REV.#6~2:12-17 PERGAMOS {about 350 to about 590 A.D.}
Today we’ll continue our study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, this is our 6th study of this great book, this is the only book of Prophecy in the New Testament, there are many prophetic references in the N.T., but this entire book is prophecy. John penned it down as he was exiled on the small Island of Patmos at the hand of the Roman Emperor Domecian, but in reality God had foreordained this to be, for the spaciveice purpose of giving the Revelation to John, in order that you and I and all man kind could have a look at what was certain to come.
We’ve come now to the church of Pergamos, the 3rd church of the 7 that the Lord Jesus writes about in chapters 2 & 3.
The time period of this church is from about “350-590 A.D.
Again let me remind us in case there’s some listening for the 1st time, that these 7 particular churches was selected by God for the purpose of reviling the entire Church age, from Pentecost, when the True church was born, until the rapture, the rapture takes place as the last church period is at its peak, the church period known as the Laodician period, and without a doubt we’re there now. So the True Church has been building now for over 2000 years.
Let me give you the names of the 7 Churches once again; Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Ephesus was the Apostolic church period, and already they were rebuked by the Lord Jesus, Who is the Head of His True church, for leaving their 1st love.
From time to time I use the phrase,” the true church” simple because every assembly, or organization that calls its self-Gods church, is not Gods True Church at all, these are under the big umbrella of Christendom, but are really not real Christians according to measure that God has set forth. These dear people have religion minus salvation.
And then the 2nd church, the church of Smyrna, this was the most persecuted period of the True church, many gave their life for the testimony of Jesus Christ
And so that brings us to the 3rd church that we read about here in Chapter 2:, the church of Pergamos, this, as we’ll see, is the church period when the church begin walking arm and arm with the world. –THE WORLDLY CHURCH-- church and state, arm and arm.
~ Pergamos, the Compromising Church, Called “the greatest city in Asia Minor,” Pergamos had the first temple dedicated to Caesar.
Persecution was terrible in the Smyrna period, but then Constantine comes on the scene. He became Emperor of Rome and he also became a so-called “Christian.”**
Since he needed the Christian religion in order to control the majority of the people, he stopped the persecutions that took place as we considered Smyrna believers; Christianity was looked upon now with great favor. After all now the Emperor was a “Christian”.
Pergamos means “marriage”, Constantine married the Church & State, and Christianity was made the State religion.
Pergamos was known chiefly for its many religions. There were temples erected in honor of many gods. Some of its chief deities were Zeus, Aphrodite, Aes-cula-pius, Aes-cula-pius being the god of medicine who was worshiped under the form of a serpent ***
In 312 A. D. Constantine the Great as he was called, the emperor of Rome, was carrying on his conquests of the world. He was having many military problems, and then one day he announced that he had seen in the sky a giant cross, and over it were these words: “In this sign thou shalt conquer.”
The pagan king took this to mean that if he would embrace the Cross he would be victorious, and so in what probably was an act of desperation he professed to become a Christian and decreed that the religion of the Roman Empire must henceforth be Christianity.
Seeing his victories, he made the religion of Christianity the state religion, he ordered all his armies to be baptized, and began a time of Church history, which many historians said “was a great blessing”, but in reality became a curse.
The Church became the ward of the state, and the Roman Empire began to patronize and subsidize the Church. Church and state became one.
The Church was supported by the state and the wealth of the empire was placed at the disposal of the Church officials. --Soon the emperor also became the head of the Church and so the union of Church and state was complete.
Ø The Church then as it were, married to the state soon began to dictate not only the powers of religion but also the powers of government.
Listen as I read verses 12-17 of Rev. 2:
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Everyone accepted Christianity there in Pergamos. How many accepted Christ is not known, probably very few, from this era is found the decline of spiritual power of the Church.
With all this wealth at her disposal and with the state to subsidize and protect her, the Church soon became cold, worldly, indifferent, proud and powerless. Many professed Christianity because it was popular, but few possessed Christ.
Ø But in every church period there were true believers.
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; Hebs. 4:12 says this is the Word of God.
Remember, Pergamos was know for its religion, they worshipped many gods, one being named, “Aes-cula-pius” and was recognized as the god of medicine and was worshipped in the form of a serpent.
13** I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
That’s why Jesus said that this assembly was situated in the city where Satan’s seat [throne] is” (2:13).
Satan’s throne is not in hell. The thought of Satan’s headquarters being in hell is not so. Satan is “the prince of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Jesus said so on at least three occasions.
