Revelation 2 - Smyrna and Pergamum

The Churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia (3:7-13) are the only two churches that do not receive a rebuke from the Lord.

The city of Smyrna was about 25 miles north of Ephesus and was nicknamed the “Port of Asia” because of its harbor on the Aegean Sea.

However, the persecution of Christians was inevitable in this city due to an anti-Christian Jewish population and a gentile population that supported and worshipped the Roman Empire.

The Jews of Smyrna and us today, need to always remember that persecution comes from Satan, not from God. Satan, may harm our earthly bodies, but there is nothing that he can do to us spiritually.

The “synagogue of Satan” means that those Jews we're serving Satan's purposes when they gathered to worship - and though the believers of Smyrna would experience 10 days of intense persecution, God reassures them of the crown of life that was to follow.

We face the same reality today - pain is a part of life, it is never easy, but we see Jesus commend the church at Smyrna for its faithfulness in the midst of their suffering.

Believer…. You do not have to fear the future physically… if you are being faithful to God spiritually.

When you find yourself experiencing difficult times, do not let them turn you away from the Lord.

Instead, allow your circumstance to draw you to greater faithfulness.

Trust God and look toward Heaven!

Rev. 22:12-14 - “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

Smyrna was famous for its athletic games with the champion receiving a victory wreath. In the same way when we champion life we will receive a prize of victory - eternal life!

God's message to Smyrna was to remain faithful during their suffering to rely on his control and his promises.

Jesus never said that following him would spare us from troubles, suffering, or persecution. Rather we must be faithful to him in our sufferings. Only then will our faith prove to be genuine. We remain faithful by keeping our eyes on Christ in what he promises us now and in the future.

2 Timothy 4:8 - Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Pergamum

In contrast to the city of Smyrna, the city of Pergamum was not a port city but was built on a heel 1000 feet above the surrounding countryside

The city was a center for Greek culture and education and possessed a 200,000 volume library.

The problem is in addition to its library it was also the home of four cults and rivaled the idol worship of Ephesus.

Asclepius was the idol of choice for most of the people of Pergamum, which was symbolized by a serpent and considered the God of healing. People would come from all over the world to seek healing from this idol.

The three other idolatrous cults worshipped Zeus, Dionysius, and Athene which was also surrounded by Satan worship and worship of the Roman Emperor.

In their day, verse 13 tells us that Antipas who was faithful to the Lord, was killed by Satan worshippers. And even through this, the church at Pergamum stood firm against the pressures and temptations of their society.

Listen… standing for the Lord against your culture and society will never be easy… but the alternative is deadly!

Rev. 2:11 - He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

As a believer there is room for differences in opinion amongst Christians in some areas, however we should never compromise our position for Christ…… there is no room amongst the people of God for heresy or moral impurity.

And even though our town, Diboll Texas, to my knowledge does not participate in public idolatrous feasts, there’s without a doubt some people who fill this city that do participate in things like pornography, sexual sin, cheating, gossiping, lying, etc.

And this is where the Lord takes issue with the believers of Pergamum Because they were tolerating and allowing people to come into the church who were leading people away from the Lord, just as King Balak directed Balaam to lead the Israelites into idolatry in Numbers 22-24.

We as the people of God should never tolerate sin by bowing down to society’s call to be open minded.

In concerning the area of sin, I pray we are all dubbed “Biblical Bigots!”

Definition - a person who is unreasonably attached to a belief (the gospel) especially one who is prejudiced against someone or something, (sin/false teaching) on the basis of their membership of a particular group.