Pergamum - Week 4
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Intro: The Destination of the Letter
Intro: The Destination of the Letter
RECAP:
Rev1: J’s vision of Jesus | Eph… Re-ignite first love. | Smyr… Be Fearless, Faithful!
TODAY: Pergamum/mos
Capital of Rome’s government in Asia
Known for its massive Library
Rev 2:12-17 ““To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who recei…”
The Description of Christ:
He who has the sharp, two-edged sword
Represents Power & Judgment
[last wk] X as auth. & grace… now as conq. & judge!
Conq. a (+) img… symbol of justice, DotL, right wrongs, just desserts!
judg. typic (-) img… deal out punishm’t
Words like a sword - a cutting away, dividing
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
X’s words come to remove the unfaithful & preserve righteous
While were high pts for community @ Perg... were those trying to be IN world && OF it.
The Church of Compromise!
The Church of Compromise!
The Diagnosis of the Church (4 things, mostly good)
He Knew the Circumstances of Their Faith
...Surrounded by paganism and idolatry!
“Satan’s throne.” [Of no other city did Jesus say this]
ha-satan… opposer, against plan YHWH, pro-apathy!
throne is a seat of ruling/commanding; singular place of repres.
Hot-spot for the purpose of enemy, against God. Not 100% what means… Not good! Not friendly to Xians/plans of YHWH.
“Throne” = poss. altar to Zeus (chief god) / Asclepius (healing)
He Knew the Conviction of Their Faith
“You hold remain true to my name.” [krateis to onoma mou]
krateo = staying power, strong force; root: “power”
Picture: Guy at the back of tug’o’war | huge crane/tow line reinforced w legs
Unmoved. Unshaken. Not swerved by wicked throne.
to onoma mou = “My name”
name used [Torah] as a sign of allegiance, auth!
Angel of YHWH guide Isr. “put my name in him”
Xians dug in deep & stayed under God’s auth. Not persuaded/pushed out by name of Caesar/Zeus!
Possible to hold fast! …even in the midst of persecution or unlawfulness!
Consequences for their faith, unlike America
Afraid of persecution! Desire to be safe. [Understandable]
May our desire to be true to Christ overpower our desire for security…
He Knew the [Circum, Convic] Courage of Their Faith
Govern’rs — “right to the sword” in all matters.
Tradition: Antipas Bishop of church @ Pergamum, 92AD martyr’d in a firey bull altar
John may have ordained him himself
Name means, “against all”… perhaps died going against all opposers
He Knew the [Circumst, Convic, Courg] Compromise of Their Faith
They’d allowed idolatry & compromise to creep into their ranks
The doctrine of Balaam & Nicolaitans
Pagan prophet who did spiritual “favors” for a price
Numbers 31. Used shifty back-door ways to lead Isr. astray! Corrupting themselves with pagan practices.
Likely — trying to blend in w society, adopt soc. accept things to lessen persec. (maintain bus., life, family, comm. ties)
A coalition of Xians fell under sway of pagan life, trying to be part of Xian comm. & Zeus worsh also!
Surrounded by idolatry; Were persec; Had given all; But some opted for ease over Christ.
Stay the True to Christ!
Stay the True to Christ!
The Demand for the Church?
Repent! Or else..... Judgment!
Metanoia - a change of mind. (a la Shuv)
God calls us to repent! He loves us enough to not leave us this way!
Between his Spirit and our actions taken to be holy… desires us to grow!
Disciples mission to make disc — teach new, X-way of being to others!
NOT restricctive - freeing! Backwards-sound’g (tied down by every whim, feeling, desire, lust we have)
As creator, God gets to define the best way to live. And if we don’t measure up, he can bring correction (sword)!
Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Revelation 2:17 “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it”
Manna - special blessing directly from God.
White stone - Imperial invite to a banquet (engraved marble slab)
Jesus invites his true saints to party down with Him in the new Resurrection!