The Pergamean Church Age

Intro

Text - Revelation 2.12-17

Revelation 2:12–17 NASB 2020

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13 ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold firmly to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 ‘But I have a few things against you, because you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. 15 So you too, have some who in the same way hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will wage war against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Title - The Pergamean Church Age

Series - The Mystery of the Seven Stars and the Seven Golden Lampstands

Background

Pergamum, the city

The city of Pergamum was known for the following:

King Attalus I - he initiated an alliance with Rome

arts and knowledge - it was an artistic and intellectual center in the Greek world

its collection of books - more than 200,000 second only to that of Alexandria in Egypt

its religious centers - it hads temples dedicated to Greek deities, Egyptian deities

its patron deities - Athena, Dionysius, and Asclepius

medicinal art - Asclepion, the schrine of Asclepius (god of healing)

Pergamum, the local church

a Christian community may been established in the city following Paul mission work in Ephesus

Christians were under persecution due to the city heavy focus on traditional Greek-Roman religious life, as well as the imperial cult

Pergamum was a city “where Satan’s throne is, and “where Satan dwells”

this is most likely a reference to the fact that Pergamum was a center of idolatry

The church in Pergamum was infiltrated by a number of false teachings -

the teaching of Balaam

the teaching of the Nicolaitans

Pergamum, the church age

The age

Roy Gingrich - a.d. 313 - a.d 590

Clarence Larkin - a.d 312 - 606

WMB - a.d. 312 - a.d. 606

The Messenger

St Martin of Tours

Church historic events in the 4th-6th century AD

4th Century (312-400)

Empire Tolerates Church -- Emperor Constantine professed Christianity and the church was given legal status. Often you will hear that Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the empire. He didn't. But he did restore its losses and gave it favored treatment as one among many tolerated religions.

Empire Adopts Church --Christianity was officially made the state religion under emperor Theodosius IX in the year 381.

Church Persecutes Opponents -- It started off the century as a persecuted minority. By the end of the century the persecuted church had turned into a persecuting church. Its motives made sense. It saw itself as combating heresy, false religion and evil forces. In many ways it was a different church and a different world at the end of this century.

Church Buildings Flourish -- After legalization the church gets big into real estate. Often its great basilicas are built on the sites of what were formerly pagan temples.

Capital of Empire moves to Constantinople -- In 324 city founded. City dedicated on May 11, 330. Rome no longer the center of power for the empire and church begins to fill in the gap at Rome.

5th Century (401-500)

As the emperor's power declines, the Bishop of Rome's increases. Pope Leo I (440-461) negotiates and saves Rome from Attila the Hun (452). He asserts authority over other bishops, claiming bishop of Rome is successor to Apostle Peter.

Church calendar with the Christian year begins to be in place. Cult of martyrs and relics widespread, and glorification of Virgin Mary grows. Incense is first introduced into a Christian church service in the West.

6th Century (501-600)

Church buildings become more monumental. Justinian builds Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, dedicated to Christ as the "Holy Wisdom." Constructed 532-537.

Dionysius Exiquus (d. c. 550), a monk in Rome, establishes modern system of dating, using events after Christ as "Anno Domini," in the year of our Lord. (He missed the date of Christ's birth by a few years.)

Ecumenical councils during the Pergamean age

also called - general or universal council; bishops and and religious leaders from the east and west parts of Roman empire come together to discuss doctrinal and religious issues

the first 5 general councils took place in this age

the primary issue in these council was about the trinity and place of Christ and Holy Spirit

First Nicea Council (a.d. 325)

Condemned Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ ;

defined the consubstantiality (homoosius) of the Father and the Son;

fixed the date for Easter;

began formulation of Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.

The History of the Church III. The Doctrine of the Church (during the “Pergamos” Period)

Arius, a presbyter in the Alexandrian church, taught (1) that Christ was the offspring of the divine will but not of the divine nature, (2) that Christ was divine but not deity, (3) that Christ was the creator but that He Himself was created (before time began), and (4) that Christ was sinless but not sinless by nature.

Council of Constantinople (381)

Recondemned Arianism;

condemned Macedonianism,

which denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit;

completed the formulation of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.

The History of the Church III. The Doctrine of the Church (during the “Pergamos” Period)

Macedonius, the bishop of Constantinople (A.D. 341–360), taught that the Holy Spirit is a created being, subordinate to the Father and the Son.

