Turn Back to the Truth

Tomnolen Baptist Church Revival

February 9-12, 2025.

Message 3

Revelation 2:12–17 “12 “Write to the angel of the church in Pergamum: / Thus says the one who has the sharp, double-edged sword: / 13 I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is. / Yet you are holding on to my name and did not deny your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness who was put to death among you, where Satan lives. // 14 But I have a few things against you. / You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. / 15 In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. // 16 So repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. //17 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. // To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.”

What is the danger of accommodation? It leads to compromise.

R. G. Lee, “Sin will take you father than you intend to go; sin will keep you longer than you intend to stay; sin will cost you more than you intend to pay.”

Acknowledgement [12-13]

You have not denied me even when its tough

Regarding the phrase, “where Satan’s throne is”

Exalting Jesus in Revelation We Must Be Faithful Where We Live

1. The acropolis, which is situated on the plateau and from a distance looks like a throne.

2. The idols, altars, shrines, and temples of Pergamum.

3. The altar to Zeus soter (meaning “savior”) on top of the mountain, a magnificent structure that dominated the city. The legs in the sculpture were serpent’s tails, and such a structure epitomized idolatry and paganism.

4. The cult of Asklepios. The symbol of Asklepios was a serpent, aligned with Satan in 12:9 and 20:2. Members of the cult called Asklepios “savior.”

5.

Worship of the emperor and state were pertinent— patriotism— and Christianity was only welcomed as a private faith, not an open faith. Thus, Jesus commends them for their faithfulness even amidst great difficulty.

Even amidst the martyr of one of their own, Antipas, who Jesus called “my faithful witness” (Ἀντιπᾶς, ὁ μάρτυς μου, ὁ πιστός μου)

Accusation [14-15]

Some have turned aside to false doctrines.

Teaching of Balaam

Taught Balak to cause the Israelites to stumble— while God was providing manna, they turned aside to foods sacrificed to idols (Numbers 25)

Numbers 25:1–3 “1 While Israel was staying in the Acacia Grove, the people began to prostitute themselves with the women of Moab. 2 The women invited them to the sacrifices for their gods, and the people ate and bowed in worship to their gods. 3 So Israel aligned itself with Baal of Peor, and the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.”

Exalting Jesus in Revelation We Must Not Compromise Our Morality (2:14)

The “stumbling block” (skandalon) refers both to immorality and idolatry. They

Teaching of Nicolaitans

Immorality and idolatry

They neglected the teaching of the following verses:

Romans 12:1–2 “1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

James 4:4 “4 You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.”

Exalting Jesus in Revelation We Must Not Compromise Our Morality (2:14)

Pergamum means “thoroughly married.”

John 10:10 “10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.”

Regarding the impact of the teaching of both those holding to Balaam and to the Nicolaitans,

Exalting Jesus in Revelation We Must Not Compromise Our Theology

Theologically they were antinomians, libertines. Doctrine mattered little and behavior mattered even less. With each passing day the distinction between this church and the world become more blurred and less clear. The lifestyle of one was barely distinguishable from the other. Worldliness, compromise, and tolerance had rushed into this church like a flood, and she was on the verge of drowning.

What an apt description of the church in the Western world today! What a gross misunderstanding of grace and the gospel we suffer from today.

Asking [16-17a]

Repent

Or I will make war with them with the Word of God.

Listen

Assurance [17b]

Hidden manna

Exalting Jesus in Revelation Christ Will Nourish Us

The idea of hidden manna reflects a Jewish tradition that the pot of manna that was placed in the ark for a memorial to future generations (

The spiritual nourishment needed for all eternity. (John 6:35 “35 “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.”)

Reward (White stone, new name)

The exact meaning is uncertain, though there are several possibilities.

Acquittal after trial as opposed to a black stone of guilt

Acceptance or entrance when one was presented at a banquet

Victory of our faith in Christ

Summary and takeaway: At minimum, “it points to acceptance and victory in Christ our high priest, Christ our righteousness.” (EJIR)

Regarding the new name, perhaps Revelation 3:12 provides insight: “12 “The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God—the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God—and my new name.”

Scholars speculate this to refer to the intimate communion taking place between believers and God for all of eternity.

Response Questions:

[1] Have you found yourself fallen prey to compromise in the name of loving others?

[2] Do you need to return to the truth in order to be renewed and refreshed in the presence and power of God among His faithful saints?