The Compromising Church: Pergamum
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The seven cities [where the seven churches are named] formed a natural postal route from Ephesus up the coast to Smyrna and Pergamum, and from there inland by the imperial road to Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (Ramsay 1904:186)...it is impossible to prove that the book of Revelation was circulated in this way. John received the vision on the island of Patmos (1:9), and a messenger traveling by boat from Patmos would land either at Miletus, where Paul in his day met the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17), or at Ephesus itself (see Acts 20:16). Ephesus is therefore the natural starting place from a literary standpoint.
However, the first three cities (Ephesus, Smyrna and Pergamum) were rivals for power and prestige. Often the leading citizens of these cities gave great effort to gain the favor and attention of Rome. Today, we will consider the third of these great ancient cities, Pergamum, the capitol of Asia Minor.
Revelation 2:12-17
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.’
Never compromise the truth.
When you’re surrounded by darkness, do not compromise the truth.
The church in Pergamum was planted, according to Jesus, near the throne of Satan.
Theologians are not completely certain as to what “throne of Satan,” but all agree the spiritual environment was incredibly dark.
One of the largest libraries in all of ancient history was in Pergamum. The people were passionate about their culture and educating others in their ways.
Also, emperor cult worship was prominent.
The great altar of Zeus & Athena, depicting the battle between the gods and giants according to greek mythology was present. This was a massive piece of art reflecting religious zeal and confidence.
Lastly, there was a huge temple for healing that featured a large serpent. People traveled to the temple and lay down among non-venomous snakes hoping to be healed by this snake deity.
Perhaps all these elements led Christ to announce this place as being where Satan’s Throne dwell.
These saints had also witnessed the martyrdom of a faithful leader, Antipas.
Antipas would not deny Christ to save Himself.
In verse 13, Jesus teaches us why we must never compromise truth even if faced with death like Antipas.
Revelation 2:13
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.
Note the “possessive pronouns”:
My name
My faith
My faithful witness
If we are in Christ, then we belong to Christ. He paid a great price to purchase us for Himself. And if we belong to Christ, then His name is in us and on us.
If we belong to Christ and His name is on us, then we must accept all that He is. This is why He says, “my faith.”
The world says, “Speak your truth.” Jesus Christ says, “I am Truth.”
2 Timothy 2:13 says,
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
God cannot deny Himself and Christ’s faithful witnesses cannot compromise Truth.
The Greek term “martys” is used in verse 13 and is translated into English as “witness.” This is where the word “martyr” comes from. Jesus called Antipas, “My faithful martyr.”
Even when you’re surrounded by darkness, do not compromise truth!
Jesus commended the saints in Pergamum for holding fast to the faith in the face of persecution.
In Revelation 2:14-16, Jesus warns the church in Pergamum.
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.
First, Christ commends the church in Pergamum for standing firm under the threat of persecution. But now he warns them against a dangerous threat.
Do you know what it’s like to be a new eager to make friends in a new environment?
You want to know who are the cool kids on the block and what do they think of me? Do they like the way I dress? Are we interested in the same things? What can I do to show them that I belong?
How many young kids who come from good, wholesome homes, have been lost to the world because of an itching desire to fit in? How many young destinies have been forfeited, because of a love for this world? A desire to fit in.
The deep, soul-itch to belong and gain acceptance will never be quenched by belonging to the world, because the world didn’t create you.
The saints in Pergamum have been compromising. Some of them have been led to pagan temples to participate in pagan rituals that include everything from eating foods sacrificed to demons to sexual immorality.
Never compromise God’s truth to gain acceptance in the world.
The saints at Pergamum have been convinced that it’s okay to do this because of many false teachings.
Jesus list the “teaching of Balaam” and the “teaching of the Nicolaitans” as being the dangerous threat that has produced this compromised faith.
What are the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans?
In verse 14, Jesus says, “...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.”
