The Church Of Pergamos
Rev.2: 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; 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 receiveth it.
The pergmos church was like many today they were known to tolerated sin. They were a compromising church this type of church will loose its influence and power.We should hate sin but love the sinner.
1. The Church vv.12-13
Rev.2: 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
This church was located fifty miles north of Smyrna
They were very persistence and very faithful to God even after Antipas was killed for the work he did for the Lord.
1 John 4:
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
They new the reality of this verse.
God knew these people so well (He knows us the very same way)
I know thy works “He knows ours”
I know where you dwell “He knows where we are at all times”
Thou holdest fast my name “ He knows if we are hanging in there”
Thou hast not denied my name “He knows if our love for him is real”
2. They had a small problem.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
It seems to suggest that the Nicolaitans were somehow conquering and subduing the people.
The first view holds that they are an early cult which followed or perverted the teachings of Nicolas,
Sexual sins just as to day. Nicolas allow several men to marry his wife.
You did as Balaam when he taught Balak to ruin the people of Israel .
Encouraging them to idol feast.
Sinful practice .
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Sexual impurity
Adultery and fornication
Purity is a personal matter
1st Cor.6: 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
2nd Cor.7: 1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Christian liberty is not a license to live life as we please.
Gods laws we still must live by.
3. They had a choice.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Repent means to change
Be sorry for what we have done sorry enough to quit sinning.
Mourning our faults and failures
Luke 13: 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Destruction will come if we don’t repent, God will destroy them he will do the same to us.
4. God has a way.
Opening .
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; 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 receiveth it.
All people have ears but they hear not.
Overcoming is how we obtain eternal life
White stone is innocence
Black stone represents guilt
People who think lightly of sin do the same of God.
All sin will be revealed some day .
God says the church should not tolerate sin
When this is done God will come to the person as well as the Church.
