The Letter to the church at Pergamos

1
The Letter to the church at Pergamos

• Revelation 212-17

2
The Letter to Pergamos

• Address To the angel of the church in Pergamos.
• Speaker
• He who has the sharp two-edged sword.
• This two edged sword came out of His mouth (Rev.
  116).
• The Hebrew writer uses this picture to refer to
  the word of God (Heb. 412).
• Thus, this sword proceeds from His mouth, as does
  the word of God.
• This is key for understanding the letter.

3
What Was Right With the Church

• They hold fast His name.
• Even though they dwell where Satans throne is.
• It was the first city to erect a temple to a
  Roman emperor, it was the location of alter of
  Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient
  world.
• All (even Christians) were ordered to offer
  worship to Caesar.
• It was known throughout the world for its
  Paganism, idolatry, imperialistic worship, and
  occult practices.
• Nevertheless, there were some in that city who
  were converted and came together to work as a
  local church.
• When most others called out to Zeus and the
  Egyptian gods, the Christians held fast to the
  name of Jesus.

4
What Was Right With the Church

• Do not deny the faith.
• When the vast majority of people around us
  contradict the doctrine that we teach it is
  difficult be strong in our faith.
• Teenagerspeer pressure.
• No denomination, no instrumental music, Bible
  authority are strange.
• Small group in the midst of large denominations.
• Intimidation.
• In spite of the hardship the church faced in
  light such extreme paganism, they held firm to
  their faith.
• Christ more important that popularity, than
  majority (Matt. 713-14).

5
Source of Authority

• Most in this city worship that for which they had
  no authority.
• Be impressed with the manner in which Jesus
  establishes His own authority.
• He who has the sharp two-edged sword (vs. 12).
• He is affirming that there is only one who has
  authority in spiritual matters.
• The words (comes out of His mouth) of Christ will
  cut/penetrate all that stand against them (2
  Cor. 105).
• Combined with His descriptions given to the other
  six church, Jesus established that He is the only
  true source of authority and He alone is worthy
  to be worshiped.

6
What was Wrong with the Church?

• A few that hold to the doctrine of Balaam.
• Though the congregation as a whole was on the
  right track, it only takes a few to ruin
  everything.
• Though some of the members were doing good
  things, they were tolerating those who were
  out-of-step with the Lords commands.
• Balaam cowardly compromise and immoral living.
  Cite modern examples (evolution/day-age
  denominations/making peace, etc. choosing
  worldly activities over spiritual.)

7
What was Wrong with the Church?

• Those who hold to the doctrine of the
  Nicolaitans.
• Different from the church at Ephesus which hated
  such deeds (26).
• This doctrine is described by Irenaeus as living
  in unrestrained indulgence, and by Clement as
  abandoned themselves to pleasures like goats in
  a life of shameless self-indulgence.
• Such is the case for many today who call
  themselves Christians but walk in all manner of
  lewdness and immorality.
• Notice Christs reaction to these things, which
  things I hate.
• We must take care lest we find ourselves doing
  the things that Christ hates.

8
Admonition

• Repent
• Turn, about-face.
• Cast of those deeds and begin doing that which
  Christ loves.
• Cast off self-indulgence, put on godly living.
• No longer compromise with the world, but hold
  fast to the faith and the doctrine of Chris.

9
Warning/ Threat

• Fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
• Word for fight here is to do battle, make war.
• Such would Christ do with all who do not turn to
  Him and obey Him.
• He will do battle with the two edged sword, His
  word of judgment.
• Proclamation of condemnation.

10
Promised Reward

• Eat of the hidden manna.
• Familiar to the Jews who had been sustained by
  manna in the wilderness.
• Spiritual manna even better.
• If Christians refrain from sinful indulgences and
  be faithful to Christ, they would be able to eat
  of this heavenly food.
• A white stone
• In judgment, white stone presented for innocent
  verdict, black stone for guilty verdict.
• Those who remain faithful would receive an
  innocent verdict.
• A new name Isa. 622
• We are given names by our earthly fathers.
• When we prove God to be our Father, He will give
  us a new name, we shall be His.