A Call to be Consumed by Christ #4

A Call to be Consumed by Christ

The Church at Pergamum

Revelation 2:12-17

Intro:

Last week we heard Christ's message to the local church in Smyrna. It is only one of two churches that Jesus addresses which don't receive a negative evaluation. He acknowledges that He knows the persecution they were enduring at the hands of the Roman government (demanding emperor worship) and the persecution coming from the unsaved Jews. Christ warned them about a coming persecution which will lead to the death of some. He reassures them that if they die, He will reward them with the crown of life. Christ states that a true believer is an overcomer and will never enter the final abode of the unsaved, which is a place of eternal torment.

This week we will hear Christ's message to the church at Pergamum. Pergamum was the ancient capital of Asia, which was built on a cone-shaped hill rising 1,000 feet above the surrounding valley. The Greek word means citadel and is the origin of the word parchment (lit. “from Pergamum”). There is a legend that parchment was first manufactured here. The people of Pergamum worshiped power. The first temple of the Caesar-cult was erected here in 29 BC. They also worshiped Zeus – the god of power. The altar from Zeus' temple is presently in the Berlin museum. There was not a distinction between religion and politics in Pergamum. The pagans saw religion as politics and politics as religion. This became a temptation for the Christians to compromise their beliefs and conduct for political gain. Christianity has always had a precarious relationship with politics. When government is on the side of Christianity, it tends to weaken the church. When government is against Christianity, it tends to persecute it (which inevitably makes the church stronger). Sadly, persecution throughout church history has led the church to seek political power as a means of protection and self-preservation. In time, the church becomes indistinguishable from the surrounding culture and spiritual ineffective. Ed Hindson observes the following, “It has been observed more than once that the ultimate weakening of Christianity occurs whenever we confuse spiritual authority with political power.” The church is called to make disciples of Christ through the Word of God, evangelism, discipleship, and prayer. None of this is accomplished through political means.

The church in Pergamum was faced with the temptation of seeking political power. This power came with a price. The idols and immorality were a part of the package, which made the church worldly. A worldly, sin-infested church won't be a godly testimony to unsaved people.

I) Christ's self-description to the church in Pergamum (12)

Christ begins His address to the local church in Pergamum by referring to Himself as, “the One who has the sharp two-edged sword.” (12). This is intentional and done by Christ for effect. This church is in need to a reminder of Christ's holy hatred of sinful living. The author of Hebrews refers to the Word of God with this imagery (Heb. 4:11-13). The Word of God reveals our true motives and attitudes. God sees and knows everything. The Word of God separates things. It separates saved and unsaved, it separates righteousness and sin. Christ is about to warn this church that if there is not repentance on the part of the sinning offenders, He is going to come and unleash this sword on them (cf. v. 16).

II) Christ knows their circumstances (13)

Christ informs them that He knows exactly where they live. In fact, He describes Pergamum as the place where Satan lives! Jesus says that Satan's throne is located in Pergamum. Pergamum was the official center of emperor worship in Asia. Christ commends them for remaining faithful to Him. They didn't deny Him by worshiping the Roman emperor Domitian. They didn't abandon the faith to avoid persecution. Christ mentions Antipas (lit. “Against all”) who was killed among them. Antipas was the first martyr in Asia. Tradition has it that he was slowly roasted to death in a bronze kettle during Domitian's reign (AD. 81-96). Jesus refers to Antipas as “My witness, My faithful one.” Wow, what a way to be known by Christ! Jesus is pleased with Antipas' faithfulness to Him, which resulted in death. Christ strongly emphasizes the strong Satanic presence in Pergamum. It is a reminder of the strong demonic presence and influence in Asia (Eph. 6:10-17).

III) Christ's warning to the church in Pergamum (14-16)

Christ proceeds to expound a few things that are displeasing to Him in Pergamum (14). There are some in the church who believe/practice the teaching of Balaam. Balaam advised the Midianites how to lead the Israelites astray by intermarrying with the Jews (Num. 25:1-2; 31:16; cf. Jude 11). The Israelites married unbelievers and began worshiping other gods. This is a fitting parallel to what was happening in Pergamum. The false teaching in Pergamum deceived believers by inciting them to live worldly lives. The believers in Pergamum were likely being encouraged to intermarry with non-believers. The false teachers led believers to think that God didn't care if they lived sinfully. This was a damaging teaching in the early church, a destructive cancer. Unrestrained sinful living by Christians is repeatedly condemned in the N.T. (Rom. 6:1-7, 12-14; Eph. 5:13-14). When Jesus mentions eating things “sacrificed to idols” He was alluding to how this practice was preceded by idol worship. This was not proper for a Christian. “Committing acts of immorality” usually had to do with temple prostitutes, which were a part of idol worship. Christ hates these things! The line between Christian teaching and living was being blurred with worldly living.

Jesus says that they also have some in the church who believe/practice the teaching of the Nicolaitans (15). The Nicolaitans were a cult that sprang up within the church. They believed and taught that believers could worship idols. This led them to teach that worshiping Domitian was not a problem. They also encouraged believers to live in immorality because God had already forgiven their sin. All of this false teaching includes license to live in unrepentant sin without consequence. Christ told the Ephesian church that they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans and so does He (Rev. 2:6). Jesus hates false teaching. Christ hates any teaching that is contrary to the Word of God.

Christ concludes His observation of false teaching and ungodly living in Pergamum by calling the church to repent (16). He guarantees that if they don't repent He is going to make war against those involved in this false teaching and immoral living. This sword is a long sword, similar to a spear, which is sharp on both sides. This judgment is a real time judgment on those individuals involved in the false teaching and immoral living. When Christ returns at the end of the 7 year Tribulation Period, He will kill the armies of those who oppose Him with the sword which comes from His mouth (Rev. 19:15-16, 19-21).

IV) Christ's promised reward for true believers (17)

Christ invites the saved who are spiritual sensitive to listen to, and act on what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches (17). Every true believer will overcome and will receive a reward in heaven. Every true believer will receive some of the hidden manna. Manna is heavenly food, which every true believer will receive because he is in heaven. Christ also promises a second reward to true believers. Every overcomer will receive a white stone which has a new name written on it. Only the individual knows the name which is written on the stone. Some have viewed this as a replica of the contemporary practice of giving a stone as an invitation to an event, in this case heaven. Alford proposes that the significance is found in the new name inscribed on the stone, which represents acceptance by God, signified in the new identity. The parallel is found in the biblical teaching on having a new identity through regeneration (2 Cor. 5:17).

Conclusion:

Pergamum is warned that if those involved in the false teaching and worldly living do not repent, Christ is going to judge them. He says He is going to make war against them with the Word of God. There were people in the church who were living worldly lives and encouraging others to do the same. Christ warns impending judgment on these people unless they repent. Sadly, the church in Pergamum was tolerating this ungodly living. The church in Ephesus excommunicated unrepentant individuals like this until they repented of their sinful living, and Christ approved of the church's response (Rev. 2:2-3, 6).

True believers, who are called overcomers, will receive rewards in heaven (manna and a white stone inscribed with a new name). This is an encouragement for true believers to faithfully obey God's Word and not compromise the truth of God's Word.