Revelation #9

Let us look at the third church this morning!



Revelation 2:12-17



To the Church in Pergamum

12"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

13"'I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith[a] even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war 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 the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'



Pergamum was a church that was know for its compromises! Not good! The city hosted a major pagan worship center and the emperor himself was considered to be a god. In verse 12 as Jesus reminds them that His Words cut, it is a reminder to them about the false teachers in their midst who were not teaching God's Word correctly. In verse 13 Jesus lets them know that He is aware of where they "dwell". What he is says is that He knows they are in great temptation where they live. He also mentions "satan's throne" which may be a reference to either the sinful lifestyle of the city or the pagan worship center. Jesus also mentions their are many who are holding fast to His name which means are faithful! They even stood strong in the midst of persecution as they has seen the faithful servant of Christ killed. In verse 14 Jesus tells them what is wrong: some were teaching the doctrine of Balaam who in the old testament sold his God ordained authority to the wicked King Balak. Here they were double minded thunking they could serve God and be in the world too! The there were some who were following the teachings of the Nicolatans who were teaching sexual and spiritual adultery in verse 15. God demands total obedience to Him and Him alone! So in verse 16 Jesus says repent! And if they did not Jesus was coming with judgement:



1 Corinthians 11:28-32



28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.



In verse 17 again Jesus is telling us to listen! Jesus also says in this verse If we conquer we will receive "the hidden manna" which John 6:48-51 explains:

John 6:48-51



48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."



Jesus also tells us he will give us a "new name" written on a stone that only the receiver will know.....won't that be cool!



Awesome Words from Jesus once again!



Tom