Lesson 5

Walter Lane

Sermon • Submitted 7 months ago • Presented 7 months ago

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Journey through Revelation Read God’s Word (2:12)

How does our Lord introduce His remarks to this church (2:12b)?

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Revelation 2:12 (NKJV)

12“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:

Jesus is telling the pastor of the church that He is the Word and it sharp like a two edge sword, being the Word of God.

Journey through Revelation Read God’s Word (2:12)

The Romans conquered the known world with their sharp two-edged swords. Therefore, this weapon is a symbol of authority, including the power of life and death. When Jesus speaks, He speaks the Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12). Our culture today is much like that of Pergamum because it worships many gods—money, success, fame, pleasure, etc. How do we know when these things become gods to us? Through reading the Bible! Why, according to the last phrase of Hebrews 4:12?

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Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

It tells us that the Word of God knows our thoughts and intentions in everything we do.

Journey through Revelation Recognize the Danger (2:13)

Like the believers in Smyrna, the Christians at Pergamum were suffering severe persecution. Therefore, Jesus says, “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is’ ” (2:13a). This means they were living in a city ruled by sin. Many people think Satan is presently in hell, but he’s not and won’t be until the end of the age (20:10). What does 1 Peter 5:8c–d reveal about Satan’s whereabouts and what he is doing right now?

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1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)

8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Satan is in this world looking all over for those he can tempt and devour with sin.

Journey through Revelation Recognize the Danger (2:13)

Jesus commends the church at Pergamum: “ ‘Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells’ ” (2:13c–f). Apart from this reference, nothing is known of Antipas. However, it is obvious he was a bold believer who refused to compromise the Gospel. We don’t know anything about his death, but we do know about his reward. Antipas could say what words of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:8a?

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2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)

8Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

He can tell us that Paul will receive the Crown of Righteousness from the Lord.

Journey through Revelation Reject False Teaching (2:14–15)

What is the teaching of Balaam? Balaam was a “prophet for profit.” He was hired by Balak, king of the Moabites, to curse Israel. When that failed, Balaam came up with a plan to get God to curse them. He advised Balak to seduce the Israelite men with pagan women (Num. 31:16). Therefore, what does Numbers 25:1b record about the Israelites?

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Numbers 25:1 (NKJV)

1 Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab.

The Israelites were sleeping around with the Moabite women.

Journey through Revelation Reject False Teaching (2:14–15)

The majority of the church didn’t participate in the sinful behavior of these two groups. However, they tolerated it and apparently refused to condemn it as sin. Churches and believers of whom Jesus approves must declare the truth of God’s Word and condemn all sin, including sexual immorality. However, they must also obey what command in Ephesians 4:15a?

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Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV)

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

Paul tells them that they need to condemn sin and tell the sinner about it with love.(not condemnation)

Journey through Revelation Repent of Sin (2:16)

After making His divine diagnosis, our Great Physician prescribes the cure. What is it (2:16a)?

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Revelation 2:16 (NKJV)

16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

Repent or suffer the consequences

Journey through Revelation Repent of Sin (2:16)

To those who refuse to repent, our Lord says, “ ‘If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth’ ” (2:16b). Making war with the sword of His mouth represents judgment (19:15). How does 1 Corinthians 11:31 describe the only way to avoid this judgment?

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1 Corinthians 11:31 (NKJV)

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

We must judge ourselves so we can recognize our sin and repent.

Journey through Revelation Rejoice in the Reward (2:17)

Jesus also says “ ‘to the one who conquers’ ” He “ ‘will give him a white stone, with a new name written on’ ” it, known only to the one who receives it (2:17c). The white stone seems to connect to a white stone used to gain admission to special events. It may refer to Revelation 19:9c. According to that verse, to what do you as a believer have a special invitation?

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Revelation 19:9 (NKJV)

9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”