The Church at Pergamos
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Revelation 2:12-17
In our introduction to the seven churches of Asia Minor, we described the church at Pergamos as a faltering church.
Prophetically, we described the church as a patronized church — being patronized by false belief systems.
Pergamos was the capital of Asia Minor on a rocky hill, from which you could see the Mediterranean.
100 North of Ephesus - not a seaport - it was inland 15-20 miles.
Still exists as Bergamos today in Turkey.
It was a city known for its intellectualism; they had a library with 200,000 rolls of parchment.
The city was given over to Greek idolatry worshipping such pagan deities as Athena, Bachus and Zeus.
The altar of Zeus was discovered and put back together, you can visit it in Berlin.
This would have been around this time frame.
Jesus addresses the church as “He which hath the sharp sword with two edges.”
Let’s look first of all at...
I. The Commendation for the Church
I. The Commendation for the Church
He does have something good to say about them.
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.
What was the good he had to say, first...
A. Held Fast to Christ’s Name
A. Held Fast to Christ’s Name
Revelation 2:13a
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name...
They were in Satan's seat.
This highly intellectual city was given over to ecumenical thought…ever religion had it’s place in this city.
But the Christians held to their persuasion of Christ's deity.
Council of Nicaea, 325 A.D. — A man named Arius said Jesus was the highest form of created beings, but the council determines Arius wrong.
Interestingly, even as the council defended Christ's deity, it was presided over by a Roman Emperor (Constantine) which opened the door for the establishment of Papal Rome.
Satan hates the church and this city is where Satan based his home.
The word translated seat is actual the word thronos - or throne.
It is the basis of his work against God.
What a place for a church!
Is it any wonder that this city is the center for so much idolatry, and the seat where false doctrine began to seep into the church.
B. Did Not Renounce the Faith
B. Did Not Renounce the Faith
13b ...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 time period in Church history represented by Pergamos was 325-500 AD.
During this time there was much persecution, however there was still some who were persecuted.
This was during this time that Constantine I the emperor, was converted to Christianity, but began to lead the church into false doctrine of the Catholic church
Any who did not agree with the direction or doctrine were persecuted.
This was the vice of Roman Catholicism — many who would not submit to the dogma of Rome were murdered.
Antipas is mentioned specifically in this verse, was a first century saint who is believed to be the pastor here in Pergamos and was martyred — He was slowly roasted in fire in a brass bowl because he would not renounce Christ.
This is around the time, or shortly after, the writing of Revelation.
The church kept their faith even in the midst of persecution.
they were commended for their faith
But Jesus gives some words of correction...
II. The Contention against the Church
II. The Contention against the Church
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.
There were people who were being accepted in this church that were believing and accepting of... and maybe even trying to spread false doctrines.
The believers had begun to compromise with two major doctrines.
Hebrews gives us a warning...
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
James is clear that friendship with the world and life in Christ is incompatible.
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Satan could not destroy the church head on, so he infiltrated the church.
He began to slowly remove the effectiveness of the Christians through their false friendship with Christ.
The Word Balaam here is from the Hebrew words meaning to destroy the people (or destroyer of the people)
The Greek word Nicolaitan comes from two Greek Words meaning “to Conquer the people” (or conqueror of the people).
The two words basically mean the same thing, one the Hebrew name that brings back to mind a happening in the Old Testament.
The other a Greek word or name that some believe is connected to the establishment of the clerical rule of the church (Lording over the church).
There is little to no historical evidence for a sect of the Nicolaitanes in church history, only this passage and one other mentions this word…both found in Revelation 2.
First let’s look at the first one and the principle we can learn from this...
A. The Doctrine of Balaam
A. The Doctrine of Balaam
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.
Balaam was a prophet of God, but he loved gold.
Balak sent men to Balaam to convince him to curse Israel for him.
But the Lord told him no, he cannot go with these men to curse Israel.
Balak sent more more men to Balaam to tempt him with riches, but said he cannot go no matter how much they give him, if God does not allow it.
That night God told Balaam to go with the men if the men asked him to go again, but he could only say what God told him to say.
So Balaam goes with the men (there is no indication that he waited for the men to ask him again…in fact God is angry that he went…so the indication is that he went despite not being asked …we assume because he was greedy).
This is where on this journey an angel is sent to prevent Balaam from going…he was going to kill him.
But Balaam's donkey saw the angel and refused to go.
Balaam beet the donkey three separate times trying to get it to go, then God gave the donkey the ability to speak, and said, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”
Balaam says, basically, that it was because it wasn’t doing what he wanted.
Then the donkey replied, that She had been his donkey all of his life and had never refused to do what he wanted before.
So she must have been a reason.
Sure enough, God opened his eyes and he saw the angel.
The Donkey saved his life.
Because Balaam repented of what he planned to do (most likely to curse Israel for the king) the angel said go ahead and go with the men, but only say what I tell you.
He did as the Lord told him, and blessed Israel instead of cursing.
Balak took him to another place, I guess in hopes of getting away from the Lord, and try again.
Again Balaam blessed Israel.
So Balak tries again and takes him to another place… maybe it will work from here!
It did not work and Balaam blessed Israel then went home, however at some point, he must have approached Balak, King of the Moabites.
He suggested that the way to defeat Israel was to have the Moabitess women seduce Israel's men and lead them to idolatry.
16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.
Balaam's motto: “If you can't curse them, corrupt them.”
Thus, when Israel took the land in Joshua 14, they took Balaam with the sword.
He was killed for what he did.
God did not want the church tolerating compromise... Many times in churches there are people who knowingly and openly sin and it is never dealt with.
God gives a plan for church discipline - and the purpose of this is reconciliation!
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
The Purpose was reconciliation - Man with God and Man with Man.