Council of Ephesus (ad 431)

Condemned Nestorianism, which denied the unity of the divine and human in Christ;

defined that Mary is the Mother of God (Theotokos), a doctrine denied by the Nestorians and by most of today’s Protestants;

condemned Pelagianism, which held that man could earn his own salvation through his natural powers.

The History of the Church III. The Doctrine of the Church (during the “Pergamos” Period)

Nestorius, the patriarch of Constantinople (A.D. 428–435), taught that the incarnate Christ had two natures mechanically combined. This made Christ to be two persons, God and man, rather than the one God-man.

Council of Chalcedon (ad 451)

Condemned Monophysitism (also called Eutychianism), which denied Christ’s human nature.

The History of the Church III. The Doctrine of the Church (during the “Pergamos” Period)

Eutyches, a monk of Constantinople, taught that the incarnate Christ had two natures fused into one, the divine. This teaching made Christ to be one person with one nature. It denied the humanity of Christ. Some of the later Monophysites taught that the incarnate Christ had two natures fused into a third nature, a theanthropic nature, which differed from both divine nature and human nature.

Second Council of Constantinople (AD 553)

Condemned the Three Chapters, writings tainted by Nestorianism and composed by Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret of Cyr, and Ibas of Edessa.

The Letter

Christ’s salutation

Revelation 2:12 NASB 2020

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:

The two-edged sword

comes out of the mouth of Son of Man - Rev 1.16

Revelation 1:16 NASB 2020

16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

illustrative of the Word of God

Hebrews 4:12 NASB 2020

12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

single-edge vs double-edge swords

Illustrative of the mouth of a servant of God

Isaiah 49:1–3 NASB 2020

1 Listen to Me, you islands, And pay attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called Me from the womb; From the body of My mother He named Me. 2 He has made My mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me; And He has also made Me a sharpened arrow, He has hidden Me in His quiver. 3 He said to Me, “You are My Servant, Israel, In whom I will show My glory.”

Israel - God’s servant who failed

the Christ - the Servant of God who fulfilled the Father’s perfect will

a true servant of God speaks the word of God like a sword -

it penetrates the soul and spirit of men

it is abl to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart

Christ’s commendation

Revelation 2:13 NASB 2020

13 ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold firmly to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

The saints in Pergamean age was faithful to the faith

the faith - the body of doctrines as taught by the apostles and prophets

The Pergamean spirit was discerned as “Satan’s throne” and “where Satan dwells”

idolatry exalts Satan

idolatry welcomes Satan among the people

Historical relevance - the rise of Papacy

Bishops of Rome exalts themselves above all other bishops

Apart from the allusion to Rome in the First Letter of Peter, there is no historical evidence that St. Peter was Rome’s first bishop or that he was martyred in Rome (according to tradition, he was crucified upside down) during a persecution of the Christians in the mid-60s ce.

~ Brittanica Encloipedia

In the critical period between Popes Damasus I (366–384) and Leo I (440–461), nine popes made a strong case for Rome’s supremacy, despite a growing challenge from the see of Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Empire.

~ Britannica Encyclopedia

Bishop of Rome claims the title “Pontifex maximus”

Leo, one of only two popes accorded the appellation “the Great,” played a pivotal role in the early history of the papacy. Assuming the title pontifex maximus, or chief priest, he made an important distinction between the person of the pope and his office, maintaining that the office assumed the full power bestowed on Peter.

~ Britannica Encyclopedia

Bishop of Rome claims the title “Vicar of Christ”

The link between Peter and the office of the bishop of Rome was stressed by Pope Gelasius I (492–496), who was the first pope to be referred to as the “vicar of Christ.” In his “theory of the two swords,” Gelasius articulated a dualistic power structure, insisting that the pope embodied spiritual power while the emperor embodied temporal power. This position, which was supported by Pope Pelagius I (556–561), became an important part of medieval ecclesiology and political theory.

~ Britannica Encyclopedia

Vicar of Christ - means “Instead of the Son of God” (in the place of Christ)

Vicar of Christ is the most explicit proof of the “Antichrist” - instead of the Christ

Satanic spirit - Isaiah 14.13-15

Isaiah 14:13–15 NASB 2020

13 “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. 14 ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15 “Nevertheless you will be brought down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit.

Christ’s complaint

Revelation 2:14–15 NASB 2020

14 ‘But I have a few things against you, because you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. 15 So you too, have some who in the same way hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

The teaching of Balaam is two-fold -

Balaam used his gift for material gain

2 Peter 1:15 NASB 2020

15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

when requested by king Balak to curse Israel, He went because the reward was great, even though God forbade him - Numbers 22

Balaam caused Israel to inter-marry with Moabites - Numbers 25.1-5

Numbers 25:1–5 NASB 2020

1 While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to commit infidelity with the daughters of Moab. 2 For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel became followers of Baal of Peor, and the Lord was angry with Israel. 4 And the Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.” 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you kill his men who have become followers of Baal of Peor.”

