause fuss which leads to out right sin. Such as fornication a common practice in idol worship.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitians which thing I hate.
2) NicolationsCommon quote of the Nicolations was “What one does with the body does not affect the soul”
Jesus was not pleased because they looked over these people. He knew that all it took was a little yeast to work through the whole batch of dough.
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? (1 Corinthians 5:6 AV)
Compromise is wrong and it leads to total control of sin.
Nicolaitians first mentioned earlier in the chapter under the church of Ephesus.. The years have changed and also the times. In Ephesus the Nicolaitians were hated but in Pergamos they were lined up and obeyed.
Nicolaitians are people that we don't know' much about. But one common interpretation is that they are group of people who believed that you must experience it to understand it. So their favorite practice was sexual immorality They seemed also to have something to do with reinstituting the priesthood.
But as usual Jesus gives a way out.
16 Repent;
One of the most powerful words in scripture.
1Repentance" 3340 metanoeo {met-an-o-eh'-o} AY - repent 34: 34
1) to change one's mind, i.e. to repent
2) to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sin.
There are three Greek words used in the New' Testament to denote repentance.
1. The verb _metamelomai_ is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or' even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas Matthew 27:3"
2. Metanoco, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with
3. the cognate noun _metanoia_ is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical repentance consists of
a. a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness;
b. an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ;
c. an actual hatred of sin Ps 119:128 Job 42:5,6 2Co 7:10" and turning from it to God
d. a persistent endeavor after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of His commandments. The true penitent is conscious of guilt "#Ps 51:4,9" of pollution Ps 51:5,7,10" and of helplessness "#Ps 51:11 109:2l 22" Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin' but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance "#Ps 51:1 l30:4
or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Spiritual Sword: The Bible
1) Reveals all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pt 1:3)
2) Shines the light of God on our failures (John 3:20
3) Reveals the true will of God (1 Thes 4:3
4) Convicts us of sin (John 8:7)
5) Reveals the love of God (John 3:16)
6) Reveals the judgement of God (Rom 14:10)
7) Calls for repentance (Acts 2:38)
If you don't repent then I will 1) come quickly'. Speedy judgment. Here on earth but also up in heaven. Also Christ will fight against them and thew will loose
Revelation 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon thc horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with the their flesh.
It is not the church that decides what is right or wrong but it is the Word. The word is what tears down and builds up. And just as Israel took the sowrd to destroy Balaam and all his followers so should we take the sword and fight against and destroy the wiles of the devil.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;
Joseph Seiss
a) "A solemn rebuke to those who call themselves Christians, and yet seldom if ever look into their Bibles to read and study them"; b) Everything touching our salvation depends on the giving an attentive ear to the divine word and the diligent use of our privileges, to hear ¬mark, learn and inwardly digest what it contains" c) "Every one has capacity,' to give attention and so it is laid upon everyone to employ that capacity"
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 at receiveth [it].
So far we have seen three promises to the overcomer :
1 )Ephesian church "eat of the tree of life, which is the in. the midst of the paradise of God
2) Smyrna church "shall not be hurt of the second death?”
3) Pergamos church "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"
hidden manna-supplying all the needs of the Christian. Just as the manna did to the New Testament church. It is hidden to the world. God supplied the needs of the Israeites and they were told to take it and place it in the ark of the Covenant. It was hidden but it remined them of God.
white stone-white a symbol of purity' in Christ and a stone a symbol of solidness in Christ but it will take a more profound meaning when we get to heaven and see that just as our name is written on the roll it is written on the stone of Christ. A new name that is known to us, no one can take it away but it is ours in Christ.
1) white stone used by jurors to signify acquittal
2) The psephos which entitled him that received it to free entertainment
(the stadium games)
3) The precious stones which according to Rabbinical tradition fell along
with the manna
4) The precious stones on the breastplate of the high priest bearing the
names of the Twelve Tribes.
5) The white stones was regarded as a mark of felicity-pleasure
I like the idea of it being used by jurors to signify acquittals. When we get to heaven if we are overcomer Christ will cast the white stone before God the stone that says we are innoccent. It will not be a black stone for guilty.
We will be innoccent, never hunger, and have a personal relationship with Jesus. A new name.
