Rev 2:12-17 Pregamos

Pergamos – known as the compromising church, represents 313-600 AD. The name means objectionable marriage. During this period Constantine comes to power after having a vision of a flaming cross, and hearing a voice saying “ under this sign conquer”.

It is questionable as to whether Constantine became a “born again” but he did win the battle and became emperor.

In AD 313 he declared that Christians were no longer to be persecuted and made Christianity the state religion. As there were long established pagan religions with temples and traditions including a priestly hierarchy, he took many of the pagan practices and just put Christian names on them.

All pagan religious practices have their beginnings in the Babylonian Mystery Religion.

Q- Do you ever wonder where our Christmas and Easter traditions come from?

Nimrod, Simmeramis and Tamouz (baby)

Aka- Venus and Cupid, Aphrodite and Aros, Isis and Horas, Ashtarte and Tamouz

Saturnalia- Celebrated at the winter solstice, late December, celebrates the resurrection of Tamouz.

Yule Log? Chaldean word for child is “Yule”. The log is burned and replaced with an evergreen tree. Jeremiah 10: 3-4

The Babylonian priest sat on a throne labled “pontifus maximus”, wearin the tall “fish Hat”.

So Constantine, married the church with political power and paganism.

Rev 2: 12-17

P6

V12 Jesus focus his attention on his “double-edged sword”. His word.

V13 Satan’s throne- there was a huge platform or altar built for “Zeus” worship called Zeus’ seat.

Pergamos was especially known as a center for the worship of the deity known as Asclepios. Represented by a serpent, Asclepios was the god of healing and knowledge. There was a medical school at his temple in Pergamos. Because of the famous temple to the Roman god of healing, sick and diseased people from all over the Roman Empire flocked to Pergamos for relief.

i. "Sufferers were allowed to spend the night in the darkness of the temple. In the temple there were tame snakes. In the night the sufferer might be touched by one of these tame and harmless snakes as it glided over the ground on which he lay. The touch of the snake was held to be the touch of the god himself, and the touch was held to bring health and healing." (Barclay)

V13- Yet, this are tough but their were some who were true to Jesus’ name.

Who was Antipas? Article

V14 – Corrective exhortation: teaching of Balaam: allowing food offered to idols and sexual immorality. See Num 25:1-2 , 31:16

He taught Israel how to compromise with the world.

V15 Nicolatines- beginnings of the church hierarchy. (Conquering the Laity)

V16 Repent- Jesus will fight against them with his Word.

V17- Message to all who have an ear:

Overcomers will receive hidden manna (hidden would be important as they lived among secret religions). We get the hidden manna directly from fellowship with Jesus.

White stone- used in voting, (black-balled) With a special new name on it.