The Church of Pergamum

Many of you knew Zach and Mackenzie Richardson when they lived here and fellowshipped with us. Lisa and I had the privilege of visiting them on our way home from the IFCA National Convention this summer. They showed us around the family farm and they brought us to the barn where they had all of their tractors and equipment. Zach shared with us that as a kid he would have to run across a large field to get to the river. Standing there that day, we saw that part of the barn wall was hanging over the edge of a drop off that led to the river below. SLOWLY over time the water had eroded the bank of the river back and now it was threatening the very foundation of the barn and everything in it.

The church we are looking at today is very similar. Slowly compromise has encroached upon this church and it is threatening to take out the very foundation upon which it was built!

These are the words that were written to the church in Pergamum… Revelation 2:12-17

Revelation 2:12–17 NASB95

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast 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. ‘But I have a few things against you, because you have there some 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 acts of immorality. ‘So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. ‘Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him 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 but he who receives it.’

The Church of Compromise

We head inland now away from the seaports 20 miles. This like the first two is a wealthy city.

Not only do we see wealth here it is VERY WICKED

Center of the imperial cult, worship of the goddess Roma and the emperor Augustus.

They also worshiped the gods of Athena, Dionysus, & Asklepios

It also boasted a 40 ft altar to Zeus… possibly the reference to “Satan’s Throne”

This city was very adverse to true Christianity being lived out by Christ definition. TRUTH was slowly being eroded away at its foundation due to the evil…

Interestingly the city was well known for its production of “pergamena” named after the city or as it later would be known as… “PARCHMENT” the production of animal skins prepared for writings…

This city boasted one of the largest libraries with a collection of over 200,000 books

The promise of knowledge, the allure of sex and self indulgences, all sorts of worship to idols

This city truly was Satan’s playground, “Sin City”, there was no exaggeration stating this is where he held his throne

AND YET… we find believers choosing to stay here as the church!!!

It is to a church in a city that boasted such a vast volume of books that Christ would refer to Himself with His Word…

Christ Word…

Christ introduces Himself to the church with POWER & AUTHORITY… (We see a Sword) We read in Revelation 1:16

Revelation 1:16 NASB95

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.

This two edged sword is the POWER of His Word… We see Christ when He returns to earth in Revelation 19:14-15

Revelation 19:14–15 NASB95

And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 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.

His Word is bringing JUDGEMENT! Look at what the prophet Isaiah 11:4 declared concerning Christ as King…

Isaiah 11:4 NASB95

But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.

King David would write in Psalm 119:11

Psalm 119:11 NASB95

Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

God’s Word JUDGES our sin… it is a revealer of our sinful ways and hearts! The writer of Hebrews 4:12 declares this concerning the Word of God…

Hebrews 4:12 NASB95

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing 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.

As a sword it is the ONLY piece of ARMOR that we engage with Ephesians 6:17

Ephesians 6:17 NASB95

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

I love that we have a POWERFUL God & Savior! As Christ introduces Himself to this church of Pergamum He is declaring there is some things He is about to deal with but even in the midst of this we feel loved and cared for… PROTECTED!

I Know… your dwelling!

These saints DWELL… reside, have made home, settled in to a place that is EVIL! WOW!… they have chosen to live where it is darkest, in order to shine the LIGHT!

It is also a place where “Satan Dwells” vs 13

This is a place where they are being martyred for their faith!

Antipas… “My witness” a name gives Himself in 3:14

Possibly offered as a sacrifice at the Alter of Zeus

These saints are faithful as they live in this place… aware of the risk!

As many would desire to move to the outskirts of the city, where it is quieter, safer, comfortable… these saints went right to the heart, dwelling in the inner city, in the darkness, in the drudge of the earth!

Commendation- You Hold Fast!

In this difficult place / dwelling “you hold fast My name”… NOT to the many other gods around them!

Affliction came… they did NOT back down, they would NOT deny Christ

Death came, their own martyred… they would NOT back away from standing for Christ

They lived where Satan made his home, had his throne, this was their next door neighbor!!!

With fortitude they stayed, they proclaimed Christ, they would not move!

They stayed in their jobs, they lived in their homes, they worshiped Christ Jesus

WOW! what amazing faith… that kind of “Faithfulness” deserves to be commended

YET… in this church there was a subtle current eroding away their foundation and corruption was occuring…

Concerns… Call Out Sin!

