Sunday, June 3, 2018 am
NT CHURCH 2017-18 (60)
A Study of Churches (7)
7 Churches of Asia (4) – Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17)
a.
The third prominent city
in Asia, vying for title, “First of Asia”.
Located about 15 miles in from the Aegean Sea and about 50 miles
north of Smyrna. It was the capital city of the region of Mysia in Asia
Minor. It had strong roots
with Rome, having been willed to the empire by its last king in 133 BC.
And thus became the province of Asia.
b.
Not as large as Ephesus
or Smyrna, but still influential in trade.
Known for 1) its library with more than 200,000 volumes, 2) its
learning, including a famous school of sculpting, 3) a large theater, 4)
the development of parchment (named after the city), and 5) prominence
in medicine and healing, as well as other achievements.
it was also a judicial city where the imperial governor regularly held
court with authority of capital punishment.
c.
It’s idolatry and
emperor worship rivaled that of Smyrna.
Some described it as the worst in that area.
There were temples to 3 emperors, as well as an early temple to
the goddess Roma. It was
chief in its region in emperor worship (and the burning of the “pinch of
salt”) which would have been prevalent continually, as opposed to the
annual appearance in other places.
There were also temples to Zeus, Athena, Dionysius and Asclepius
– the god of medicine and healing.
It is described by some as the most idolatrous of the 7 cities
we are discussing.
d.
Even in this worldly and
idolatrous city, again we find a church of the Lord’s people.
a.
The Lord Described
– He who has the sharp two-edged sword.
From Revelation 1:16 – it proceeded out of His mouth.
This likely represents that the message of judgment will come
from Him. His word cuts and
judges – Hebrews 4:12. Recall His own warning in John 12:48 He noted
that the word that He has spoken will judge in the last day.
AUTHORITY belongs to Christ, even over world governments.
b.
Commendations–
i.
I know your works – again, He is aware of all that we do – actions and attitudes
ii.
Where you dwell is the throne of Satan
– because of their standing and idolatry, this possibly is a reference
to the Roman idolatry and the difficulties it presented to Christians.
Satan is the father of false religions – Ephesians 2:2 – he is
the prince of the power of the air.
iii.
You hold fast to My name – they did not deny the Lord.
Philippians 2:16, “hold fast” to the word of life.
Again consider Matthew 10:32-33 – will we confess Him always?
iv.
You did not deny My faith even as Antipas was martyred –
here we find mentioned one persecuted to the death.
We know little about him and exactly what happened.
But clearly, serving Christ came at a price.
c.
Condemnations
i.
I have a few things against you – more than one, as recorded in Ephesus.
ii.
You have there those who hold to the doctrine of Balaam
-
Who was Balaam? Balaam is
recorded in Numbers 21-25 where Israel in the wilderness is successful
in defeating armies as they head toward Canaan.
Balak, king of Moab hires Balaam, a prophet, to curse Israel.
Balaam cannot speak anything without God’s blessing.
In summary, 4 times, Balaam blesses Israel instead of cursing
them. BUT, we know Balaam
was greedy and found a way around God’s word.
Thus,
He taught Balak to put a stumbling
block in the way of the children of Israel – recorded in Numbers
25 the children of Israel committed harlotry with Moab and many died
that day because of it. We
read in Numbers 31:16 – that it was through Balaam’s counsel that this
idolatry and fornication happened.
Balaam is mentioned twice more in the NT -2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11 – both
appealing to his greed.
Eat things offered to idols and
commit sexual immorality –(fornication).
In times past, we have noted that often the idolatry of the
empire included both of these practices.
It is possible that some in Pergamos were participating in these
activities, maybe even in idols’ temples. Paul warned against eating
things offered to idols in 1 Corinthians 8.
Fornication is continually forbidden as well – 1 Corinthians
6:9-11, Hebrews 13:4, etc.
iii.
You have those who hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans
– they were also
mentioned in the message to Ephesus (2:6).
In Ephesus, false doctrine was NOT tolerated.
Here, whatever it involved, was tolerated.
Consider in Ephesus they stood firm in convictions, but their
zeal wavered; here we find a zeal, but their convictions wavered.
iv.
