The Seven (Pergamum)

Pergamum stands out for being a place of intense spiritual warfare and cultural compromise- warned to purify itself from internal corruption.

One of the oldest cities in the world

Built on a hill, the exalted city

Guarding your backdoor prevents unseen attacks

“satans thone” - Altar of Zeus, center of emperor worship, pagan temples including Asclepius god of healing.

Church is faithful despite hostile environment

Warned against compromise

People here faced intellectual, cultural, and religious pressure to conform

Who left the back door unlocked?

Backdoor- private access bypassing authority, small unchecked access

The backdoor: idolatry and sexual immorality

No pressure from the outside? Satan will insight pressure from the inside.

Nicolaitans: suggesting Christians could participate in the imperial cult and other pagan rituals

God’s call to be set a part and our call to be relative

Man’s reward in heaven (Mana, white stone, new name) vs Man’s reward on earth.

Who do you hold on to?

Hold fast to Jesus or teachings on Balam

If culture can’t defeat us, it will seek to corrupt us.

Grace without repentance

Grace like a lisence, not a lifeline

Relevancy trumping reverency (We don’t want to offend anyone)

Prosperity without purity

Performance over purity

toleration isn’t acceptance

Balam’s teachings- compromise under a spiritual cloak for the sake of gaining influence, prosperity, and/or power.

You cannot curse what is blessed, but you can corrupt it from within.

John 10:1 ESV

1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.