The church of Pergamos
Randall LaVere II
We have been going through the letters to the seven churches. It is important to know that these letters are not dispensational letters, but they are indeed applicable letters to us in our everyday lives. This is the last testament of Christ to the church.
Revelation is broken down into three basic parts. 1. the things which thou hast seen (which is the introduction and the description of the resurrected Christ) see. CH. 1 2. the things which are (the conditions in the church at this time) Ch. 2-3 3. The things which shall be hereafter. (which deals with the rapture of the church, tribulation, seals, judgements, antichrist, destruction of Babylon, the glorious appearing of Christ and heaven in general)Ch. 4-22
Review churches of Ephesus-Jesus had told them that they had left their first love. We need to get back to the place where we were when we first met him. When we had a boldness, and would tell people at the gas station that Jesus loved them.
The church of Smyrna- The key to interpreting the message to the church in Smyrna, was that the church needs to rely to trust in God, that if he has promised a thing it will come to pass. Jesus said in this world we will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.
We now move on to church #3 which is Pergamos. Rev. 2:12-17
The city of Pergamum was well known throughout the region as having the magnificient temple of Aesculapius. (SCULAPIS) This was a famous pagan god who was known for healing. This is why Jesus referred that he knew where satans seat was. It was a meeting ground for pagans and a place where they came together to worship.
12. he which has the sharp sword with two edges. Heb. 4:12 the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword. We know that Jesus Christ is the word of God. So again Jesus is just letting the church know that this message was from him.
13. I know thy works(he knows all about you the intents of your heart……….
Where you dwell-he knows where you were hanging out last night, and what you were doing, and where satans seat is- ….And that you hold fast to my name, and have not denied my faith even when you see people being ostracized and killed for it. No matter how many have fallen, and how bad they are being treated, you still continue to proclaim my name.
14. but I have a few things against you, because you have there them who hold the doctrine of balaam, who taught balaac, and 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 nicolaitines, which thing I hate.
v.14 says you have there them who hold to the doctrine of balaam. His name literally means the devourer. He was originally a pagan spiritualist, or magician. In Joshua 13:22 he is called a soothsayer. Balaam was a man that had the potential to be a mighty servant of God, but what had happened was he mixed the truth with error, and became a false prophet. (Numbers 22-24)
You see, he knew that God was indeed God, but also had lots of other Gods in his life. The bible tells us that no man can serve two masters, for he will love one and hate the other. You can not serve both the lusts of your flesh, and God. The doctrine of balaam is a mingling of the wicked ways of the world, and the church, which ultimately will corrupt biblical principals.
1 Jn. 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but is of the world. 17 and the world passes away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.
Repent or I will come unto thee quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Jesus is the word of God, and he takes doctrine very seriously, and hates all comprimise with immorality. A doctrine is a principle or position, or viewpoint. If someone is teaching or preaching something other than the word of God, they are misleading those around them.
The church is supposed to be the one affecting, and infecting the world. Jesus left very specific instructions in the great commission before ascending to the throne room of heaven.
The mission of the church in acts 1:8 is for us to witness for him everywhere that we go. He said you shall receive power after the holy ghost is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses for me…………….In the Grocery, at the station, on your job, at the mall, to your neighbor. We are supposed to stand out from the rest of the world. Come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord!!!!
Mk.15-18 Go ye into all of the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues, 18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them, they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.
Jesus did not say these signs might follow them who believe, no,no,no he said these signs shall follow them that believe. If you are a believer of Jesus Christ these signs will follow you. What a sign does is let people know what is on the inside.
Lk. 24:47 repentence and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. There are several churches around the country right now as we speak, that will not teach repentence. They are afraid of offending someone, and possibly losing one of their big tithers.
The church has become so politically correct that we will not even tell people the difference between right and wrong. If people can’t come into the church and learn how to live an honest moral life, where else are they going to learn it. How shall they believe on him of who they have not heard, and how shall they hear without a preacher, and how shall they preach unless they be sent.
The church has gone on far enough denying the power of God. The church of today has traded in the banners of biblical doctrine, and Jesus being all that we need, for self-help, prosperity, and success seminars until it resembles a multi-level marketing organization more than a church. Christianity is looking more like a man centered cult, and less like the body of Christ. Or you could say, they have a form of Godliness, but are denying the power therof.
2 Tim. 3 1-5 this know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, coveteous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God: Having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof, from such turn away.
Paul said run away from anyone in a church who has these characteristics. This letter to Timothy was not talking about the people of the world, but the people in the church. This is what happens when we allow false doctrines that are not based solely on the word of God to creep into the church.
We are the body of Christ, and the bible tells us that the light shined in the darkness, but the darkness comprehended it not. If we are the light of the world, then that means that the darkness can’t put us out. Jesus said to peter In Matt. 16:18 Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. In the 18th chapter of Matt. Jesus told his disciples whatever you bind on earth, will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
The church of Jesus Christ was set up for us to be the ones in this earth with dominion and authority. Jesus said I have given you power to tread upon serpents and scorpians. He said all things are under your feet. God told Adam that he had dominion over everything in this earth. We must believe and study the word of God to realize the authority that we are given in this earth. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed…….
2 Chr. 16:19 The eyes of the lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him, herin you have done foolishly, therefore from henceforth, you shall have wars.
God is just looking for someone or some church that he can show himself strong in. We only hear of men of God like Smith Wigglesworth, William Joseph Seymour, or Catherine Coolman every 50-100 yrs. God is desiring to do a great thing in your life, if you will just decide to serve him wholeheartedly. IF you are wondering why you do not have peace, its because your heart is not in the right place. 2 Chr. Says you will have wars in your life if your heart is not in the right place.
If we are not telling people the good news of salvation, and the love of God, they sure are not going to hear it from desperate housewives, or days of our lives, or any show they watch on television.
V17 hiden manna- he will reveal and answer all of the questions that you have had in this earth. A white stone and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, save he that receives it.-These stones were called victory stones. They also meant not guilty. The judges would have two stones, a white stone, and a black stone. If a criminal was given the black stone, he was condemned, If he was given a white stone, he would be pardoned.
Conquerers in the public games were also given white stones with their names on them. These stones entitled them to be supported at public expense for the rest of their lives.
Jesus said repent. Get away from the false doctrines, get away from anyone who blasphemes the power of the Holy Ghost. Change your mind to start studying his word and truly serving him, and become a soul winner for Christ. This is the mission of the Church.
In the book the purpose driven life, Pastor Rick warren is telling the story of how his father was dying of cancer. He was in the final stages of his life, lying on his death bed when all of a sudden he tried to get up out of bed. His wife was sitting next to him, and insisted that he should not get up. But the man kept trying to climb out of is bed. Finally his wife asked, Jimmy what are you doing? He replied by saying Got to save one more for Jesus! Got to save one more for Jesus! He began to repeat this phrase over and over. Durig the next hour he must have repeated the phrase a hundred times, Got to save one more for Jesus! Rick said as he sat there by his bed side, he bowed his head and thanked God for his fathers faith. And as he had his head bowed his father laid his hand on his head, and said save one more for Jesus, Save one more for Jesus.
