The Seven (Pergamum) (2)

Follow your heart.

God won’t give you anything you can’t handle.

God helps those who help themselves.

God wants you to be happy.

Everything happens for a reason.

My faith is personal and private.

Sow a seed, reep a miracle.

Good vibes only.

If it feels right, it must be right.

Raise your hand if you have received any of these statements or pieces of advice before?

All of these have one thing in common-

They are all unbiblical.

All across the American church, simple, masked false teachings have crept into their messages and conversations.

In a world where information is at our fingertips, we gather, study, and indulge in everything that peaks our interest.

Breaking News is heard immediately.

Needed information for directions, instructions, and clarity can be gained at any moment in no time.

But when it comes to learning to live according to the teachings of Jesus, we often get to it when we can or if we can.

As a result, when the world tries to sway us one way, our illiteracy and our lack in desiring to know truth, is put to the side.

The back door of our churches remain cracked open.

Next thing you know, what we strive to keep out of the house comes crawling in, dining with us at our tables, leading us to destruction.

Think about what a back door is to a home.

Private access. Bypasses authority. Unchecked access.

The back door is for close friends and family…

It is unguarded. And when it’s left open, it is a prime opportunity for the enemy to enter unseen.

In Revelation 2, we have learned about the first two churches, Ephesus and Smyrna.

This morning, our eyes turn to the church in Pergamum.

If you look on the screens, you will see a map of where these cities and churches are.

30-40 miles between Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum.

Pergamum was a center of political and religious power.

It was a wealthy and influential city. It once was the former capital of the roman province of Asia.

it had a strong allegiance with Rome- it was the first city to build a temple to Caesar Augustus. (29 BC)

Because of this, Pergamum was the center of Emporer worship.

Refusal to state, “Caesar is Lord” would be considered treason…

Pergamum was also the center for Pagan religions.

With temples full of greek and roman god’s, instead of mountains, it was a city of columns representing a culture saturated with individualism and the pursuit of personal desires.

Religions were a form of self serving ideologies. “What can I get from worshipping this god?”

One of the most prominent and well known buildings was the altar of Zeus, the greek God.

The temple offered animal sacrifices day and night as incense that encompassed the city…

*Show Picture

Can you see the imagery of a throne room?

It’s architec reminds us of another building that might be familiar to some…

*Show picture of the Zeppelintribüne

In the 1870’s, the Altar of Zeus was excavated by German archeologists and brought it to Berlin.

In the early 20th century, it was reconstructed in the Pergamon Museum.

This museum was often visited by Nazi’s, including Hitler himself.

Hitler was captivated by it’s history. He was influenced by symbols of imperial power and reportedly spent long periods contemplating the altar.

Hitler’s architect, Albert Speer, modeled the design of the Zeppelintribüne in Nuremberg, Germany after the Altar of Zeus- a place where the infamous Nazi Rallies would take place. (1930’s)

From this place, Hitler would mesmerize crowds while stripping the jewish people from their rights.

An architecture modeled after the former altar where animals were sacrificed… consider this…

Remember the name of the movement Hitler led to wipe out the jewish race?

Holocaust.

What does the word Holocaust mean in the greek?

A sacrificial offering that is completely burned.

Hitler used the symbolism of the altar of Zeus as a throne of evil.

To overlook the role of Satan’s influence among a city is to diminish the truth of the Bible.

It was in the city of Pergamum that the church was faced with pressures to compromise.

The city was given permission by the Roman government to actually execute christians.

The church is centered in a very hostile environment filled with paganism, imperialism, saturated in individualism.

So here we are, the city of Pergamum. It’s mountains are it’s temples and it’s clouds are the offerings to gods… This is the context the church of Pergamum lies in… where to compromise is incentivized.

…but then Jesus comes in…

Revelation 2:12–17 ESV

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Right off the bat, Jesus claims to be the sharp, two-edged sword.

Pergamum held “the right of the sword.”

It was known throughout the region as “The city of the sword.”

This meant the Roman governor could legally execute anyone.

Jesus using this description is telling the church…

“I, not Rome, have the ultimate authority over life, death, and judgement.”

This is a statement of comfort for those living faithfully, but also of judgement of those persecuting AND those compromising with pagan practices.

The people of the church in Pergamum faced a choice that we have to face today as well…

Which sword will we fear the most?

Will you fear our culture’s sword that leads to a compromised life?

Or.

Will you fear the word of the Lord, the true double edged sword that protects the faithful and brings judgement on those who reject Him?

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

This is the reminder given before the remaining passage…

Jesus continues…

Revelation 2:13 ESV

13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

Satan’s throne…

It was obvious that satan was present.

Jesus is giving them a wink expressing He is completely aware of the pressures that are felt.

But then He commends them for being faithful in the midst of persecution and pressure.

But who is Antipas?

According to early church tradition, Antipas could have been one of the early church leaders in Pergamum.

Tradition says he was a disciple of John and and was killed by being burned alive.

