Pergamum, The Compromising Church
Revelation 2:12-17NKJV
Upon studying this third church, the church of Pergamum, I told you that weekly I would read these scriptures.
I believe that Revelation 1, is the foundation of the whole book.
Revelation 1:1-3NKJV The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must [a]shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Revelation 1:9NKJV I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The third of seven messages to the churches of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Pergamum was a city filled with shrines of many gods. Pergamon lies on the north edge of the Caicus plain in the historic region of Mysia in the northwest of Turkey.
In Revelation 2:12-17, the One who speaks to the church at Pergamum is described as having a double-edged sword.
According to Revelation 1:16, it comes from His mouth. This imagery is consistently used to refer to the Word of God, or the Word of Truth.
Upon studying Revelation 2:12-17, Two different books come to mind. We are warned through both:
2 Corinthians 11:13-15NKJV For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
Jude 4 says, For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
With that said, Revelation 2:12-17, speak of a church surrounded by many gods. A Church that is commended, but criticized, and if not corrected, condemned.
“We need to stop right there and thank God for His loving correction.” P.H
Revelation 2:12NKJV “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
The word of God is a sword, able to slay both sin and sinners.
Have you noticed how often a sword is at the center of a story?
In the world of make-believe—Luke Skywalker has his “light sword.” Zorro needs his sword to leave his trademark signature “Z.” And to wake everyone up, “The Three Musketeers are reduced to a candy bar without their swords.”
Seriously though—Throughout God’s word swords represent—war, power, defeat and victory!
The sword proceeding from the mouth of Jesus is the word. The 66 books of the Bible—39 OT and 27 NT. The word ‘Abiding’ becomes the believer’s purpose.
Revelation 2:12TM Write this to Pergamum, to the Angel of the church. The One with the sharp-biting sword draws from the sheath of his mouth—out come the sword words:
Upon the Great White Throne Judgement—There isn’t any surprises on Judgement day, Jesus knows everything. The suspect on trial will be quickly judged. Again, there will be no surprises.
The only way to recover—is through the blood!
Hebrews 10:19-20NKJV Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
There are several things the devil fears, here’s just a few:
The blood of Jesus.
The name of Jesus.
The word of God.
A believer’s knowing their authority. One who knows how to bind and loose in the name of Jesus. (Matt.18:18)
Jesus say’s, Revelation 2:13NKJV “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.
Antipas was the Messenger, or pastor of the church of Pergamos. Verse 13, says he was a faithful martyr. Tradition teaches, Antipas came against the cities false gods. Thus, martyred.
Jesus speaks to Pergamos, “You have held fast to my name.” The name of Jesus. Jesus goes on to say, “you’ve kept the faith.”
Paul tells Timothy in, 1 Timothy 6:12NIV Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Jesus tells the church of Pergamos, “You have fought a good fight of faith thus far.”
Revelation 2:14NKJV 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.
Jesus is saying, you have allowed some to hold onto their own doctrine. Balaam, a non-Israelite false prophet described in the Old Testament (Numbers 22–24), as a diviner who is beseeched by Balak, the king of Moab to lead the Israelites away.
Again, Balaam encouraged Balek to cruse Israel.
According to Revelation 2:14, Balaam told King Balak how to get the Israelites to commit sin by enticing them with sexual immorality and food sacrificed to idols. The Israelites fell into transgression due to these traps and God sent a deadly plague to them as a result (Numbers 31:16).
It all begun with a false prophet—a false word, a negative report!
Revelation 2:14-15TM “But why do you indulge that Balaam crowd? Don’t you remember that Balaam was an enemy agent, seducing Balak and sabotaging Israel’s holy pilgrimage by throwing unholy parties? 15 And why do you put up with the Nicolaitans, who do the same thing?
The question given by Jesus is why? Why do you put up with evil, why knowingly allow evil within My church?
Revelation 2:15NKJV Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
God detest false doctrine. What is false doctrine? A simple explanation—Anything added to, or taken away from God’s word becomes false doctrine.
Revelation 2:16NKJV Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
Key Point: The Lord’s word is—repent, or else! He goes on to say, I will fight against the guilty, with the ‘sword’ or ‘word’ of My mouth.
Revelation 2:16TM “Enough! Don’t give in to them; I’ll be with you soon. I’m fed up and about to cut them to pieces with my sword-sharp words.
Remember according to Hebrews 4:12, The word of God is sharper than any two-edged- sword, it pierces, it cuts, it divides, it even discerns.
Sometimes we pass right by the next verse, Hebrews 4:13NKJV And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Again, Jesus tells the church to repent! Repent, or else.
Revelation 2:17NKJV “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.”
Maybe that stone will say: Son of God— Howard. Son of God—Paul. Daughter of God— Donna, Daughter of God—Jenny.
What’s that hidden manna? First of all, Manna is set in direct contrast to the things sacrificed to idols. The church was eating earthly pagan food, but the overcomer is promised heavenly food from above!
Upon reaching heaven I believe the overcomer will receive inside information about spiritual things. Nothing hidden, Hidden Manna revealed! P.H
Revelation 2:17TM “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I’ll give the sacred manna to every conqueror; I’ll also give a clear, smooth stone inscribed with your new name, your secret new name.”
You’ll receive from the King of Kings, and Lord of Lord’s—A smooth stone inscribed…
Benediction.
