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The church of Christ in the New Testament 11 of 18 “The church in Pergamum” Revelation 2:12-17

The church of Christ in the New Testament 11 of 18 “The church in Pergamum” Revelation 2:12-17. Don R. Taaffe, Gospel Preacher, Dunedin, Florida 12/20/2009 AM.

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The church of Christ in the New Testament 11 of 18 “The church in Pergamum” Revelation 2:12-17

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  1. The church of Christ in the New Testament 11 of 18“The church in Pergamum”Revelation 2:12-17 Don R. Taaffe, Gospel Preacher, Dunedin, Florida 12/20/2009 AM

  2. 12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 "I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. 15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knowsexcept theone who receives it.(NRSV) Revelation 2:12-17

  3. Origin of Lord’s church The church in Antioch The church in Colosse The church in Corinth The church in Crete The church in Ephesus The church in Galatia The church in Dunedin The church in Jerusalem The church in Laodicea The church in Pergamum The church in Philadelphia The church in Philippi The church in Rome The church in Sardis The church in Smyrna The church in Thessalonica The church in Thyatira churches of Christ in the New Testament – 18 Lessons

  4. City of Pergamum • Also known as “Pergamos” – very rare use of the name (KJV); the feminine form of Greek - “Pergamum” is the common use in Greek and Latin. • Still exists today call “Bergama”, the ruins of the original city still there. The “city of temples.” Very large today. • The most northern of the seven cities, the official capital of Asia Minor, called ‘the most illustrious city of Asia”.

  5. City of Pergamum • Little known about this city and church, outside of these six verses, but what is known is a congregation that is proving faithful in the midst of great evil. • Somewhat indecisive regarding the false teaching that is trying to infiltrate their holy ranks. • Pergamum was the most pagan of the seven cities, all of which were devoted to some false deity.

  6. City of Pergamum • Pergamum became no for its sensuous worship and an imperial cult, enforcing loyalty to the “Lord Caesar”. • Local temples as legal centers for the region, test of loyalty that would challenge the faith of Christians, were simple to administer. • What is learned about this church is that she was an ancient forebear of our modern tendencies towards religious compromise to try to keep peace among brethren.

  7. City of Pergamum • Pergamum had one of the largest libraries of the ancient world, over 200,000 books • We’ve all heard of “parchment” which originated from this city and is named after the city • Its alter in the temples of Zeus was 40 feet in height, and is considered one of the wonders of the ancient world

  8. A church in a Wicked Environment • The life, work, surroundings of the church – A city “where Satan’s throne is” – Revelation 2:13 • Earth throne of Satan – Revelation 4:2 • First city to build a temple to Caesar – Said “Caesar is Lord” emperor worship • Demanded Christians to offer incense to the emperor – 1 Peter 4:14 (John 4:20-24; Phil. 3:3; 1 Cor. 14:25) Revelation 2:13 13 "I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives.(NRSV) Revelation 4:2 2 At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! (NRSV) 1 Peter 4:14 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. (NRSV)

  9. A church in a Wicked Environment • The author describes himself as having “the sharp two-edged sword” - Revelation 2:12; Hebrews 4:12 • The great martyr “Antipas” the faithful one, most likely killed because of upholding the name of Christ – Revelation 2:13; 3:8; Romans 9:17 (Acts 15:17; 9:15; John 16:23-26) • “did not deny your faith in him” – (Rev. 2:13; 1 Tim. 5:8) Galatians 3:26 Revelation 2:12 12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword: (NRSV) Hebrews 4:12 12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (NRSV) Romans 9:17 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed through- out the whole earth." (NASB) Revelation 3:8 8 "I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.(NRSV) Revelation 2:13 13 "I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. (NRSV) Galatians 3:26 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. (NRSV)

  10. A church in a Wicked Environment • “Thou holdest fast my name” – Revelation 2:13 • Christians must honor the name of Christ – Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16 • Idols cannot speak “Jesus is Lord” can your idol (money, whatever etc) speak – 1 Corinthians 12:3; John 20:28 • A sign out front, a cross, a tattoo? – Matthew 7:21-23; 10:33 Revelation 2:13 13 "I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. (NRSV) Matthew 7:21-23 21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?' 23 Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.' (NRSV) Acts 11:26 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians." (NRSV) 1 Peter 4:16 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.(NRSV) Matthew 10:33 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. (NRSV) 1 Corinthians 12:3 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says "Let Jesus be cursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit. (NRSV) John 20:28 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" (NRSV)