With so much blatant evil all around them it may have been harder to see the small things carving away at the truth of God’s Word…

We can find ourselves comparing actions, others, or even ourselves to those around us or things going on around us rather than to God’s standard…

Paul would warn the elders as he left them in Acts 20:28-30

Acts 20:28–30 NASB95

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

These things had occured in the church in Pergamum… “I have a few things against YOU”

NOTICE the pronouns in verses 14 & 15… “you” vs “some”

Christ is speaking to the FAITHFUL saints in this church!

He is concerned with the faithful ones who have allowed “some” into their midst

Namely those who held to Balaam’s & Nicolaitan’s teachings...

1) hold to Balaam’s teaching:

Balaam in the Old Testament was a false prophet that convinced the wicked king Balak to have the Israelites marry the pagan women and draw the people into idol worship through desire and temptation rather than try and destroy the people outright. this would be subtle and more effective!

It’s okay to get close to the idols, just say Christ is greater

Engage in the pleasures, the sex, the greed, the lust, the selfishness

Enjoy the best of both!…(grace?!) a distorted view and teaching of grace

2) hold to the Nicolaitan’s teaching

Possibly teaching that flesh and spirit are separate

Flesh cannot taint spirit so do in the flesh what it desires

They also taught Jesus did not die in the flesh nor was He flesh because flesh is evil

They negate the incarnation and the propitiation of Jesus Christ!!!

To BOTH of these groups this church had given safe haven to and welcomed in. They talked similar, had some of the similar teachings yet their words held poison and dripped with death… eroding away the foundations of truth!

Paul warned about this in Galatians 1:6-8

Galatians 1:6–8 NASB95

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

These individuals were false teachers, savage wolves, what they spoke was perverse!

The instruction given to these saints is done so with a heart of concern, urgency, and care for what is truly best for this church Christ loves… listen again to His Word of Instruction. Revelation 2:16

Revelation 2:16 NASB95

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

Instruction… “you” Repent!

Did you see the contrast between “YOU” and “THEM”???

Christ is coming quickly, swiftly, and it will be an effective JUDGEMENT!

With the swiftness and power of the Sword of His Word

Christ is holding the saints responsible… “coming to you”

Call sin what it is… SIN!!!

DO NOT allow those who hold to another gospel in your midst

Though they sound similar… they are from the throne of SATAN!!!

His counterfeit, wolves in SHEEP clothing (not real)

God’s Word should convict us of sin… IT WILL.

When it does, church we are to repent!

About face, 180 degree turn! Back to Him, because sin is in absolute OPPOSITION to Him!

A Blessed Promise

“HIDDEN MANNA”

Scripture declares… “man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.” or where Christ refers to Himself declaring, “I am the Bread of Life!” WOW… the very WORD that is for judgement also brings life and sustenance to the believer's life!

“WHITE STONE”

Not really sure what is indicated by the white stone, but we see it as pure, clean, and… it is etched (permanent!!!)

“A NEW NAME”

We belong to Him, in a sin filled city where monuments, temples and alters had carvings on white rock of all these gods… Christ declares I have carved into the stone “a new name” personal to you and me!

I love the hymn that shouts…

“There’s a new name written down in Glory, and it’s mine, Oh yes it’s mine! With my sins forgiven I am bound for heaven, never more to roam!”

Read, Hear, Heed…

We have Read, we have heard these WORDS today… now we come to HEEDING what Christ has expressed to His church.

There are three things I want us to leave understanding and implementing:

1- God’s Word is powerful!! It has both the ability to judge our sin, reveal it to us, and correct us. It also carries the power to nourish, heal, and redeem!

2- There are many counterfeits out there and they are eroding away the foundations of Truth. The best way to spot a counterfeit is to KNOW the Word of the One who is True… the wolves out there are more savage than ever.

3- Many here today and listening are among those Christ calls FAITHFUL. Too often we walk on eggshells not wanting to offend anyone so we stay quiet. We need to call sin what it is… SIN! Where in your life is there slight compromise…

Little white lies, small adjustments on a time card

Small adjustments on taxes

Exaggerations on a resume

Secret brief peeks at internet porn

A little gossip here and there

Indulging with something more than you should

Call sin what it is, recognize it for the savage wolf that it is, … Don’t replace God’s perfect standard with manmade excuses and reasoning.

You and I have that “New Name” because of the price Jesus Christ paid… this love note from Him reminds us how easily we can find ourselves in the same place as these saints in Pergamum…