This is the only place he is mentioned in all of the Bible… notice how he is described.

Revelation 2:13 ESV

…and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

The title Jesus uses to describe Antipas was the same title He used to describe Himself…

Revelation 1:5 ESV

5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Jesus commended his servant Antipas because Antipas lived a life like Him.

A life modeled after Jesus is a life of submission and sacrifice.

This is faithfulness!

Jesus, after celebrating an example of faithfulness, directs the letter to those who need to be challenged and corrected…

Revelation 2:14–15 ESV

14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Remember out talk earlier, in most cases of churches that are compromised, it’s not because the front door that was bolted properly was knocked down by Satan, it’s because he enters the back door that was left unlocked.

Jesus is speaking to a circumstance where compromising people had infiltrated the church and were holding fast to doctrines/beliefs that were not according to the teachings of Jesus.

These people were called Nicolaitans.

They might sound familiar because they were referenced in the letter to the Ephesians as well!

They were known for teaching “the doctrine of Balaam.”

Scholars believe the Nicolaitans were an orthodoc sect, teaching that you could be a good follower of Jesus and still behave like the rest of the world.

If they had a slogan, it would be this… “Worship God on Sunday, do whatever you want on Monday-Saturday.”

Who is Balaam? (We don’t have time to share the stroy- Numbers 22-25)

Balaam was a prophet in the book of Numbers who used his God-given influence and talents to obtain what he desired based on his own greed.

It treats sin in a way that degrades it’s destruction.

Therefore, practically, the teaching of Balaam is as follows…

Christians can—or even should—compromise their convictions for the sake of popularity, money, sexual gratification, or personal gain.

Bad beliefs lead to bad behaviors.

For the church in Pergamum, the Nicolaitins were influencing them by saying… “There is nothing wrong with being friendly to Rome. A pinch of incense on the altar and affirming loyalty to Caesar won’t hurt you!

The church was supposed to be in Pergamum, but the Pergamum had gotten inside the church! (JJ Johnson)

The temptation to compromise is defeated by our commitment to God’s word.

To discern what is false is proceeded by knowing what is true.

Temptations will fly causing you to consider to compromise to achieve personal advancement.

The name Pergamum means, “married.”

Let this be a reminder that the church, you and I, are committed to a relationship with Jesus!

What I am about to say might come with a heavy impression, but I want you to receive the warning Jesus is giving the church in Pergamum…

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Christ and the Churches, Part 1 (Revelation 2)

The congregation or the individual Christian that compromises with the world just to avoid suffering or achieve success is committing “spiritual adultery” and being unfaithful to the Lord.

When we abandon our commitment to Christ, we commit adultery with the world.

When you hear this statement, what is your initial response?

Do you justify the priorities you currently have set?

Does conviction drive you away from considering what this means?

Does guilt begin gaining ground in your heart and mind?

As we conclude this passage, let the words and warnings of Jesus meet you where you are at…

Revelation 2:16–17 ESV

16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

I love the phrase in verse 17…

“To the one…”

Jesus ends by talking to the individual.

Although this letter isn’t written to us, it is for us.

Let these intentional words speak to you in this moment…

In this passage, Jesus commands us an encourages us.

The first command is to repent. We do this by abandoning our ties to the temptations of this world…

We continue to establish and strengthen our commitment to Jesus.

There is a reference to manna- the bread that God provided to the nation of Israel as they traveled through the dry and desolate desert.

When traveling, this bread was hidden in what was called the ark of the covenant…

This furniture or chest contained the commandments God gave Moses, the ten commandments as we know it, and a piece of the manna God provided to remind the people of His faithfulness.

The only person who had access to this ark was the high priest.

What Jesus is saying in this passage is this-

If you repent, you will be satisfied, not by basic tangible bread, but by my word- the bread of life…

John 6:32–40 ESV

32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

The world may tell you that its ok to compromise if it gets you the promotion.

It may say that the overindulgence in alcohol is not that bad.

It may pressure you to hold a popular opinion out of a call for love defined by our culture…

To give up on a marriage or relationship because it’s not worth it

But at the end of the day, these false teachings, especially when they creep into the church through the backdoor, are only exposed by the truth of God’s word and a right relationship with Jesus…

If you eat from this bread, you will receive a white stone with your name on it…

A white stone during this time was used for multiple things…

My two favorite uses of the white stone during this time were.

Innocence in a court room. (black vs white stone)

Wedding invitation

In short, it represents a declaration that we have been made righteous. An invitation. A sign of forgiveness.. Confirmation that we will be rewarded for our faithfulness in this world…

Then there is the encouragement.

Revelation 2:16 ESV

16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

Jesus will not tolerate sin in the house of his people.

If repentance is not the response of those indulging in the things of this world, Jesus will ensure you get what you desire- which is what is owed…

This passage is a reminder that Jesus is walking among us, with a sword in hand and love in His heart…

His desire is to hand you the stone.