Note - the name Pergamum means thoroughly married

Balaam’s strategy caused Israel to commit idolatry and sexual immorality

Toleration of Christianity by Constantine paved the way for faith and politics tobeheld by one office -the.Pope

The teaching of the Nicolaitans -

from deeds to doctrine

the establishment of hierarchy in the church

religious practices that replaced the apostolic ones -

Religious practices in the Pergamean age

The History of the Church (IV. The Worship of the Church (during the “Pergamos’ Period))

A. THE CHURCH’S WORSHIP BECAME FORMAL AND LITURGICAL—The freedom and spontaneity of the worship of the early church had disappeared.

B. THE OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY AS THE CHRISTIAN HOLY DAY WAS FURTHERED BY DECREES OF CONSTANTINE—He made Sunday a civil-service holiday.

C. THE CHURCH BEGAN TO OBSERVE TWO NEW FESTIVALS—Christmas began to be observed as a commemoration of the day of Christ’s birth and Epiphany began to be observed as a commemoration of the divine manifestations at the time of Christ’s baptism.

D. THE VENERATION OF THE SAINTS AND MARTYRS GREW INTO THE ADORATION OF THESE TWO CLASSES OF CHRISTIANS—Also, prayers for the saints and martyrs grew into prayers to them. Churches began to be built over their grave sites.

E. THE VIRGIN MARY WAS HIGHLY EXALTED—She was declared to be a perpetual virgin, she was addressed as “The Mother of God,” and she was invoked in prayer. Commonly, churches were named for her.

F. THE ADORATION AND WORSHIP OF ANGELS BEGAN—This custom met with more opposition than did the custom of worshiping saints.

G. THE CHURCH BUILDINGS WERE ADORNED WITH PICTURES OF APOSTLES, SAINTS, AND MARTYRS—Images of the saints began to be set up in the churches.

H. THE CHURCH BUILDINGS BECAME MORE ELABORATE AND EXPENSIVE—Constantine built or subsidized the building of many of these church buildings.

Christ’s warning

Revelation 2:16 NASB 2020

16 Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.

“I am coming quickly” - refers to His second coming

“I will wage war against them with the sword of my mouth” - refers to the battle of armageddon

Revelation 19:11–15 NASB 2020

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.

Christ’s promise

Revelation 2:17 NASB 2020

17 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.’

the “hidden manna”

Exodus 16:33–35 NASB 2020

33 And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put a full omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord to be kept safe throughout your generations.” 34 As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the Testimony, to be kept. 35 And the sons of Israel ate the manna for forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate the manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.

the hidden manna is that which will not spoil while it remained in the presence of God

the hidden manna is the bread from heaven - Christ

John 6:48–50 NASB 2020

48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down out of heaven, so that anyone may eat from it and not die.

a “white stone” and a “new name”

the white stone served as “access” to certain events in Roman times

2 Peter 1:10–11 NASB 2020

10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

the new name is promised to God’s faithful servants

Isaiah 56:4–6 NASB 2020

4 For this is what the Lord says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold firmly to My covenant, 5 To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial, And a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be eliminated. 6 “Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, To attend to His service and to love the name of the Lord, To be His servants, every one who keeps the Sabbath so as not to profane it, And holds firmly to My covenant;

Isaiah 62:1–2 NASB 2020

1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning. 2 The nations will see your righteousness, And all kings your glory; And you will be called by a new name Which the mouth of the Lord will designate.

Isaiah 65:13–15 NASB 2020

13 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: “Behold, My servants will eat, but you will be hungry. Behold, My servants will drink, but you will be thirsty. Behold, My servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. 14 “Behold, My servants will shout joyfully with a glad heart, But you will cry out from a painful heart, And you will wail from a broken spirit. 15 “You will leave your name as a curse to My chosen ones, And the Lord God will put you to death. But My servants will be called by another name.

Conclusion

The church must not mix the things of the world into her life in Christ - the difference between clean and unclean, holy and unholy, must remain clear!

There is no substitute to the headship of Christ!

Christ is Head of His church through the Word and the Holy Spirit.

Ministers are not called and appointed to lead the church, but to serve Christ and the redeemed people.

SONG - Jesus We Enthrone You