Revelations 2 Part 2
Revelations • Sermon • Submitted
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“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.’
Background
Capital city of the province - center of government for the region
It worshipped the god of healing - its emblem or symbol was a serpent- Satan in the book of Genesis.
It also had a temple to zeus
It was a center of emperor worship - temple to the Divine Augustus and goddess Roma
This was where Satan had free reign ( Theologically) - the governor had the right to put you to death for any reason - He had the power
It also had a Christian Martyr Antipas
It was a stronghold of paganism
Most of the converts came out of paganism
Paganism is defined as people who worship non Christian deities, polytheists and those who worship the earth or nature. Really defined as country dweller.
Jesus Descriptor - two edged sword.
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.
Pergamum Picture
The Good
In the midst of here Satan dwells the Christians hold fast. With all the garbage that surrounds them they are able to stay strong and not to deny the faith.
They are a faithful witness even unto death
The Bad
TWO THINGS - Some held to the teachings of Balaam - they stretched their liberties. They thought it ok to worship in the world and committt immorality but at the same time staying and Israelite.
Ballam ( Prophet) was asked by Balek the king of Moab to curse the Israelites because he was afraid of them ( Numbers Chapter 22). He saw an invasion force and he didn’t know what to do. Balaam sold his gift for money. He propfited by his gift - lets pause there for a second - We are are blessed by God but to prophet off of your gifting on the backs of Gods people just isn’t right.
Balaam ( Prophet) whose name means not of the people, was asked by Balek the king of Moab to curse the Israelites because he was afraid of them ( Numbers Chapter 22). He saw an invasion force and he didn’t know what to do. tat the Donkey sees and God has to speak through the Donkey and warns Balaam only to say what the words that God has told him.
In the midst of all this 2 peter says Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness and counseled the king to have his women infiltrate the camp of Israel and entice them to immorality and worship of Peor Baal. and eat things sacrificed to idols. ( when it says this it also means to engage in the festivals with these Gods.
If you cannot beat them militarily you can beat them spiritually - then the blessing wont be upon them any more.
The other is Holding to the Nicolaitians - we are going to talk about them later but
lets sum it up by saying there idea was there is nothing wrong with joining hands with the world.
The Solution
Repent - because the few influence the whole- The whole church was asked to repent because of the few who were pulling everyone down. Also they were allowing themselves to be pulled down.
To be accepted they joined the world- God is not asking yu to join the world - You are not
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Reward - Hidden Manna - Food that is really blessed
WHite Stone - an aquittal stoneand called an admission stone
white indicates Holiness and beauty
It is nmperishable
New Name - Like Saul to Paul
also the new name refers to Jesus Christ
The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
If you combine this blessing you get
I am His, I am Blessed, He is imperishable
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
“ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.
But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.
Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,
and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.
Only hold fast what you have until I come.
The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,
and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.
And I will give him the morning star.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Background
Thyatira - situated in a valley
no natural fortifications
Trade center - wool linen, leather, pottery etc
had a a strong trade guild- ( If your not in the guild you would have an impossible task to do business or make a living.
It was a very idolatrous and immoral city.
Jesus Descriptor Used - Eyes a flame of fire and feet of burnished bronze - Jesus will judge and his judgement will be true and everlasting.
The Good
Deeds - Love -faith - Service - perseverance - growth - was stellar. In today's world this would be the church to go to. We would call it a healthy , vibrant, growing church . a model church that you could write books about. Some churches would love to get just one of those qualities on the upswing.
The Bad
It had a challenge and that was to conquer sin, one must be thoroughly aquainted with it. ( How many of you know this is not true?)
Tolerates the women Jezebel
she considered herself a inspired teacher wit hspecial revelations from God
The Solution
The Conclusion
How do you live in this world without shaking hands with it?
Understand this is not your home
For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.