3. THE CHURCH OF PERGAMOS
THE CHURCH OF PERGAMOS
3. 3. Pergamos — The compromising Church (Revelation 2:12-17) - the church that needed to repent (2:16).
History of the City:
The third church mentioned was in Pergamum. Pergamum is located on the plains and foothills along the Caicus River in Western Turkey. It was considered a major city in Asia Minor since the 3rd century BC, and became a Greek and Roman hub for temple worship. The city had three temples dedicated to the worship of the Roman emperor, another for the goddess Athena, and the Great Altar of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. Many scholars believe this altar is the “seat of Satan” mentioned in the book of Revelation.
The people of Pergamum worshipped a great number (possibly thousands) of Greek and Roman gods, but when Christianity arrived with the belief in just one god, the city’s pagan priests went on the attack and their most famous victim was a man named Antipas.
In the book of Revelation, Jesus called Antipas “my faithful martyr.” According to history, he was the bishop of Pergamum, ordained by the Apostle John, and his faith got the attention of the pagan priests. Antipas was sacrificed to death on the altar of Zeus by the Roman emperor of the time because he would not declare the emperor “lord and god.”
(Revelation 2:12) “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;” To the church that has the ‘sharp two-edged sword’ the Word of God (see Hebrews 4:12).
(Revelation 2:13) “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.” Pergamos was nicknamed “Satan’s City.” The Christians in Pergamos were surrounded by pagan beliefs and practices. In spite of their faithfulness in some areas, the Christians in Pergamos had compromised their faith in others. They had allowed idolatry to creep into their congregation.
(Revelation 2:14) “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So has thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate." It is clear that whoever the Nicolaitans were, they were guilty of the same sins as the doctrine of Balaam, and it is a doctrine that God hates.
What is the doctrine of Balaam? It is the doctrine of fornication and eating things sacrificed to idols. Right before the Jews entered the land of Canaan, they destroyed the kingdoms of Og, king of Bashan, and king of the Amorites. As a result, Balak, the king of Moab, outside of whose land the Jews were camped, feared an attack from the Jews against his country. Thus, he hired a prophet named Balaam (Numbers 22:1-6) to curse the Jews, which he thought would give the Moabites an edge if they were to go to war.
Balaam blessed the Jews instead of cursing them (Numbers 23-24) and Balak was furious. Consequently, Balak dismissed Balaam. Nevertheless, before Balaam returned to his place (Numbers 24-25), he gave Balak counsel (Numbers 31:16) that caused the wrath of God to come against Israel. He counseled Balak to let the daughters of Moab commit whoredom with the Jews and to get them to eat things sacrificed to their idols (Numbers 25:1-3).
The outcome of this doctrine was disastrous. Twenty-four thousand Jews died in a plague that came as a consequence of their sin (Numbers 25:4-9). The Jews had been forbidden to intermingle with the Moabites (Deuteronomy 23:3) and Balaam’s doctrine ran contrary to this command of God.
According to 2 Peter 2:15, Balaam’s ‘way’ is a choice to promote falsehood for financial reasons. According to Jude 1:11, Balaam’s ‘error’ was his willingness to accommodate pagan beliefs out of greed. Jude 1:4 also refers to the sin of those “who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality.” One trait of false teachers in the church is that they attempt to turn Christian liberty into a ‘freedom’ to be promiscuous (Romans 14:1-5).
Putting these ideas together from the Word of God gives a clear view of the “doctrine of Balaam”. It is the attitude that one can be fully cooperative with the world and still serve God. The doctrine of Balaam teaches compromise, wanting Christians to forget they are called to be separate and holy (Leviticus 20:26; 1 Peter 1:2). The doctrine of Balaam introduces pagan worship to intermingle with the worship of God. Balaam knew that if the Israelites adopted pagan ways, God would not bless them as He had done before. And so, the Israelites let the pagans influence them, instead of standing firm on the sure Word of God and His Holy Law!
Satan has used this ‘trick’ time and time again. The church of Pergamos had committed spiritual ‘fornication’ in allowing people to compromise the Word of God and allowing pagan worship to be adopted into the church. Many Christians today introduce and practice Christmas, Easter, and many other holidays, that are clearly rooted in idolatry and paganism, into the worship of God.