The problem
– the church at Pergamos IGNORED sinful behaviors.
This is similar to 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 where the church ignored such
adultery. Paul rebuked them
and warned them to purge themselves or they would be corrupted by that
behavior. That is what we
have in this text.
d.
Call to action
i.
Repent, or
else I will come and fight against THEM with the “sword of My mouth.”
The Lord will judge them, by His word, and condemn them UNLESS
they changed!
ii.
He who has an ear, let him hear… - we HAVE to heed the warnings of God’s word.
Again, we are reminded that this same statement is repeated to
all 7 churches. One message
for ALL!
iii.
He who overcomes will be given: – the ONLY way our faith will be as it ought to be.
Be reminded this was said of all 7 churches.
I will give some of the hidden
manna to eat – manna was bread from heaven provided by God to
sustain Israel while in the wilderness.
Exodus 16 describes how this manna sustained Israel.
As a memorial of God’s sustenance, a pot of manna was to be
placed in the ark of the covenant – Exodus 16:33-34, cf. Hebrews 9:4.
This could be the reference to “hidden manna”
Here the Lord’s promise is that if you overcome (remain faithful), He
will sustain you – especially into the next life.
Recall also how John 6:48-51
notes Jesus is the “Bread of Life” and He related that to the bread of
life which if we eat we will live forever.
A white stone with a new name
written on it – white is a symbol of purity.
Exactly what this stone was is debated.
I have read that a white stone
was given to freed slaves, and to the winners of a race or warrior
returning from battle.
It has also been said that in the Roman court system, jurors would be
given a white and black stone and would cast one into the basket
determining guilt (black) or innocence (white).
Consider this in a city with
courts that might render “black stones” against Christians.
GOD, will give them a white stone (declaring them “not guilty”).
What is clear is that it figuratively represents one’s pure standing
before God and the reward associated with it.
Mentioned is the “new name” - the
name “Christian” is a “new name” (cf. Isaiah 62:2, Acts 11:26).
It is a name attributed to those who belong to Christ.
Perhaps this name is something similar to, “worthy”?
Revelation 3:12 read where they
are promised “the name of my God and the name of the city of my God”.
Whatever it is (the text says, “a
name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”), it
means he is recognized by God and HE KNOWS that he is doing that which
is right.
a.
A church that is doing
everything right, doctrinally.
They teach the truth and do not teach error.
There is even a love there for one another (which is what set
Pergamos and Ephesus apart).
BUT, there are in their midst those caught up in immoral conduct, and
perhaps relationships.
Rather than purge the congregation of such impurities, they “have them”
in their midst, as if nothing is wrong.
Perhaps they are SILENT on given subjects that would challenge
some of these people.
We may be teaching the truth and practicing God’s doctrine with
everything concerning the church, BUT do we have those who are engage in
immoral practices and do or say nothing about it?
b.
A problem today among
many brethren is taking acts of morality and denominational practices
and treating them as if they are inconsequential.
Churches pick and choose which errors and practices should be
addressed, while ignoring others to God.
There are churches that have people living in open fornication,
adulterous marriages, engaged in lascivious dress, going places where
Christians ought not to go, and treating it as if nothing is wrong.
There are churches that treat man-made holidays as if they are
holy and leave the impression to visitors that such is what God has
commanded.
NOTE: In today’s age of social media, sometimes Christians openly show
their immodesty and immoral practices.
c.
Why is this a problem?
1) As the text indicates, you are TOLERATING ERROR!
2) Consider what it does to our influence church within the community.
The church may become complicit in such errors.
3) When we ignore immorality and doctrinal errors, we slowly drift
closer to the world – 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, esp. vs. 17- come out from
among them and be separate.
Romans 12:2 – be transformed.
d.
When we are more
concerned about what the world thinks of us than God, we have a problem!
When we seek to bring Christianity down to the level of the world,
INSTEAD of seeking to bring the world up to the standard of Christ’s
word, we have a problem!
That is what we see in Pergamos.
Are we willing to compromise to escape troubles?
Are we like the church at
Pergamos?