Revelation 2:12-17
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Introduction
Introduction
I mentioned how that the vision John saw of Jesus in Chapter 1 sets the tone for the letters written to the 7 churches in Revelations 2-3.
Thus far, the description of Jesus to the churches at Ephesus, Smyrna and now Pergamos, all come from the vision John saw of Jesus in chapter 1
Pergamos – “Height or elevation”. 2.2.1. The city was built on a cone-shaped hill(1000’ high). 2.2.2. 80 miles north of Ephesus. It was the Political capitol of Asia. 2.2.3. They had one of the largest Libraries of antiquity w/200,000 books (all manuscripts).
Description of Jesus - A sharp two edged sword
Description of Jesus - A sharp two edged sword
Revelation 2:12
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
“It is the first negative introduction of Christ because the Pergamum church faced imminent judgment.
Revelation 19:15
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
In Revelation it speaks of judgment
Penetrating - Jesus will confront this church with His word.
The Greek word translated ‘sword’ means ‘a short sword or dagger.’ The emphasis is on the power of the Word to penetrate and expose the inner heart of man. The Word is a ‘discerner’ or ‘critic.'”
Acts 5:33
The Apostles were arrested for preaching the Gospel.
They confronted the Sanhedrin:
Obey God rather than man
God the Father raised up Jesus whom they slew
God the Father exalted:
To His right hand
Prince
Savior
To bring repentance and forgiveness of sin
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Acts 7:54
"Your fathers rejected Joseph; God made him a ruler. Your fathers rejected Moses; God made him the ruler. You have rejected Jesus Christ
Acts 7:51
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Separation - Based upon Hebrews 4:12 separating and dividing asunder.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
God’s word gets to the core issue
God’s word goes straight to the cause
God gives us a forewarning of separation and division of this church at Pergamos
Church at Jerusalem scattering had a purpose of evangelism but not this church. The purpose was to sever, remove, excise like a cancerous tumor.
Sharp - There is not a dull side to the words of Jesus. There is not anything dull to what Jesus has to say.
Steadfastness
Steadfastness
Revelation 2:13
I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Dwell where Satan’s seat is
This was where his throne was - His throne is not in Hell
Satan has a global operation
Within that global operation he has headquarters
Mystery cults of Babylon set up their headquarters there.
The official Center for Emperor Worship(started here).
They had their 1st temple dedicated to Augustus Caesar(reigned when Jesus was born)
The Askelpios center – They had a temple dedicated to Askelpios (the god of healing) whose insignia was the entwined serpent on the staff. (still a med. symbol today!)
The Asklepieion was a kind of Mayo Clinic of the ancient world.
They held fast the name of the Lord
Holding fast the name of God was important
We saw it with the letter at Epehesus
Why is the name of the Lord so important?
Authority - Not a greater name than Jesus
Salvation - Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Who He is
Has not denied my faith
The faith that Christians have comes from Jesus Christ
Ephesians 2:8,9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
They were faithful and holding fast even though Antipas was put to death.
A lot of my’s in this verse
My name
My Faith
My witness
My faithful one
It is easy to see why this church has a commendation from Jesus - in many areas there focus was on Jesus
Jesus Opposition
Jesus Opposition
Revelation 2:14-15
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
This is what I have against you: You have these people there who believe these false things and you are allowing it. You’re not dealing with it. You’re allowing them to feel comfortable.
It wasn’t a question of their denying the Lord’s name. They wouldn’t do that. It wasn’t a question of denying the faith. They wouldn’t do that. It was a question of being soft and tolerant to error.
There was some who taught the doctrine of Balaam - a Stumbling Block
To eat things sacrificed unto idols - embrace their culture
To commit fornication - Sleep with them
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
There were those who taught the doctrine of the Nicolaitans
“So hast thou also them” connects some of their doctrine with Balaam - They could live above God’s standard.
The church was drifting into worldliness and carnality
Counsel Jesus gives them
Counsel Jesus gives them
Revelation 2:16
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Repent
Only two churches received no counsel to repent
Smyrna
Philadelphia
Four churches were told corporately to repent
Ephesus
Pergamos
Sardis
Laodicea
One church had certain people within the church that needed to repent
Thyatira
The Lord will fight against the false teachers
Fight - to make war
1 Corinthians 5:6
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
The church must be in constant judgment on teaching. There’s no room for compromise. If we fail to exclude unbelievers from the fellowship of the body, we are in error. The church isn’t designed for unbelievers to come and say whatever they want and be accepted as they are. It’s designed for saints to uphold the truth and unbelievers to come and hear the truth and in hearing it be saved.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Revelation 2:17
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Just like the word “repent” the word “overcometh” is significant within these letters. It is mentioned in all the letters:
Revelation 2:7
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:11
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Revelation 2:17
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Who is the overcomer?
1 John 5:4-5
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Significance of white stone
Rabbinic legend – that precious stones fell from heaven along w/the manna.2 2.20.2. Followers of Christ – This would represent the precious gifts of God to His people. 2.20.3.
Ancient Law courts – white & black stones were used for registering the verdict of Juries. {black for condemnation; white for acquittal} 2.20.4. Followers of Christ – are acquitted in the sight of God because of the work of Christ. 2.20.5.
The Thracians & Scythians kept an urn in their house & each day they threw either a white stone in for a Happy day, or a black stone for ever Unhappy day; at the end of their lives the stones were counted to distinguish whether they had a wretched or a Happy life! 2.20.6. Followers of Christ – we can have the joy that no man can take from us (Jn.16:22) 2.20.7.
Wear an amulet or charm (lucky jewelry: a piece of jewelry worn to provide protection against evil, injury, disease, or bad luck) 2.20.7.1.A very common custom in the ancient world. 2.20.7.2.On the pebble was a sacred name; to know a god’s name was to have certain power over him, to be able to summon him to one’s aid in time of difficulty & to have mastery over demons. 2.20.7.3.It was also known to be doubly effective if no one else knew the name inscribed on it! 2.20.8. Followers of Christ – maybe he will place around your neck, not a good luck charm, but maybe a small stone that would represent more of what a “promise ring on a chain” represents in our culture. With a special name of Himself on it...just for you! (explain His Names/titles thru Scripture are to reveal more of himself to us) 2.20.9.
Friendship – when 2 people, seeking to seal a friendship, broke a stone into 2 & each retained a half, which gave access to each others home.3 2.20.10. Followers of Christ – here is guaranteed access to His home & promise of His friendship! 2.20.11.
Admission to a feast – if there was an expensive & restricted feast often they would use a white stone for admission...much like an exclusive club today. 2.20.12. Followers of Christ – here is your ticket to His feast
New Name
New (καινός keenos)– “not only in point of time but also in point of quality; nothing like it has ever been made before!”
(Barclay) Also: new Jerusalem(3:12); new song(5:9); new heavens & new earth(21:1); God makes all things new(21:5)
Victory
In Rome a great Gladiator was the admired hero of all.
Often a gladiator had to fight on until he was killed in combat.
But if he had a specially illustrious career, when he grew old, he was allowed to retire in honor.
Such men were given a white stone w/the letters SP on it.
SP stands for the Latin Spectatus which means a man whose valor has been proved beyond a doubt.
“Tried, tested, proved; esteemed!” (Latin dictionary)
Followers of Christ – one day saint you WILL receive a stone. Maybe it will say, “tried, tested, proved, & esteemed”?
Maybe, “SP” Spectatus?