  11. The Lord Reproofs this church • “But I have a few things against you” – Revelation 2:14-15 • “Hold fast the doctrine of Balaam” (Nicolaitanes; Gnostics) – (Rev. 2:14-15; Num. 22:2-5) 1 Corinthians 8:13; Acts 15:29 • “a stumbling block” • “things sacrificed to Idols” • “committing sexual immorality” Revelation 2:14-15 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. 15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (NRSV) 1 Corinthians 8:13 13 Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall. (NRSV) Acts 15:29 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell." (NRSV)

  12. The Lord Reproofs this church 2 Peter 2:12-17 12 But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish. 13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad day-light. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. 14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed — an accursed brood! 15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey — a beast without speech — who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness. 17 These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.(NIV) Jude 11-13 11 Woe to them! For they go the way of Cain, and abandon themselves to Balaam's error for the sake of gain, and perish in Korah's rebellion. 12 These are blemishes on your love-feasts, while they feast with you without fear, feeding themselves. They are waterless clouds carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved forever. (NRSV) • Christ commended the Ephesians for opposing the Nacolaitans doctrine – Revelation 2:6 • These doctrines stand as a figurative representation of spiritual compromise with error, just to gain favor with infidels – 2 Peter 2:12-17; Jude 11-13 • Jesus hates the doctrine of the Nicolaitans – Revelation 2:6; Philippians 1:14 Revelation 2:6 6 Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (NRSV) Phil 1:14 14 and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear. (NRSV)

  13. The Lord Reproofs this church • This church lacked discipline – allowed the world to creep into the church – Romans 12:2 • It needed to glory only in Christ and his cross – Galatians 6:14 • We are told not to love the world or the things in the world – 1 John 2:15-16 • The brethren at Pergamum were tolerating the world in the church – 2 Timothy 4:2 (Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Thess 3:6) Romans 12:2 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be trans- formed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect. (NRSV) 1 John 2:15-16 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world — the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches — comes not from the Father but from the world. (NRSV) Galatians 6:14 14 May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (NRSV) 2 Timothy 4:2 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of sea- son. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (NKJV)

  14. The Lord’s Warning Revelation 2:16-17 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."' (NKJV) • “Repent and Overcome” – Revelation 2:16-17 • The guilty party must reform. ( A change of purpose, determination of mine would work such reform.) – 2 Corinthians 7:10 • If they did not reform Jesus would expect the church to withdraw fellowship of the unfaithful. • Otherwise others became partakers of the evil deeds – 2 John 11(1 Cor 5:1-8) 2 Corinthians 7:10 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.(NRSV) 2 John 11 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds . (NKJV)

  15. The Lord’s Warning • Two things promised to those who “overcame” – Revelation 2:17 • Allowed to eat of hidden manna – as Israel ate manna from heaven –we shall find every spiritual need and the physical needs well be met • We will receive a white stone written upon it – (going back to the time of Judges and a white or black stone show a vote) indicating a vote of innocence and covenant with Christ Revelation 2:17 17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."' (NKJV)

  16. The Lessons Learned 1 Corinthians 3:6-11 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. 9 For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building. 10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. (NRSV) Job 34:22 22 There is no darkness nor shadow of death Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. (NKJV) • We sometimes think we can hide from God – Job 34:22 • He is aware of our good deeds and our bad – 1 John 3:20; Luke 12:30-31 • Sometimes we become frustrated, it seems we are sowning good seed only to reap little in return, reap badly – we forget God gives the increase – 1 Corinthians 3:6-11 (Gal. 6:6-10) Luke 12:30-31 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJV) 1 John 3:20 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.(NRSV)

  17. The Lessons Learned 2 Peter 2:4-11 4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of deepest darkness to be kept until the judgment; 5 and if he did not spare the ancient world, even though he saved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood on a world of the ungodly; 6 and if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction and made them an example of what is coming to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man greatly distressed by the licentiousness of the lawless 8(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by their lawless deeds that he saw and heard), 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment 10 — especially those who indulge their flesh in depraved lust, and who despise authority. Bold and willful, they are not afraid to slander the glorious ones, 11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not bring against them a slanderous judgment from the Lord. ( NRSV) • Living near Satan’s throne –many of our world leaders today maybe as evil as the Emperor was in the days of the church of Pergamum • However imagine living in a country where worshiping Christ would have us put to death • America condones homosexuality, fornication, serial divorce and remarriage, looking the other way at lying, cheating, laziness, foul language, dirty jokes, extramarital sex and the list goes on and on – 2 Peter 2:4-11

  18. Summary Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said to them,"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NKJV) Revelation 2:10 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.(NRSV) • Pergamum was the church of subtle compromises, a group pretending to see and hear no evil, least they should be distracted enough to reject it and risk the disappointment and disapproval of the world • Let us raise above these false doctrines and become strong and faithful. • The starting point is our baptism in Christ Jesus – Acts 2:38 • And being faithful unto death – Revelation 2:10

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