Revelation | Pt. 5 - The Church Of Pergamum

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Ephesus & Smyrna
Pergamum
Map of Asia
Near the famous city of Troy
Center of Roman Imperial Cult
40ft statute of Zeus
Famous for medicine & healing practices
Also a corrupt city = bathhouses & theater
Christians did not attend because live pronography and vulgarity
They refused to compromise their character to the culture around them
Pergamum
Revelation 2:12-13
Satan's city = Rough place to live for Christians
These Christians endured hardships
Antipas paid the ultimate price
Who is Antipas?
Etymology = Anti & Everything
Christiians were known for being anti-everything culture
Anti-entertainment
Anti-emperor worship
Anti-child exposure
Pro-life is not a right wing political stance but its has been the Christian stance for 2000 years
Christians were different
Strange and hated
Treated poorly because they didn't just go with the flow
They refused to compromise
Antipas was believed to be the pastor and killed for being different
Execution = Bull made of copper
This city is Satan's throne yet they endured
Christ commends them but has a word of correction for some

Balaam
Who is Balaam and what did he teach Balak?
OT person whose story is in Numbers 22-25
Balaam was a prophet not of God but Baal
Better understanding = witch
Lived at the time of Moses and was super famous
Would cast curses upon nations
Moses was an instrument for the kingdom of light and Balaam was kingdom of darkness
Numbers 22 = King of Moab, Balak, is scared of Israel
Sends for Balaam 400 miles away
At first Balaam says no
Balak offers a house full of silver and gold
7 different times Balaam tries to curse Israel
Numbers 23:7-8
This witch knew he had no power against God's people
The greatest witch today has no power over you
Enemy cannot place a curse on you but you can bring a curse on yourself
Revelation 2:14
Balaam had no power over Israel
But showed Balak how to entice them
Word entice = stumbling block, trap
How did Balak trap Israel
Numbers 25:1-3
Balaam showed Balak how to trap them
These soldiers had not seen their wives for a while
Beautiful women with no clothes led to worship false Gods
Real God got very upset
These men lowered their standards and compromised
Balaam couldn't bring a curse upon them so they brought one upon themsleves
What was Balaam's doctrine?
Enemy has no power over God's people to defeat the but God's people can defeat themselves with compromise
Jesus uses this OT story to grab their attention and then drive his point home

Nicolaitans
Revelation 2:15
Gnostic Christians = Spirit is good; flesh is evil
Very dangerous
Blended Greek Philosophy with Christian Theology
Blended Roman Culture with Christian Character
Because the flesh is evil some starve it others indulge it = Libertines
Did not matter what they did in their bodies
Blend in with Pergamum so we can reach them = be relevant
Sound familiar?
2nd Corinthians 6:14-16
We are supposed to be different
Practical of being in world but not of it
Only hire Christians?
Am I influencing them or are they infecting me?
Compromise of sin is serious buisness
What is Jesus saying to the Church at Pergamum Compromise leads to sin and sin leads to the curse

Power of the Word
Twice Jesus refers to the sword
Sword of the spirit = Word of God
Hebrews = double edged sword
Hide the Word in your heart so you do not sin
No witch can curse you but sin can
Compromise leads to sin
The Word will protect you
Not for information but transformation
Charles Spurgeon
Isaiah 55:10-11
The Word will change you and keep you
"I have read the Bible before and nothing."
Gipsy Smith = Don't go through the Bible let the Bible go through you
Closing
How do I let the Bible go through me?
Meditate
1 verse 1000x is better than 1000 verses 1x
Meditate mean to think on something over and over
No witch can place a curse on you
You can bring a curse on yourself by sin
But if you will get in the Word it will transform you to the image of Christ
And in the midst of your battle you can know that God is fighting for you
The enemy is already defeated
Jesus said I have a double edged sword. He will defend his true church
Revelation 2:17
White stone no guilt and entrance to the theater