182; 7 Churches; Pergamum; Good Hearts - Bad Doctrine

Intro

Why study the churches of Revelation?

Have you struggled with feeling alone?

Have you ever struggled with persistent sin?

Have you ever wanted to quit?

We all have. Into the middle of the mess of the church, both the good and the bad, Jesus says, “I know.”

Reading the Bible is like looking into a mirror.

Seven churches

Pergamum (show map)

When it came to worship, pick your pleasure!

Dionysus - God of wine-making and unrestrained partying

Some times the partying got so wild, people died

Athena - wisdom

Demeter - guarantee food and crops

Asclepius - God of healing

Snakes!

Wear a stone

Zeus - King of the gods - Zeus Soter

Satan’s throne

Show slide

the smoke of sacrifices went up all day long.

Stone invitation

The folks at Pergamum who became Christians suddenly realized the false gods of society were a problem.

Jesus provides ultimate pleasure, not in wine but in near-proximity to God

Jesus is the true wisdom of God

Jesus is the true provider

Jesus is the true healer

Jesus, not Zeus, is the King of kings and Lord of lords. There is only one name that gives salvation! It’s not Asclepius, or Demeter, or Zeus, It’s Jesus.

Early Christian hymn

Philippians 2:9–11 NIV

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:6–11 NIV

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The name of Jesus stands over and above everything that would draw our affections. That’s why they were called atheists.

It became tough to fit in.

Revelation 2:12–13 NIV

12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

Rev

I know the things you deal with.

I know your struggles

I know how you refuse to give up my name when it gets difficult to be be a Christian.

I know you live where Satan has his throne (idea of currently has his throne)

Antipas - brazen bull? I tend to think he died by the sword.

Wouldn’t it be easier if he move the church out of Pergamum?

healing

Remember, the church has a role inside difficult situations, not observing them from afar.

Revelation 2:14–15 NIV

14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Rev 2:14-15

Difficult to be Christians in a pagan society.

Balaam

Participating in pagan worship activities and provisions.

Sexual immorality

Nicolaitans

Teaching that its okay to go along with the ways of society but to really be a Christian.

Jesus steps in and says, “I know what’s going on.”

It is easy to point fingers at the compromise of these ancient Christians. But do we do the same? Do we compromise in ways that discredit our testimony to Jesus?

Do we find entertainment in things distinctly unChristian?

It’s just entertainment!

Do we fudge the time-clock a bit because we really need a few extra bucks?

What about at tax time?

What about when we’re filing for benefits?

I’m meddling now!

We can’t sing in one way and live another! Jesus says - I’m not having it!

Revelation 2:16 NIV

16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

It’s interesting that in , Balaam was about to be taken out by a sword for his sin. Here the church is repeating the sin of Balaam and Jesus says, “I’ve got a sword for you too.”

This is difficult for me—he’s talking to the church!

Repent!

Wage war with the sword! Jesus intends to purge the church.

Saved by grace but grace understood leads to right living.

Us

Where was there compromise? Ultimately they were being molded by society.

Wage war with the sword! Jesus intends to purge the church

Comprimisers - easy

Everyone else - why

What about in our lives?

Is the way I work, guided by Jesus?

Is the way I parent/family guided by Jesus?

Is the way I do church, guided by Jesus?

To us, Jesus says, “Repent.”

Digging up those things that take root in our lives that make us look like the world.

But notice the pronouns. You (the church) repent or I’ll wage war against them.

This is confusing and you’d almost miss it. He’s telling the entire church to repent.

What repentance is required for those who weren’t involved in the compromise?

They allowed it to happen. Jesus says repent.

Are you willing to confront a brother or sister in Christ that is caught up in a particular sin?

Jesus this seems like you’re asking a lot.

Revelation 2:17 NIV

17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

rev 2:

Hidden Manna (provisions for pilgrims—ark gone now). You don’t need these false gods that promise what they cannot deliver....you need Jesus.

White stone (invitation)