The Book of Revelation- Sermon 6-Christ & The Churches- Pergamos

The Book of Revelation- Christ & The Churches (SLIDE 1) Pergamos- The Compromising Church- Sermon 6 Revelation 2:12-17 Introduction- The Church at Pergamos lasted from 313-600 A.D. (SLIDE 2) (SLIDE 3) Called The Greatest city in Asia Minor, Pergamos had the first temple dedicated to Caesar Pergamos was a big promoter of the imperial cult "Satan's seat" is referring to the fact that the city had become the greatest center of pagan religion in the world at that time. We will look at what Jesus had to say about Pergamos. First we see His...... I. APPROVAL- v.13 (SLIDE 4) * Just as Smyrna, Pergamos had suffered and one man even died for the faith. * Despite intense suffering Pergamos remained true to God. They refused to drop incense on the altar and say, Caesar is Lord. * The Lord's description of himself here is "He which hath the sharp sword with two edges. Rev. 2:12 * It was more important for the Church to fear Christ sword than the Roman sword. (Rev. 2:16). Next we see Christ's... II. ACCUSATION- v.14-15 (SLIDE 5) * Pergamos was not faultless before the Lord. Satan couldn't destroy them as a roaring lion, but he made headway as a deceiving serpent. * A group of compromising people had infiltrated the church fellowship & Jesus hated their doctrines & practices. * These infiltrators are called "Nicolaitans" which means "rule the people." What they taught was the doctrine of Balaam (Rev. 2:14)- which means "lord of the people". * These professed believers "lorded it over" the people and led them astray. (SLIDE 6) * If we understand Balaam (Num. 22-25) we can interpret the Nicolaitans more accurately. (*see notes) * **Balaam was a true prophet who prostituted his gifts in order to earn money from King Balak who hired him to curse the people of Israel. God prevented Balaam from actually cursing the nation- in fact, God turned the curses into blessings! - but Balak still got his money's worth. How? By following Balaam's advice and making friends with Israel, and then inviting the Jews to worship and feast at the pagan altars. As the old saying goes, "If you can't beat'em, join'em!"**** * Because of Balaam's deception the Jewish men fell into the trap and ate meat from idolatrous altars and committed fornication as part of heathen religious rites. * 24,000 people died because of this act of disobedient act of compromise (Num. 25:1-9) * Why did this ancient history apply to the believers at Pergamos? (SLIDE 7) * Why? A group in that church said, "There's nothing wrong with being friendly to Rome. What's wrong with putting a little incense on the altar (set up for worship of Jehovah) and pledging your loyalty to Caesar? * Antipas was faithful, obedient and refused to compromise and was martyred but others took the "easy way"(Pro. 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right...) & cooperated with Rome. - God's Word and ways trump man's laws!!! * The Lord accused Christians at Pergamos of committing "spiritual fornication" by saying "Caesar is Lord." (SLIDE 8) * This compromise made them welcome in the Roman guilds and kept them from Roman persecution, but it cost them their testimony (become ineffective) and their crown. * We also face the temptation to achieve personal advancement by ungodly compromise. * Pergamos means "married", therefore each local church is engaged to Christ & must be kept pure (2 Cor. 11:1-4) * The congregation or Christian that compromises with the world just to avoid suffering or obtain success is committing "spiritual adultery" and being unfaithful to the Lord!- Then lastly Jesus has.... III. ADMONITION- v.16-17- (SLIDE 9) * Antipas had felt the sword of Rome, but the church at Pergamos would feel the sword of Christ-The Word (Heb. 4:12)- if they did not REPENT! * This is a reference to a present judgement on a church when it is disobedient to the Word of God. * As with the previous churches, the closing appeal is to the individual: "He that hath an ear... To him that overcometh" (Rev. 2:17) * Instead of eating things sacrificed to idols (Rev. 2:14), those believers in Pergamos needed to feast on God's holy food, the bread of life found in Jesus Christ through The Word. (Matt. 4:4) - (SLIDE 10) * The ark of the covenant was the throne of God (2 Sam. 6:2), in contrast Satan's throne which held authority in Pergamos (Rev. 2:13). * In Jesus' day, a white stone was put into a vessel by a judge to vote acquittal for a person on trial. * Praise God! We have been declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ and we feast with Him today (Rev. 3:20 and will feast with Him in glory (Rev. 19:6-9). * Church may we learn a lesson from Pergamos to stay clean and spotless before the Lamb. Soon he will come to collect His bride! Conclusion- With each passing day we draw closer and closer to the Rapture of The Church. Are you ready? Have you made those heavenly preparations?