But when the offending party refuses to repent, the plan is to cut them off from the church.
We must not allow false doctrine or compromise or sin to enter the church.
Many teach today it doesn’t matter how you live as long as you believe right…this is not true!
We cannot allow sin to enter the church.
Then there was a second doctrine mentioned...
B. Doctrine of Nicolaitans
B. Doctrine of Nicolaitans
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
The Name means — to conquer the people.
It is believed that the Nicolaitans made the clergy the channel to God, denied the headship of Christ, and the priesthood of the believer.
This led to the bishop rule of the Catholic Church.
From this concept came the belief in the “Priesthood” or clerical rule of the church.
From this came...
300 A.D. — Prayer for the dead
375 A.D. — Worship of saints
394 A.D. — Daily mass
500 A.D. — Priests wearing special clothing
543 A.D. — Doctrine of Purgatory
600 A.D. — Prayers to Mary (another mediator)
Probably more because this door was opened.
One of the main tenants of Baptist doctrine is the Priesthood of the Believer - every believer has access to God.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
But those who wished to lord over their church pushed this Nicolaitan system of belief.
When man is the “head”, the dogma changes.
When Christ and the Bible are the head, there is constancy.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
The role of pastor was never meant to place one man above any other.
We are equal at the foot of the cross.
The name pastor describes their function, to lead the flock.
The words elder, bishop and overseer (and pastor) were used interchangeably to describe the function of the roles, not a higher position.
Do not get your doctrine from a man - Get your doctrine from the Word of God.
But at the same time there is a sense of authority that the Pastor has...
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
The biblical requirements of a pastor includes...
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
These verses do not give the pastor absolute authority, rather it is written as a caution to those who hear the teaching of the Word of God to listen carefully to those who God has put there for them.
But the pastoral authority is limited only as they teach the Word of God.
When a pastor steps outside the bounds of the Word of God, they no longer have authority.
By the way behind both false doctrines (Balaam and Nicolaitan) was the desire to deceive the believers.
So Jesus praises the church for what they are doing right…Their commendation...
He Lets them know what they are doing wrong …The contention he has with them.
Now Jesus offers them what they need to do now...
III. The Correction for the Church
III. The Correction for the Church
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 is the correction given to the church?
A. The Need to Repent
A. The Need to Repent
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
A call to turn from compromise to commitment.
Turn from idolatry, immorality, spiritual infidelity.
God uses the word “He” that hath an ear…it is personal
we need personal repentance!
God uses the word “churches” … it’s for all the churches to hear.
God needs us to repent corporately as well.
It is both personal and corporate!
The call is for the church and the pastor and the people to repent.
Jesus says he will come and fight with the sword of His mouth…Jesus introduces Himself in verse 12 as he which hath the sharp sword with two edges.
The Word of God is the weapon used against false doctrine.
Stick to the Truth of God’s Word!
God will cleanse His church with the Word of God.
Chapel in Germany with this inscription
you call me master and obey me not
you call me light and see me not
you call me the way and walk me not
you call me life and live me not
you call me wise and yet you follow me not
you call me fair and you love me not
you call me rich and you ask me not
you call me eternal and you seek me not
and if i condemn thee then blame me not
it's so easy to give God lip service,“Oh I love you God!”
but we really love gold … we really love pleasure.
We are really worldly
Jesus said it like this:
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Repent and keep your eyes on Jesus!
B. The Promise of a Reward
B. The Promise of a Reward
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.
(to him that overcometh)
This is not the super Christians - but all true believers.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
But the Bible is clear that there are people who believe that they are believers…but are not
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
The Hidden Manna — for those who declined Balaam's compromise, God would give spiritual food.
48 I am that bread of life.
49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Who is the manna - Jesus Christ
The overcomer has eternal life
White Stone — For those who refused false teaching — a white stone.
White stones were used in this culture in various ways and at various times.
In the ancient courts a black stone meant guilt and a white stone meant acquittal.
if this is the meaning - we are declared not guilty!
In the Greek games the victors of the games would receive a white stone…this was their ticket into the feast celebration.
If this is the meaning - we are victorious and invited to Marriage Supper of the Lamb
In those days, a white stone was given to those who showed hospitality to a foreigner.
The host would be able to give that stone back if they were ever in their country and it would remind them of the hospitality that was shown to them, and they will be taken into their house and will feed them and take care of them.
If this is the meaning, we have housed Jesus in our hearts, and now we go to His Home!
New Name — not new as in comparison to old, but a different quality.
Deep personal relationship with Christ — no need for Nicolaitan Doctrine - No priest needed - Our relationship is changed!
What is the new name?
I don’t know Jesus said himself that no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The doctrine of Balaam's compromise abounds today
Don’t compromise with the world!
“So much of the world is in the church, and so much of the church is in the world, it is hard to tell the difference between the two.”
What is the world?
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
The lust of the flesh — Passions (God created desires, but outside of his framework for them)
The lust of the eyes — Possessions (I gotta have that!)
pride of life — Position (focus on me)
Don’t let the world infiltrate your life or your church!
Do not compromise!
If you find that the Holy Spirit comes to you and convicts you....Repent!
Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing preventing the least of His favor,
Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.
Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
Naught of this world’s delusive dream;
I have renounced all sinful pleasure;
Jesus is mine, there’s nothing between.
Nothing between, like worldly pleasure;
Habits of life, though harmless they seem,
Must not my heart from Him e’er sever;
He is my all, there’s nothing between.
Nothing between, like pride or station;
Self-life or friends shall not intervene;
Though it may cost me much tribulation,
I am resolved; there’s nothing between.
Nothing between, e’en many hard trials,
Though the whole world against me convene;
Watching with prayer and much self-denial,
I’ll triumph at last, with nothing between.
Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing preventing the least of His favor,
Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.