The Pergamos Church
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THE PERGAMOS CHURCH
The Pergamos church was known for its toleration of sin. One cannot tolerate sin in his life without it affecting his spiritual life. The same is true for churches. A compromising church will lose its influence and power. The person and church should hate sin, but love the sinner.
I. THE CHURCH—vv.
I. THE CHURCH—vv.
A. Place—v. . The Pergamos church was located fifty miles north of Smyrna.
A. Place—v. . The Pergamos church was located fifty miles north of Smyrna.
B. Persistence—v. . They were faithful to God in the midst of satanic power. Their faithfulness was revealed by the fact that they stayed true to God even after the slaying of Antipas. These people knew the reality of .
B. Persistence—v. . They were faithful to God in the midst of satanic power. Their faithfulness was revealed by the fact that they stayed true to God even after the slaying of Antipas. These people knew the reality of .
C. God knew the people.
C. God knew the people.
1. I know thy works.
1. I know thy works.
2. I know where thou dwellest.
2. I know where thou dwellest.
3. Thou holdest fast my name.
3. Thou holdest fast my name.
4. Thou hast not denied my name.
4. Thou hast not denied my name.
II. THE COMPLAINT—vv.
II. THE COMPLAINT—vv.
A. Sinful problem—v. . “And yet I have a few things against you. You tolerate some among you who do as Balaam did when he taught Balak how to ruin the people of Israel by involving them in sexual sin and encouraging them to go to idol feasts” (LB).
A. Sinful problem—v. . “And yet I have a few things against you. You tolerate some among you who do as Balaam did when he taught Balak how to ruin the people of Israel by involving them in sexual sin and encouraging them to go to idol feasts” (LB).
B. Sinful practice—v. . The sins of Nicolaitanes were the sins of sexual impurity (adultery and fornication).
B. Sinful practice—v. . The sins of Nicolaitanes were the sins of sexual impurity (adultery and fornication).
C. Sincere purity. Purity is a personal matter. See ; ; .
C. Sincere purity. Purity is a personal matter. See ; ; .
Christian liberty is not a license to live as we please. We must live according to the laws of God.
III. THE CHOICE—v.
III. THE CHOICE—v.
A. Denouncement. The word repent has several meanings.
A. Denouncement. The word repent has several meanings.
1. To change
1. To change
2. Sorry enough to quit sinning
2. Sorry enough to quit sinning
3. Mourning for faults and failures (cf. )
3. Mourning for faults and failures (cf. )
B. Destruction. If they did not repent, God would come and destroy them.
B. Destruction. If they did not repent, God would come and destroy them.
IV. THE COMPENSATION—v.
IV. THE COMPENSATION—v.
A. Opening. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Note the words, “They have ears, but they hear not” ().
A. Opening. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Note the words, “They have ears, but they hear not” ().
B. Overcoming. “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.” This speaks of eternal life (; ). The white stone represents innocence; the black stone represents guilt.
B. Overcoming. “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.” This speaks of eternal life (; ). The white stone represents innocence; the black stone represents guilt.
The person who thinks lightly of sin, thinks lightly of God. All hidden sin will some day be revealed. If a person’s sin is not revealed on earth, it will be revealed at the last great judgment day (). The church should not tolerate sin. Sin should be exposed, confessed, and removed. When this is done, God’s power will come to the person, as well as to the church.
Pentz, C. M. (1978). Outlines on Revelation (pp. 21–22). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.