Satan is still employing the strategy he used in Pergamos:
What he can’t curse and crush, he can corrupt through compromise.
He has provided stumbling blocks such as pagan holidays to get God’s people to eat things sacrificed to idols and commit spiritual fornication.
Wherever two or three are gathered together in Christ’s name, Satan will be there to try to corrupt the truth.
Speak the Truth in Love
(Ephesians 4:12-15) “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Wherever corruption or compromise tries to gain a foothold, we need to be vigilant, sober, and on guard and speak the truth in love.
Warning (Revelation 2:16) “Repent; or else I will come unto the quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” The sword of His mouth – God’s Word (see Hebrews 4:12). If we read and study God’s Word, we can safeguard ourselves from becoming deceived. And, if ever we find ourselves compromised or deceived God still gives us a chance to repent.
Promise (Revelation 2:17) “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 Hidden Manna (John 6:24-58)
Quite simply, the hidden manna is a symbolic picture of Jesus Christ. As the manna of the Exodus sustained and strengthened the Israelites for the forty years of desert wanderings, so Jesus strengthens and sustains us spiritually as we walk through this life on our way to heaven. Jesus is the “manna” from heaven -- the spiritual sustenance we need -- and it is promised to us (Acts 2:38-39).
Jesus Himself made the connection between the manna of Moses’ day and His own provision of salvation (John 6:48-51, 58). The manna that sustained the Israelites was a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Christ; the manna mentioned in Revelation 2:17 is another, symbolic reference to Christ.
The hidden manna is something you already receive in this life. The manna is “hidden” in that it is given exclusively to believers in Jesus Christ. Only believers will reap the benefits of salvation. The hidden manna is the help you get when you receive Jesus Christ. He is the bread of life. He is the nourishment you receive, the power on high. It is given to everyone who asks for it, everyone with a longing to be free from sin. The “hidden manna” is given to those who overcome and gives vitality and eternal life!
The White Stone and New Name
At the time the book of Revelation was written, a white stone was equivalent with innocence. If you were to be tried for a crime, a white stone signified acquittal, and a black stone signified guilt. To receive a white stone means that you are free from condemnation. You have been tried and found not guilty. Therefore, when Christ offered “a white stone” it meant: “I have reviewed all the evidence and I have judged you not guilty!”
Jesus’ message to this church, and to us today, was that regardless of who they had been or what they had done before they came to Christ, what mattered now was who they had become in Christ. Viewing them in the light of His blood, Jesus has cast “a white stone” in their direction, affirming their full acquittal and complete release from their past sinful lives and memories. Regardless of any actions we may have committed in the past, Jesus’ blood has purged our conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14).
(Today I want to tell you that if you have been forgiven and washed in the precious blood of Jesus, you are forgiven -- period. The devil may try to hassle you in your mind and torment you with past memories that God Himself doesn’t even remember. But just realize that Christ has reviewed all the evidence, and since His blood was applied to your life, He has found you completely blameless and free of shame. You can throw off all despair and start rejoicing, because the one vote that really matters has been cast in your favor!)
God gives you a new name that only you and He know. That means we can have a personal relationship with Jesus for ourselves. No one has to go to God for us, we can approach the throne of God for ourselves (Hebrews 4:15-16). This new name that only He and you know is the testimony of your spirit, it’s how God sees you. He doesn’t see what you were according to your human nature. He sees the new creation in you, the result of your faithfulness to Him and His commandments (2 Corinthians 5:17). It will be the ultimate symbol of victory and transformation. And that is what you will be for all eternity!
LESSONS FOR US:
Remember the Lesson from Pergamos
Guard against the dilution of true doctrine by false teaching and false leaders. (2 John 1:10-11) “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (Galatians 1:8-9), “But thou we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” That’s a pretty strong message! If that makes us intolerant in the eyes of some, then so be it. Christ will commend us just as He did Antipas, His “faithful martyr.”
And to us that overcome, God will find blameless!
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