7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION - "Pergamum" - [Rev. 2:12-17] - Pastor Nathan Deisem - Fathom Church (3/7)

7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION – Pergamum
Pastor Nathan Deisem - “Do Not Compromise”
Revelation 2:12-17; Numbers 22-25; Romans 12:2 & 3:4;

o Pergamum – “The Compromising Church”
 20 – 40 miles from Smyrna (inland). Pergamum is another very wealthy city on this large and lucrative trade route. It is situated on two tributaries of the Caicus River! They had a large university with and even larger library (200,000 volumes). Invented (at least a type) of parchment! Very diverse pegan worship. Huge statue and alter to Zeus, many other pagan gods (well documented), the cult of Caesar also popular here (like all Asia Minor). Temple to of Asclepius, a pagan god of healing represented in the form of a serpent.

Revelation 2:12-17

Description of CHRIST:
12 “Write to the angel of the church in Pergamum: Thus says THE ONE WHO HAS THE SHARP, DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD:

• The imagery of a sharp double edged sword is common concerning Jesus!
o In revelation alone we have four references (Revelation 1:16, here in 2:12, and…)
 Revelation 19:15a, 21 “15a A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. 21 The rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds ate their fill of their flesh.”
 Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (also Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”)
• Jesus is infinite in power and holy and just to dole out judgment on unrighteousness and discipline on his wayward children!

COMMENDATION:
13 I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding on to my name and did not deny your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness who was put to death among you, where Satan lives.

• Asclepius: As I mentioned there was so much pagan and state cult worship all over Pergamum and Asia minor but Asclepius (who had a temple and prominent worship in Pergamum) his symbol is serpent coiled around his staff! (Bronze Serpent Numbers 21:6-9)
o The Church in Pergamum was praised for their commitment to their faith in the face of persecution and even martyrdom!
• Antipas: According to Eastern Orthodox traditions, according to the Commentary on the Apocalypse of Andrea of Caesarea, believe Antipas to be the Bishop of the Christian church at Pergamum and that he was martyred for his faith in our blessed Lord Christ Jesus
o "Antipas, the whole world is against you!" Antipas reputedly replied: "Then I am against the whole world." (possibly ‘like the father’) [Romans 3:4 … all men liars]
 Antipas was supposedly roasted alive in a hollow life-size bull, which had a bonfire under its belly, because Antipas refused to renounce his faith in our blessed Lord Christ Jesus. [Romans 12:2 … do not conform]
• Satan’s Throne … Where Satan Lives
o Satan is not omnipresent – He was right at home in Pergamum, comfortable, in control … Accept for the church in Pergamum!

CORRECTION:
14 BUT I have a few things against you. You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak [Moabite king] to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. 15 In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

• The Teaching of Balam: Numbers 22-25 (22:22-35 Balaam’s Donkey and The Angel of the Lord)

COUNCIL:
16 So repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

• Repent: Turn Back – Change Your mind!
o Jesus will wage war against them (the false teachers) with the sword!
• Jesus’ sword (true words) is lethal judgment to the lost (edge one)
• Jesus’ sword (true words) is a surgical scalpel (discipline) to Believers

COMMISSION:
17 Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give some of THE HIDDEN MANNA. I will also give him A WHITE STONE, and on the stone A NEW NAME is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.

• Conquering: Do not compromise with Balaam, the Nicolaitans, or any other false teaching of licentious sin and synchronistic false worship!
o Rewards : not gifts of grace but earned/enjoyed in the Millenium (possibly eternity)
• “… Scholars and theologians are greatly divided as to the specific significance of these three rewards …”

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