THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA #3

Rev. 2:12-17 - Pergamos (The Compromising Church--Balaam)

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. In this lesson, we continue our study on the seven churches of
      Asia.
      1. Christ had the apostle John to write to only seven churches.
         There were many which existed at that time.
      2. As we have mentioned in our prior lessons, these seven
         letters give an overview of the conditions of all churches.
         a. All churches today are in some way similar to these
            seven churches.
         b. We ourselves may be identical to any one of them, or
            we may have a combination of any of their
            characteristics.
      3. Thus, the epistles serve as a guide to help us see our
         relationship to Christ.
         a. To be more pleasing to Christ, a true church of the
            Lord.
   B. There is a general pattern followed in each of the letters.
      1. Designation.  The Lord's description of Himself.  Each one
         was different.
      2. Commendation - The Lord's phrase for the good qualities,
         and for the good they were doing.
      3. Condemnation - His rebuke for the evil that was among
         them.
      4. Warning - He shows what would happen if they did not
         correct their sins, shortcomings, and error.
      5. Exhortation - His encouragement to faithfulness.
      6. Promise - His assurance of blessing to those who overcome
         (prevail, remain faithful).
   C. This was the general pattern.
      1. Of course, there were some differences; e.g., the church at
         Smyrna did not have condemnation and warning because
         there was no criticism made against it.

I. THE LORD'S DESIGNATION.  Rev. 2:12
   A. Christ addresses Himself as having a sharp twoedged sword.
      1. The phrase "sharp twoedged sword" is used:
         a. Of the Word of God.  Heb. 4:12; Eph. 6:17
         b. Of chastisement.  Rev. 1:16; 19:15

II. THE LORD'S COMMENDATION.  Rev. 2:13
   A. Satan had a seat (throne ASV) in Pergamos and dwelled there; he
      ruled with control over its citizens.
      1. The city of Pergamos is said to have been a seat for emperor
         worship.
      2. In chapter 13 of Rev., we are introduced to a beast who
         received his power from the dragon who is Satan.  Rev.
         13:1-2; 12:9
         a. The devil was using the Roman Empire, represented in
            the emperor, to war against the saints.
         b. Images were set up to make worship of the emperor
            easier and those who refused to worship the image were
            punished severely.
         c. Thus, those with the mark of the beast were those who
            yielded to the idolatrous edicts of the Roman emperor. 
   B. Christ said, "Thou holdest fast my name."  (KJV).
      1. This would include suffering shame and reproach for His
         name.  Acts 5:40-42; 1 Pet. 4:14-16
      2. Also, it involves upholding His name and all that goes with
         it.  Col. 3:17; 3 John 7
   C. He added, "Hast not denied my faith."
      1. One could deny the faith in:
         a. Works.  Titus 1:16
         b. Lack of support for his own.  1 Tim. 5:8
         c. An open denial of the Lord.  Matt. 10:31-33; 2 Pet. 2:1
         d. In order to escape persecution.
            (1) This was not done in Pergamos.  Even though one
                of them had been put to death for his faith, they
                remained loyal to the Lord.
            (2) In the book of Revelation, the forces of evil are
                engaged in battle with the forces of righteousness.
                (a) The dragon, identified as the devil, uses the
                    force of the Empire embodied in the
                    emperor, and the forces of false religion,
                    embodied in paganism and emperor worship.
                (b) These forces gained enough power in those
                    days to not only persecute, but to execute
                    the people of God.
            (3) Nothing more is known of Antipas than what is
                said in verse 13.
                (a) Our English word "martyr" (as in the KJV)
                    comes from the Greek word "martur" which
                    means "witness" (as in the ASV); hence, it
                    means "one who bears witness by his death."

III. THE LORD'S CONDEMNATION.  Rev. 2:14-15
   A. Balaam taught Balac (king of Moab) to lead Israel into sin that
      they might be cursed for their sin.
      1. Num. 25:1-5 gives the sin which Balaam promoted, and
         Num. 31:8-17 gives the final punishment that resulted.
      2. Both Peter and Jude spoke of the evil prophet Balaam.  2
         Pet. 2:15-16; Jude 11
   B. Evidently, for their own selfish ends, some of the members of  
      the church in Pergamos were teaching that one could partake of 
      the immoralities of the heathen festivals.
      1. This involved eating things sacrificed to idols and         
         committing fornication.
   C. The church at Ephesus hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans (2:6),
      but Pergamos had some who held to them.
      1. In both instances the Lord said He hated it and,            
         accordingly, His followers are to manifest the same attitude
         toward all false doctrines and erroneous practices.  Rom.   
         12:9; Psalm 119:104

IV. THE LORD'S WARNING.  Rev. 2:16
   A. The whole church was told to "repent" for allowing such
      wickedness in their midst.
      1. The shows congregation's responsibility with regard to
         discipline.  See also, 1 Cor. 5:4-5; Matt. 18:15-17
      2. This also shows the importance of discipline.
         a. Error and sin cannot be tolerated among us.  We cannot
            close our eyes to sin and let it remain within.  1 Cor.
            5:6; Gal. 5:9
            (1) Church discipline has to do with our identity
                before the Lord.
         b. The church is to make diligent effort to convert and
            restore the erring, and as a last resort, if they will   
            not repent, it must withdraw from them.
   B. If proper action was not taken, and those yielding to the false
      seductive teaching did not repent, Christ would come swiftly to
      the church at Pergamos and execute judgment upon the guilty.
      1. Just what action the Lord was about to take, we are not     
         told,  but His language implies that His punishment would be
         immediate and severe.
      2. They had to immediately correct their idolatry, immorality,
         and error.

V. THE LORD'S PROMISE.  Rev. 2:17
   A. He who overcomes will receive:
      1. Hidden manna (spiritual food, John 6:49-51; similar to the
         tree of life Rev. 22:2).
      2. A white stone (some type of gift or blessing from God).
      3. A new name (a new identification or final recognition by the
         Lord in the hereafter). 

Concl.
   A. How do we stand in relation to these things?
      1. What if the Lord had an inspired person write, "And to the
         church in __________ write..."
         a. Are we holding fast the name of the Lord?
         b. Have we in any way denied the name of the Lord?
         c. Do we have some here, who, like Balaam, cast a
            stumbling block before others?
   B. The best way to keep the church strong in the Lord, is for     
      every member to be strong in the Lord.
      1. Don't be a weak Christian who continually needs to be
         prodded and helped along.
      2. Be a strong Christian who adds strength, truth, and         
         stability to the church in __________.