Sermon Central
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Revelation Studies Series
Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Dec 21, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: Church at Pergamum
Revelation 2:12-17 Church at Pergamum
Revelation 2:12 Pergamum15 miles from Aegean sea, sixty miles from Smyrna, a modern town of Bergama (Turkish). Pergamum was a center of four pagan cults- Zeus, Athena, Dionysys, and esclepius and they had Blasphemous emperor worship. God calls it as Satan’s throne.
2:12 Angel of Pergamum
The Lord addresses to the Angel of the Church. Two interpretations: one the angel, two the pastor. Both are important. If an angel leaves the Church then the Prince of this world (John 14:30) will rule the Church.
He stands against the Pastors to put them in trouble Zechariah 3:1. Prince of the Persian Kingdom Daniel10:13, Angel encamps Psalm 34:7, covers you with feathers, wings, shield, and rampart Psalm 91:4, the wall of fire around it Zechariah 2:5 14:9.
Revelation 2:12 Double-edged sword:
It is nothing but God’s word (Isaiah 11:4), a sword of the Spirit is a word of God (Ephesians 6:17), the breath of his mouth (2 Thessalonians 2:8). It is Living & active, sharper than a double-edged sword, penetrates even diving the soul & spirit, joints & marrow, judges thoughts & attitudes. (Hebrews 4:12).
Other Powers of the word: fire to consume (Jeremiah 5:14). Hammer that breaks the rocks (Jeremiah 23:39). Saving power (Romans 1:16), reviving power (Ezekiel 37:7).
God’s Divine Knowledge about location, lifestyle, our struggles, and integrity. Nothing is hidden from God’s vision and views.
Your location He knows where you live in which apartment, house, with whom, with plenty or starvation, with peace or troubles, with cries and joys.
Truthful: Faithful & unfaithful, holding fast or renouncing the faith in troubles, persecution. True to My name: in your work spot, with friends, with relatives. True to my cause, true to my burden, true to my love and grace.
Antipas: Faithful witness and martyr. Many were raped, beaten, persecuted, killed, put to prison, received injustice, properties were stolen, looted all because of KoG. God looks for the faithful one in the Church, ministry, in every area of life. The last days are the signs of wickedness, ungrateful heart, evil for good.
Revelation 2:13 Satan lives and has throne: this refers to the cults and the emperor who ordered to worship him.
Satan is a true and real person (Job 1:6). He can think, acts (Mark 4:15) (takes away the word), speaks, deceives & tempts (Luke 4:13), Afflicts the saint's (Job 1:12), gives false promise (Luke 4:6) blinds the unbeliever's (2 Corinthians 4:4), guard and finally kills (John 10:11).
He has messengers (2 Corinthians 12:7). He is called Devil, Lucifer, and Lawless one (2 Thessalonians. 2:8-9) does miracles. He sows the weed. (Matthew 13:39). He prowls to devour (1 Peter 5:8). He holds the power of death (Hebrews 2:14).
Revelation 2:14 - Few things against you:
Teachings of Balaam: Evil associations, stumbling blocks, false doctrines.
Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong (Exodus 23:2). No treaty with unsaved (Exodus 34:12). Don’t walk in the counsel of wicked, nor stand in way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers (Psalm 1:1. Proverbs 4:14), do not desire the company of wicked (Proverbs 24:1). Do not associate with a sexually immoral, greedy, idolater, swindler, and slanderer; even do not eat with them (1 Corinthians 5:11). Do not yoke together with unbelievers, with followers of Baal (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). No party with ungodly friends.
Teachings of Balaam (Numbers 22:5) says he wanted to die as the just man (Numbers 23:10) but records reveal that he died as a wicked man (Numbers 31:8).Teachings of Nicolaitans.Seducers, heresy, deceivers. God will not spare the false teachers, pastors, evangelists, and believers.
Lips of a priest to speak the truth (Malachi 2:7), teachings caused many to fall (Malachi 2:8). Woe to hypocrites (Matthew 23:13) does not put any stumbling block or obstacle (Romans 14:13). Isaiah cries “I am a man with unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). Filthy language from your lips (Colossians 3:8). Guard lips to guard your life (Proverbs 13:3). May my lip overflow with your praise (Psalm 119:171).
Repent … I will come: weep and wail (Isaiah 22:12) return with fasting, mourning, weeping (Joel 2:12) unless you repent you too will be perished (Lk.13:3), repent from wickedness (Acts 8:22)
Repented: Ahab (1 Kings 21:27), Job (42:6), Nineveh (Jonah 3:6-9), Peter (Mark 14:72), Prodigal Son (Luke 15:21), The tax collector (Luke18:13).
Spiritual Food and Spiritual Gifts are the properties of victorious living.
Manna: Exodus 16:4 -heavenly food, Exodus 16:15 -Lord given food, 33 kept in the presence of the Lord; Numbers 11:6 -Israelites were frustrated by it, Jos 5:12 - God stopped it, Nehemiah 9:20 - God gave them Spirit-manna-water, Jn. 6:31 - Jesus better than Manna, 1 Corinthians 10:3 - food of wisdom.
The white stone is a symbol of purity, the new name is authority. New power, new acknowledgment, a new position.
