THE CHURCH WHO COMPROMISED
REVELATION 2:12-17
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.
I. THE PROBLEMS THEY WERE FACING. (12,13)
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.
A. HE KNEW THE CONDITIONS THEY WERE FACING.
1. He knew the temptation to which they were exposed.
“I know thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is”
2. He knew the trouble they encountered
“Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you”
B. HE COMMENDS THEM FOR THEIR FAITHFULNESS.
“Thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith”
1. They were not ashamed of the Savior.
2. They were not ashamed to suffer.
II. THE POSITION THEY WERE FALLEN. (14-16)
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.
A. THE CHRUCH BEGAN TO RELAX.
1. They began to tolerate idolatry.
2. They began to tolerate immorality.
3. They began to tolerate infidelity.
B. HE CALLS THEM TO REPENTANCE.
III. THEIR PROSPECT FOR THE FUTURE. (17)
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.
A. THE CHALLENGE THAT IS PRESENTED
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”
B. THE COVENANT THAT WAS PLEDGED.
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.
