A Commendation, A Warning, and A Promise

A Commendation, A Warning, and A Promise Revelation 2:12-17 February 28, 2021 What should we know about Pergamum? • • It was the provincial capital of Asia . It was the home of many pagan temples, including one dedicated to Caesar Augustus. It was a cultural center with a library of 200,000 volumes. It was a very hard place to be a faithful Christian. A man named Antipas, a Christian, was martyred there. • • Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 16 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.’ 17 The Big Idea: Christians and their churches are not called to be combative or antagonistic, but we are called to a better way that upholds Christ and His Gospel in a world that is increasingly combative and antagonistic toward Christians, their Churches, and the Gospel. Christ’s call is to maintain a distinct identity, speak the truth in great love, and guard against the dilution of Biblical truth. Revelation 2:12–17 (ESV) 2 12 “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. 13 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. 14 ETERNAL TRUTHS: 1. Satan is alive and active in opposing God and His people. That opposition is sometimes obvious and often subtle. 2. Jesus knows how hard it is for you to live in a world where Satan both rages and works slyly in tempting us to compromise the Truth with lies. 3. It is never wrong to love and welcome all kinds of people into your life (and Church) as you live faithfully and walk with Christ. But, beware the temptation to allow the world’s call for tolerance to change your commitment to and belief in the truth Christ has given us in His Word. [1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 4:15] 4. The first call to repentance is not to the ones in doctrinal and lifestyle sin, but to the other Christians who had remained silent about it. 5. More simply, ask these questions: “Who is being changed?” And, “Are we all growing more Christ-like, or am I becoming more like my compromising friend?” 6. The rewards of Christ to the faithful are worth the cost of faithfulness. He promises to sustain you in this life and welcome you into His eternal celebration. [Revelation 19:6-9]