Revelation, and God’s Church Revelation 2:12-17NKJ
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “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. 14 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. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 “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.”’
As this angel sent from God speaks to John while he’s having this open Revelation for historical, present day and futuristic events John understood this unveiling of events would become a vast supply of information for the body of Christ (His bride). It’s not God’s will for God’s people to grasp in the dark for answers. Revelation gives the bride open revelation.
Revelation 2:12NLT “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the one with the sharp two-edged sword:
Pergamos lit. means “citadel” and is the word from where we get the word parchment. This was a writing material made from animals and was first developed in that area.
Pergamos is modern day- Bergama (Western Turkey) it was built on a 1,000- foot hill in a board, fertile plain about 20 miles inland from the Aegean Sea. Pergamos served as a religious center for pagan cults. It also was the first city in Asia to build a temple for Caesar.
Revelation 2:12bNLT This is the message from the one with the sharp two-edged sword:
Christ is seen with a two edged sword coming from His mouth that’s symbolic as judgement on those who try to destroy His church and attack His people.
Hebrews 4:12TM God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.
Revelation 2:13NLT “I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city.
This was headquarters of satanic opposition and a Gentile base for false religions. It was also filled with superstition.
Martyrdom received its name from Pergamos. Jesus say’s, “You remained faithful!”
James 1:2-4TM Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Revelation 2:14NLT “But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin.
Remember Balaam- how he tried to prostitute his prophetic gift and curse Israel for money offered him by Balak King of Moab.
Balaam finally devised a plot to have the Moabite women seduce Israelite men into intermarriage. (The results was a blasphemous union filled with idolatrous practices.)
Revelation 2:15NLT In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching.
The Nicolaitans teachings perverted grace and replaced liberty with license. (They taught self-indulgence.)
Revelation 2:16NLT Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
In other words, “I will bring judgement unto you!”
Revelation 2:17NLT “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.
To be an overcomer is to be a Christian. 1 John 5:4NKJ For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 John 5:4TM The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God.
Revelation 2:17bNLT And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.
In Roman days the white stone was an admission pass to an athletic event. Every believer will receive a stone with (I believe) a special invitation into heaven. (Eternity)
Prayer.