Paul and John both taught that Satan held leader-ship over this world system (2 Corinthians 4:4; [god of this age] Ephesians 2:2; [prince and power of the air] 1 John 4:4-greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
This religious city was an ideal place for Satan to establish his headquarters inasmuch as his most effective work is accomplished through religious organizations and institutions.
Ø Satan don’t care how much religion you have just don’t get saved, there’s countless religions in the world but only one salvation, in fact Satan wants you to have religion, but don’t you dare get saved, Satan don’t dare want to get involved with a person who has religion, he wants that person to just sit tight, Satan has soon to take a soul to hell of the church pew as he had a bar stool, in fact he probably enjoys it more.
While communism and atheism are enemies of Jesus Christ and under Satan’s control, Satan himself operates to his greatest advantage through his demons that pose as ministers of righteousness 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.).—ANGELS OF LIGHT--
Again--13** I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
The Lord praised them for their doctrinal faithfulness. He calls it “My faith.” “My faith” means “your faith in Me” many trusted Him as Saviour and Lord.
Like their brothers and sisters in Smyrna, the believers in Pergamos had suffered persecution, and one of them named “Antipas” had died for the faith. v 13-
~ This is the only place in the bible we read about Brother Antipas, we know nothing at all about him, but the Lord knows everything about him, he’s forgotten by the people of the world but not by the Lord. ~He makes a point to mention him here.
In spite of much persecution the true believers had remained true to God. They refused to drop incense on the altar and say, “Caesar is Lord.”
The Lord Jesus describes Himself with these words,(“He which hath the sharp sword,” v. 12) and this would encourage His people there in Pergamos, because the sword was also the symbol of the Roman Ruler. It was more important that the church fear Christ’s sword than the Roman sword! (v. 16)
~~The middle verse of the bible says, PS.118: 8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam,[prophet]* who taught Balac [king of Moab] to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
The way of Balaam refers to preaching and prophesying for money and gain, making a “racket” of the Gospel.
This church was noted for “Balaamism”, King Balak wanted Balaam to curse Israel but could not, as God gave him commandment to bless Israel.
But Balaam did teach Balak how to get Israel to sin and mingle with the Gentiles of Moab and loose their status as a separated people.
Israel didn’t know Balaam had any part of the scheme; Israel had gotten into forbidden relationships with the women of Moab and Participated in their idol worship, and because of their sin 24000 men of Israel were killed.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, was the setting up of a distinct class of men called clergymen and the denial of the common priesthood of all believers. They wanted more authority over ever body else.
There’s no man that can pop his spiritual suspenders and announce that he is the priest of that a N.T. congregation.
A priest offers sacrifices. Jesus Christ is the High Priest of the True Church. He has offered himself as the final sacrifice. Because He offered himself He has entered heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.
We don’t need priests in our churches. A priest also offers worship. Since all of the redeemed may now offer their own worship it is no longer necessary that human priests worship for us.
~ In the N.T. church there’s not an individual in the assembly that is a true priest over that group of believers, only Israel had priest, they were all of the tribe of Levi, we don’t have priest over a true church today.
The Nicolaitans instituted different dress codes for the clergy. They brought a pagan mass into worship and began to lord over and dominate the people. God hates this so called priesthood.
Christ is not visible now in the Pergamos church. Pagan communion has replaced the pure and simple Lord’s Supper.
God’s promise to the overcome is always associated with the way the devil is afflicting each church. In this case he was hiding the gospel of Jesus in paganism. People thought they were receiving a Christian message, but Christ was hidden behind ritual and ceremony.
The influence of paganism in Pergamos increased year by year. As it heads toward the church of Thyatira.
The church began to shroud itself in mystery and rituals bearing resemblance to Babylonian mysticism. Celibacy of the priests and nuns, which has no scriptural verification, was invented.
Other doctrines the church instituted in this time period were, - Making prayers for the dead, - Making the sign of the cross, - The worship of saints and angels, - The institution of mass, -
The worship of Mary, - Priests began to dress differently than the laymen-
Doctrine of extreme unction, - Doctrine of Purgatory, - Worship service conducted in Latin, and - Prayers directed to Mary. All of these are non-biblical doctrines
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
What does the white stone with a new name signify?
Some courts of law in John’s day gave the defendant a white stone when he was acquitted and a black stone when he was found guilty.
The white stone with a new name on it shows the believer’s complete acceptance and favor of God.
