FAITHFULNESS OR FORFEITURE Pergamum

#222                                    FAITHFULNESS OR FORFEITURE

            Pergamum

Scripture  Revelation 2:12-17, NIV                                                                             Orig. 9-14-1978

                                                                                                                                   Rewr. 3-6-1989

Passage: 12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

Purpose: Leading a Bible study for adults in Church Training

Keywords:                    Bible Study                  Revelation

Timeline/Series:           Revelation Letters        Pergamum

Introduction

            An appropriate beginning place this evening is an overview of these seven letters.  All consist of the same seven units. (Turn to one, follow.)

1.       Superscription to the church. 1, 8, 12, 18, 1, 7, 14

2.       Description of the divine author. 

3.       Account of spiritual condition.  1

4.       Message of praise or censure.

5.       Exhortation of some special need.

6.       Promise to the one overcoming.  7, 11, 17, 26, 5, 12, 21

7.       Attention commanded to Spirit.

            With that we come to Pergamos, the sensual church, the church in the world.  Its name speaks of unholy union.  Name means “very thoroughly married.”  We encounter a church in a very worldly city more caught up in the city and its enterprises than in her Lord.

I.          Reminder of the Spirit’s Passion to Protect.  V12 “These things saith he that hath the sharp sword with two edges.”

            The knowledge of their Lord is complete.  He knows.  He wills to protect (faith/failure).  He does not hesitate to chide.

            His weapon is two-edged sword.  For care: to chasten.  One for war; one for wit.  Same blade to prune, to cut away the churlish undergrowth.

            He knows the circumstance in Pergamos.  Pliny: “The most famous city in Asia.”  Provincial capital for 400 years (from 133b).  Library of 200,000 parchment rolls, vellum invented here: Aristophanes [librarian of Alexandria was] enticed.  Ptolemy locked him up.  Religious center:  Acropolis; Altar-Zeus; Asclepios, god of healing; center for emperor worship.  “Where Satan’s seat.”

            One other thought on “sword”: proconsul had right of sword over lives of people.  They had protector.

II.         A Record of Those Who Are Faithful to Obey.  V13 “I know where thou dwellest, . . . and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith.”

            Word for “live” suggests permanent residency.  Believers often looked upon as sojourners, outsiders.  Smyrna—“I know you.”  Pergamos—“I know where you live.”

            In the midst of such surroundings they were faithful.  Works are seen as commitment under fire.  Some were making supreme sacrifice.

            Pergamum puts me in mind of New Orleans.  “The city that care forgot”—Mardi Gras—“Fat City.”  Twelve pastors in New Orleans still,  who were before me.  Nolan Johnson died at his desk.

III.       A Reaction Against Satanic Influence.  V14 “Thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, . . . So . . . also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.”

            Old Testament reference to Balaam.  Doctrine—“teaching about”; See Numbers 23: temptation of Israel to idol worship.

            Reference to Nicolaitans: prior in 2:6: compare Ephesians 4:14f, 5:11 “Have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness.”

IV.       A Reminder of Individual Christian Duty.  V15 “Repent; or else I will come to thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”

            As at Ephesus, they were to repent.  There, they were technically correct, but had an unloving spirit.  Here an error pervaded their witness, and went unchallenged.

            The weapon of discipline is the same as the weapon of defense.  1:16 “Out of his mouth . . . a sharp double-edged sword”;  19:15 “Out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword; that with it he should smite the nations.”  The sword of Rome was in heavy use.  By His word Christ would win the war.

            Two promises for the overcomers.  The hidden manna: (Exodus 16:32f/Hebrews 9:4): secreted by Jeremiah (II Maccabees) to be restored to the Messiah.  The white stone: mined near, used extensively—Tried and acquitted of crime; freed from slavery; victor in the games; warrior home from wars.

***THE REMAINDER OF THIS SERMON HAS BEEN LOST***