Christ is referencing the story found in the Book of Numbers. In chapters 22-24, we meet the prophet Balaam who was hired by the King of Moab to put a curse on Israel, but instead prophesied blessings on Israel 4 times.
And Balaam, rather than love what God loves, the children of Israel whom he prophesied blessing over 4 times, chose instead to love himself and the world more. In Numbers 31:16, it was revealed that he concocted a plan for the King of Moab that would result in Israel being judged by God.
Again, Balaam loved himself and the world more than He loved God.
It appears, that there are teachers in Pergamum who are following in the example of Balaam and are leading the church into dangerous compromise with the world.
In Revelation 2:6, the church in Ephesus is commended by Jesus. He says,
6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
The church in Ephesus did not tolerate these false teachers. Pergamum is being influenced by them.
In week 1, I told you I would come back to the Nicolaitans. Well, here we are. Who are the Nicolaitans?
Let me read to you how bible commentary describes the situation. I believe it the most plausible.
Revelation The Message to Pergamum (2:12–17)
The “Balaamites” and the “Nicolaitans” at Pergamum are almost certainly not two groups but one, “Nicolaitans” being a coined nickname based on what some believed to be the Greek equivalent of “Balaam.” The latter, in Hebrew, could be read as “master of the people” (ba˓al ˓am), while “Nicolaitan” in Greek could be read as “conqueror of the people.”
The Nicolaitans and Balaamites are the same. They teach a worldly compromise. Perhaps the church in Pergamum was more vulnerable to this compromise because of the death of Antipas.
Or, maybe, they embraced this compromise as a way of relieving some of the pressure they felt from the world.
They most certainly felt pressure to conform to the culture. And they like wanted to avoid being called Judgmental or weird for their beliefs. Either way, 3 things stand out to me that we must address.
Pergamum had become:
An undiscerning church.
An undisciplined church.
An under-discipled church.
Undiscerning because they failed to use the word of God to distinguish between truth and error. They were distracted by charming personalities and flattering speech.
Undisciplined first because they would not test the teachings with the rest of Scripture and secondly, they would not reprove those who were in error.
Under-discipled because, by all indications, they are not coming to a mature understanding of the faith, or as Jesus said, “His faith.”
We are committed hear at Restoration City to teaching the Bible, expositionally. That means, we want to bring out the meaning of the biblical text more than we want to excite you with a new thing.
We do this because we trust the Bible and in Hebrews 4:12
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.
The understanding the Bible and standing under sound teaching is how we grow in discernment and spiritual discipline. The word of God is the primary tool of Christian discipleship. We believer you will grow into full maturity, as a disciple of Christ as you regular give yourself to the teaching, reading and praying the Word of God.
This is why gathering on a Sunday is important. It’s also why we gather in smaller groups throughout the week. Our goal is not compromise with the world, but growth in the Word of God so that we can change the world.
In closing, some of you today might acknowledge that you live an undiscerning, undisciplined and under-discipled life. It’s probably that way because you’re staying in the Word, staying in community and prioritizing worship. This is not the spiritual place to be at. Christ was not pleased with the saints in Pergamum for living like this and neither is He pleased when we live like this.
What a sobering thought it is, to realize that my actions, my speech and/or my lifestyle isn’t pleasing to God! To be in this place after all that Christ has done for us, means we don’t deserve mercy.
And yet, in verse 16, our Savior offers hope. He says, Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
The hope is seen in the fact that you can repent, right now of your worldliness and spiritual laziness.
To those who repent and endure hardship for namesake, He will give them “hidden manna and white stone with a name on it that no one knows except you and God.”
The manna and the stone represent the great, heavenly, champions banquet. You need an invitation to a banquet, hence the white stone. The hidden manna represents the VIP menu of heaven.
This is the promise from Christ to those who choose to stop compromising and surrender everything to God.
But, if we won’t repent, Christ warns that He will return to make war against them.
Church, let’s chose the route of repentance and faith in Christ, and let us wisely and courageously reject all temptation to compromise God’s faith. Amen.