Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Scripture

Outline

Revelation 1 - Introduction

Revelation 1:1-3 - Prologue & Benediction

Revelation 1:4-8 - Epistolary Introduction

Revelation 1:9-20 - A Vision of the Son of Man

Revelation 2-3 - The Seven Churches

Revelation 2:1-7 - The Letter to Ephesus

Revelation 2:8-11 - The Letter to Smyrna

Revelation 2:12-17 - The Letter to Pergamum

Revelation 2:12 - Address

Revelation 2:13-16 - Message to the Church

Revelation 2:17 - Command to Hear

Purpose of Book

The purpose of Revelation is to challenge/encourage believers, who are expectantly awaiting the reign of Christ, to live faithfully for Him despite worldly circumstances, persecution, and the cosmic battle between God and Satan.

Main Point

Jesus commends the church in Pergamum for persevering in faith despite the death of Antipas.

He also exhorts them to reject false teachings that would cause them to intermingle with false religions.

Revelation 2:12 - Address

And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

To the angel of the church

Celestial being responsible for oversight

There is help for them in the heavenly realm

Pergamum

Key Points

• Pergamum was a hub of imperial cult in the province of Asia Minor, the site of the provincial temple of Roma and Augustus, authorized in 29 BC and inaugurated in 19 BC.

• Though some scholars associate the temple of Rome and Augustus with the “throne of Satan” (Rev 2:13), the distinctive altar of Zeus on the brow of the acropolis may have been more in John’s view, given his equation of demons with the Greco-Roman gods and, therefore, Satan with their chief (see Rev 9:20–21).

• The popular support for the idolatrous rituals that pervaded Pergamene society, particularly for the imperial cult that had become such a source of civic identity and pride for the city, helps explain the motivation of the Christian teachers whom John calls “Nicolaitans” and followers of the teaching of “Balaam” to develop a theological rationalization for accommodation.

• Exploration of the temple of Sarapis revealed the ancient technology by means of which priests could make their idols seem to speak to the worshipers.

• Pergamum was incidentally the location where parchment appears to have been first developed and from which it continued to be exported throughout the Roman period.

Pergamum hosted the first temple dedicated to emperor cult worship in it’s province

Serpent god of healing was prominent

Throne-like altar to Zeus

Write

Command given to John

The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

Sharp two-edged sword

Powerful judgment upon his enemies, but vindication for the saints

Furthermore, Jesus will judge the churches who have compromised as we see here relating to vss.

14-16

Christ standing as the true Judge (both against Satan (and his forces) and those who are false teachers) entirely consumes this passage

Revelation 2:13-16 - Message to the Church

I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is.

I know where you dwell

Where Satan’s throne is

Entrenched Satanic worship is present in Pergamum

We are not sure exactly what this was specifically referring to, but we do know Satanic power was evident in multiple ways in Pergamum

Yet you hold fast my name,

Hold fast my name

Christ commends the church for persevering in him despite the satanic presence around them

And you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

Did not deny my faith

Despite the death of a Christian, the church continued in truth faith

Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you

We do not know the specific details of Antipas’ death

Where Satan dwells

Notice “dwell” being used twice in vs 13

I know where you dwell...

Where Satan dwells...

Light and darkness are unable to peacefully remain

But I have a few things against you:

Few things against you

Though they persevered during the death of Antipas, they still compromised in other areas by some in the congregation

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.

Hold the teaching of Balaam

Numbers 22-24 - Story of Balaam

Balaam was prevented by the Spirit of God from cursing Israel (even though he wanted to) and was compelled to bless them, but he found another way to subvert Israel.

He incited Israel to join with the Moabites in their sacrifices and sexual immorality (Num.

25:1–2, 6; 31:16).

Twenty-four thousand were killed in Israel for their unfaithfulness (Num.

25:9).

Balaam is a pattern for false teachers who deceive and promote false religions for self-gain

Stumbling block

Falling away from the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ

Eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality

Food offered during idolatrous worship

Christians were engaging in these idolatrous worship settings out of social obligations contrary to what Christ stated

Sexuality immorality was occuring as believers were engaging with “spiritual intercourse” with pagan gods during idolatrous worship

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

Hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans

Beliefs that would influence Christ-followers to compromise their true allegiance to the triune God

Therefore repent.

Repent

Command

Those holding to the false teachings related to Balaam and the Nicolaitans are commanded to repent

Notice that the root of false doctrine is from within, they have stood strong against the outside, but are not pure within

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

If not

Failure to repent and obey Christ comes with severe consequences

Come to you soon

War against them with the sword of my mouth

Christ will war against the false teachers who are deceive his church

This is the cosmic battle Christ is engaged in with the enemy

One day this battle will be complete, but it is not yet finished

Revelation 2:17 - Command to Hear

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Let him hear

Command

Meant to provoke to get the church to hear and obey

Reality that there are believers and non-believers who hear this message in the churches

Some will be enlightened, some blinded

Spirit