Title: The Revelation of Jesus Christ - Part 5
Text: Rev. 2: 12-17
Key v. 14
Thus far we have studied two churches of the seven Jesus evaluated:
Ephesus -The Careless Church – Who was warned not to abandon her first love with Jesus, but to go back (repent) and do the first works when she first fell in love with Jesus, and was motivated by her love and passion for Him. She needed to get out of the rut of routine, and rekindle her flame of love for the Master, and His Eternal Kingdom. Or else her light (influence) would go out. Today the glorious city of Ephesus is today but a heap of stones and no light is shining there. [BE Comment.]
Smyrna -The Crowned Church – This was a very poor church who faced persecution and suffered greatly at the hands of the Romans and their fellow Jews who were Jews culturally but not in heart. Jesus told them:Rev 2:10- Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. NKJV
Note: Smyrna was one of two church which Jesus did not rebuke, only commended. Why?
- Rev 12:11- 11 "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. NASU
- James 1:12- 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of lifewhich the Lord has promised to those who love Him. NASU
The believers during New Testament times lived a life of self-denial, they took up their cross and followed Jesus even unto the death. Today many who claim to be believers do not live a life of self-denial, they live for themselves, and self is elevated above others. Paul told Timothy that in the last days
2 Tim.3: 1-5 – In the last day’s men would be lovers of themselves!
2 Tim 3:1-5- 3 You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. 3 They will be hardheaded and never give in to others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good. 4 They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshiping God. 5 They will go to church, yes, but they won't really believe anything they hear. Don't be taken in by people like that. TLBIn other words, they live a life of compromise. They will not take a stand or anchor themselves on the truth of God’s Word, they rather give in or give up on the clear standards of God’s Word for the sake of being accepted rather than rejected by others. Yet, Jesus said: Matt 10:33-34- 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. KJV
[Today we want to study this third church.]
Pergamos – The Compromising Church – v. 12- 17
Pergamos means "married," and this church was wedded to some doctrines and practices that were wrong.
- The Counselor – Jesus who counsels all the churches carries his two – edged sword. V.12 cp. 1:16; 2:16- The two- edged sword refers to the Word of God (Heb.4:12). Jesus is the one who wields it with full authority. The believers of Pergamos are reminded that they will be judged by Jesus and His WordV.12. - In Rev.19:15,16 –
15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. NKJV
- The commendation – V.13
1. They remain faithful even though living in Satan’s headquarters. 13a
2. One of their members, Antipas, had become a martyr. 13b
Today there are many believers living in Countries where Christianity is not freely allowed(China, N. Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, etc., and in a lot of cases believers are routinely incarcerated, persecuted and even martyred. -Pergamos was such a city with the first temple dedicated to Caesar and was a rabid promoter of the imperial cult. This is probably what is meant by “Satan seat” v.13. They also had a temple dedicated to Aesculapius, the god of healing, whose insignia was the entwined serpent on the staff, used today as a medical symbol. Note: Rev.6:9-11 says there will be martyrs until Jesus returns to judge this world.
- The chastening (for compromising) – v.14,15
- They are tolerating the teachings of Balaam. V.14
- They are tolerating the teachings of the Nicolaitans. V.15
1. The doctrine of Balaam (v. 14, see also Num 22-25).
Balaam was a hireling prophet who led the people of Israel into sin in return for the wealth and prestige he received. He encouraged Israel to worship heathen idols and indulge in fornication. At Pergamos the church was wedded to the world in order to get worldly advantages.
2. The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes (v. 15, see also v. 6).
What began as "deeds" in one church is now a settled doctrine in another. We now have this church divided into "priests" and "people''(Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament).
- The counsel – V.16
Repent or be punished.
Five of the seven churches are commanded to repent.Repentis a command that applies to Christians, not only to those who first come to Jesus.
Or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth: Unless they dorepent, the Christians of Pergamos will face the Jesus who has the two-edged sword. Judgment will begin at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17).
i.The sword of My mouth: When Jesus comesagainstthe Christians of Pergamos, He will confront them with His Word.
- The challenge – V.17
- To partake of the hidden manna. v.17a
- To be given a white stone with a new name. v.17b
Just as Israel received manna, God promises to give the true believer the spiritual bread the unbelieving world cannot see: Jesus Christ –
John 6:51- 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." NKJV
White stone – When an athlete won in the games, he was often given, as part of his prize, a white stone which was an admission pass to the winner’s celebration afterwards. This may picture the moment when the overcomer will receive his ticket to the eternal victory celebration in heaven.
New name – A personal message from Christ to the ones He loves, which serves as their admission pass into eternal glory. It is so personal that only the person who receives it will know what it is.
Conclusion: To compromise is to make concessions or accommodations for someone who does not agree with a prevalent set of standards or rules. The Bible makes it clear that God does not condone compromising His standards: “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in His paths. You have charged us to keep Your commandments carefully” (Psalm 119:1-4, NLT)