The Compromising Church

A study on Revelation

The Compromising Church

Rev. 2:12-17

Message 7

Theme: God shows His heart towards compromise.

Introduction: The term apostasy means a falling away. As you study the seven churches here, there will be an apparent apostasy that occurring in the churches. The first church, Ephesus, starts off doctrinally clean and eventually become indifferent to the things of God. The second church, Smyrna was a persecuted church which came from the “religious” crowd. Though the church Smyrna did not seem to have departed from the faith, they were persecuted by those who have. The church of Pergamos a compromising church. The church is one who tolerates and accepts everybody and everything. The church in Pergamos has tremendous growth but they are in spiritual decline.

A compromising church is an unbiblical church. While the church doors are open for anyone to attend, we cannot affirm or condone any lifestyle that goes against the Bible. When a church begins to compromise in their methods, it won’t be long before their message becomes compromised.

I. The setting v. 12

A. The message

1. Addressed to the angel which is the pastor.

2. Jesus says: sharp sword with two edges

3. Speaks of sharp discernment, of separation, of offensive weapon.

4. Separation is taught in God’s Word

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2 Corinthians 6:14–17)

5. A church must be separate from things that will defile them.

B. The city

60 miles north of Smyrna-the city is not equal to Ephesus in trade but of great political importance. The chief city of Attalid Kingdom or Kingdom of Pergamos. (building remains back to the first century) This is modern day Bergama a part of Izmir. It was built on a 1300 foot high mountain overlooking the Caicus River Valley. The city had a beautiful 20 thousand seat amphitheater. There was a famous library second only to Alexandria Library. The Pergamos library had over 200 thousand volumes. This the place where parchments were invented. The name means thoroughly married. It is called the place of Satan’s seat-three religions with a host of demonic activity.

Asklepios-god of healing. Serpents near here-the serpents entwined a staff was used an insignia. The treatment was a combination of medicine, psychology, and superstition. Doctors used exercise, massage, diet, rest, sun baths, mineral baths, and herbs. Tamed snakes also licked the spot of affliction. Luke could have possibly worked here. There was a massive cathedral.

Zeus-the god of the Hellenic theology-the god of Antiochus Epiphanes who defiled the Jewish altar in 168 BC.

Roman emperor worship.

The high Babylonian mystical priesthood, which taught the religion of Semiramis, Tammuz, and Nimrod who taught the virgin born Tammuz, who had the sign of the cross, born on December 25 with holly, mistletoe, yule logs, rings, beads was moved from Babylon to Pergamos in 133 BC. Later was moved to Rome in 313 AD.

II. The commendation v. 13

A. Their dwelling

1. Place of Satan’s domain-it was a very religious city-darkened by paganism-controlled by Satan.

2. Thou dwellest-place of permanency-God placed them there-we should not flee difficulties-God needs a witness in these places-many fleeing CA, there should be a witness.

3. Pergamos had the healing crowd, always easier to get a crowd for healing, than a crowd for preaching.

4. Satan is the god of this age and does the healing.

B. Their faithfulness

1. Held fast His name-held on to Christ.

2. Even in times of opposition, they would not give up the name of Christ.

3. True to his faith even unto death-Antipas-“my” faithful.

III. The condemnation vv. 14-15

A. Tolerated wrong doctrine of Balaam v. 14

1. Balaam’s teaching to Balak was to corrupt people whom God would not curse.

2. Balak king of Moab hired Balaan to pronounce a curse on Israel-God prohibited that, so Balaam told Balak to teach Israel to intermarry with the Moabites (compromise and disobedience) and God will judge them.

3. Philosophy or religion of compromise-Christians would be able to participate in special meals given by the priests of the temple. Pagan priests would take left over sacrificial meat and have a meal.

4. Immorality was involved-needed to purged out and not tolerated.

B. Tolerated wrong doctrine of Nicolaitans v. 15

1. Goes back to 2:6-teaching that the priest has the right to lord over the laity.

2. The idea that all authoritative teaching is found in the religious practitioners.

IV. The correction vv. 16-17

A. Repent v. 16

1. Turn from your compromise-change your mind and direction.

2. God will bring judgement by His Word.

B. Overcome v.17

1. Those who refused to compromise-true saints who endure any persecution of the enemy-Christ will feed them spiritually as the Living Bread taken from the manna in the wilderness.

2. White stone-uncertain-may refer to a guiltless person-those who are in Christ.

3. They will be given a special name: Overcomers

Conclusion: In the middle of all the compromise, worldliness, and apostasy, God has a faithful remnant. In a woke culture with confused teaching, we must go back to God’s Holy Word. God is calling us back to Himself.