Part 8 | Letters to the Churches (3)

Tonight, we are in Part 8 of our Revelation Study.

We are in the thick of Chapters 2 and 3, which are comprised of letters written to each of the seven churches throughout Asia Minor.

As we move throughout these chapters, we are looking at the following elements of each of the seven letters:

(1) Depiction of Jesus

Each letter contains some aspect of the vision of Jesus from chapter 1 that relates to each particular church.

(2) Encouragement

The Lord has a word of encouragement for most of the churches for what they are doing well.

(3) Correction - meaning the failures of the particular church.

(4) Instruction

(5) The Promise (given to those who endure til’ the end)

Perseverance is a common theme throughout Revelation.

Revelation 2:12–17 (ESV)

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

“ ‘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. 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. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 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.’

Pergamum Background

Pergamum was a very famous and prosperous city

It was polytheistic—meaning that most citizens worshipped multiple God’s.

The Lord states that these believers dwell “where Satan’s throne is.”

The precise referent of this statement is debated.

1) Some Satan’s throne with the altar of Zeus

2) Others identify it with the temple of Asclepius (uh·skleh·pee·owz), the Greco-Roman god of medicine, or god of healing—son of Apollo.

3) Still others identify the statement with the cult of the emperor.

Pergamum was the first city in Asia Minor to erect a temple for emperor worship—which was built in 29BC by Augustus.

Because Satan was behind the practice of emperor worship and Rome’s hostility towards the church, Pergamum could certainly be described as his throne.

*For all or any of those reasons, Pergamum could rightly be referred to as the city where Satan’s throne is.

Nonetheless, the phrase reminds us that we fight not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities.

Two Issues: Internal & External

Externally: They are facing persecution and opposition from those outside the church.

Internally. There was a sect of the believers that have given into false doctrine and syncretism… the assimilation of Christianity and other religions or practices.

(1) Depiction of Jesus

Remember, in chapter 1, John records this stunning vision of Jesus.

Revelation 1:12–16 (ESV)

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

Now, in this letter to Pergamum, Jesus introduces Himself with an image from John’s initial vision, appropriate to the situation of the church of Pergamum.

Revelation 1:12 (ESV)

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,

The image is repeated again in verse 16.

At the most basic level, this represents Christ’s impending judgment upon the church, lest they repent of their sin.

To go a bit deeper, though, Pergamum was the seat of the Roman governor.

He exercised what is called the “right of sword”.

The governor represented the authority of the emperor, who—according to Zondervan’s commentary— carried a sword or dagger as a symbol of his office.

The governor—then—could render the sentence of life or death in his jurisdiction.

John 19:10 (ESV)

So Pilate (the governor of Judea) said to him (Jesus at His trial), “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?”

Remember Jesus’ response:

John 19:11 (ESV)

Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

Jesus, here, is asserting His preeminence over the Roman governor.

It seems—though the most of the believers in Pergamum have kept from devoting themselves to the demonic forces of religious cults— some were engaging in idolatrous practices, perhaps out of fear of the emperor. Jesus is reminding them that He—not the Roman governor—has the power of life and death.

I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:28:

Matthew 10:28 (ESV)

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Jesus is seen—in this letter—as the one who will judge the church and the world.

(2) Encouragement

Before offering correction, Jesus offers words of praise to the church.

Revelation 2:13 (ESV)

“ ‘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.

We know nothing of Antipas outside of this text. He was likely a leader of the church in Pergamum.

According to MacArthur, tradition says that he was roasted to death inside a brass bull during the persecution instigated by Emperor Domitian.

Antipas remained faithful to the Lord, even in the midst of intense persecution, ultimately dying for his faith.

Because of his faithfulness, Jesus commends Antipas with a title He uses else where for Himself (Rev. 1:5, 3:14)

Even after watching their brother in Christ die on account of His faith, many of the believers in Pergamum have continued to walk with the Lord—strong in their faith.

The Lord knows of their suffering, and commends their faithful endurance.

(3) Correction - meaning the failures of the particular church.

Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV)

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. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Though many of the believers in Pergamum have remained faithful to the Lord, there are some in the church who have moved to false doctrine and engaged in sinful behavior. The Lord rebukes those who are living in such a way, and perhaps the faithful members are tolerating such heresies.

Some Hold to the Teaching of Balaam

Balaam is an infamous, OT prophet for hire; his story is found in the book of Numbers, beginning in chapter 22.

In the story, Balak, King of Moab, was fearful of the Israelites because of what they had done to the Amorites, so he hires Balaam to curse them.

After attempting (unsuccessfully) three times to curse Israel, Balaam came up with another plan. He decided to corrupt them by teaching Balak to entice them to sin—and only then could would they fall out of favor with God. The particular sins of Israel in connection with Balaam were sexual sin and food offered to idols. He plotted to use the pagan Moabite women to lure the Israelites into the godless behavior that was part of the culture around them.

Balaam’s plan succeeded to an extent— God intervened and disciplined Israel, putting 24,000 people to death. Israel got the message and their slide into sin and idolatry halted.

The history of Israel was repeating itself. Like the Israelites who were seduced by the pagan culture, some in the church at Pergamum were drawn into mix their faith with the pagan culture around them.

Balaam’s promotion of food offered to idols was resulting in syncretism in which people in the church were also participating in the cults of other deities.

Some of the Believers were guilty of eating Food Sacrificed to Idols

It is likely that some of the believers in Pergamum were participating in trade guilds, which—according to Craig Keener—involved honoring a patron deity at their meetings.

To not participate in such an event, may rob a family of their livelihood.

Someone who would not participate in trade guilds would be ostracized. Perhaps they were unable to buy or sell… unless they take the mark of the beast—or bow down to the imperial cult.(Rev. 13:17)

Some of the Believers were also guilty of Sexual Immorality

There is some debate amongst scholars whether “sexual immorality” in this passage refers to literal sex outside of marriage or spiritual adultery. It is worth noting, that one often leads to the other. The believers were also being led astray by the teaching of the Nicolatians who seem to promote sexual immorality as well.

Bottom Line: A sect of believers in the church of Pergamum are living compromised lives. They are guilty of syncretism—attempting to combine Christianity with the world around them. They are no longer living distinct lives as aliens and foreigners. They are no longer living as salt and light. Furthermore, they are attempting to lure others into that lifestyle…

(4) Instruction

Revelation 2:16 (ESV)

Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

Repent.

The ones who are guilty need to turn.

The leaders of the church need to hold the other believers accountable.

(5) The Promises

Revelation 2:17 ESV

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.’

A) Manna - Food for Israel in the wilderness

God will satisfy those who are persecuted and ostracized.

B) White Stone -

In some ancient courtrooms jurors voted for acquittal with a white stone and for conviction with a black one. Those believers who endure to the end will stand clean before the Lord forever.

Application:

In what ways is the contemporary church guilty of syncretism (e.g. materialism, sexual ethics, etc).

Why is it important for the church to hold one another accountable for sin?

It is the loving thing to do for them

Sin spreads