Bible Study - Church (5) - Vigilant Against Complacency - Revelation 3:1-6 - July 4, 2021

 

Bible Study – Church (5) – Vigilant Against Complacency – July 4, 2021

This is lesson five in our series entitled, “The Church GOD Desires.”

Our focus scripture is Revelation 3:1-6:

Stay alert and focused on the things of GOD.

Complacency, is the enemy of the church. Most of the new vehicles we drive today are equipped with early warning devices to alert you when we are drifting toward the shoulder of the road or centerline of the highway. Our attention can be easily diverted to the scenery surrounding us or some distraction to cause us to drift.

The church in Sardis was located about 40 miles southeast of Thyatira at the junction of five (5) major travel routes. Location, location is important.

Sardis was one of the oldest cities in the region. It was founded 1200 BC. Sardis was a thriving city. They had a population of 120,000 people and were the first to mint silver coins. They also had a profitable wool industry.

The citizens of Sardis felt secure because the city was located on top of a mountain with the acropolis located 1,500 feet high at the summit of the precipice. They were snug as a bug in a rug.

When we feel secure, what does our human nature often do? We relax and become complacent.

But what often happens when something is deemed secure and cannot be conquered? It becomes a target of their enemy. This what happened to Sardis. The enemy watched how they got up to the top. The defenders of Sardis got slack/complacent and were not vigilant. They were conquered.

Does this give us, as Spirit-born Christians, a clue why we become the target of Satan and his forces? All Christians have an enemy, Satan, but we also are secured by the shed blood of JESUS. Christians cannot lose their salvation. They can lose their witness when they become complacent and allow the things that GOD declares evil to become things Christians either ignore or embrace.

Let’s explore!

This is the fifth church JESUS asked the Apostle John to write about as HE dictated HIS message to the church.

The church in Sardis was commended for having a faithful remnant.

Sardis was rebuked for:

-         Having the reputation of being “alive” while actually being “dead.”

-         Failing to complete their works.

Let’s read Revelation 3:1-2:

“Write this to the angel of the church in Sardis:

These are the words of the one who holds God’s seven spirits and the seven stars: I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, and you are in fact dead. ² Wake up and strengthen whatever you have left, teetering on the brink of death, for I’ve found that your works are far from complete in the eyes of my God. 

Again, JESUS instructed John to “Write” to the messenger, angel or pastor, of the church in Sardis. JESUS gives HIS credentials of authority. HE is The ONE WHO Holds GOD’S seven spirits and the seven stars. JESUS is intimate with the church in Sardis. HE “knows.” How does HE know? It is because HE walks among the church and knows the heart of its people.

JESUS knew the hearts of the Christians in Sardis and “knew” they appeared to be “alive” but in fact they were “dead.” How can that be?

Do we have churches today that appear to be alive and “on fire for GOD but are dead?” Many people are searching for the church that is alive, but is it? Are they going through the motions and appealing to their human emotions rather than that which comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit? Is truth being preached, taught and lived?

JESUS knew the “reputation” of the church in Sardis. What is the reputation of our church or the church where you worship?

Only the Holy Spirit can discern the truth. Even when the Holy Spirit discerns the truth and we are lacking, are we willing to change?

What is JESUS’ solution? It is inventory time. “² Wake up and strengthen whatever you have left, teetering on the brink of death, for I’ve found that your works are far from complete in the eyes of my God.”

We saw in last week’s lesson that GOD gave “Jezebel” time to get her act together but she didn’t. GOD gives HIS Children and HIS church/body the opportunity to change but when enough is enough, HIS wrath is unleashed. But until HIS wrath comes down, there is opportunity to change.

In the Old Testament, we read in Zachariah 4:1-4:

The messenger speaking with me returned and woke me like one who awakens someone who is asleep.

² Then he said to me, “What do you see?”
I said, “I see a lampstand
    made entirely of gold.
        It has a bowl on top.
        The bowl has seven lamps on top
        and seven metal pipes for those lamps.
³     It has two olive trees beside the lampstand,
        one to the right of its bowl and one to the left.”
⁴ I responded to the messenger speaking with me,
    “What are these, sir?”

 

Do we need for GOD to wake us up and reveal to us that the Holy Spirit is abundant, as represented by this endless supply of olive oil that goes back to the source of the olive oil, the olive tree or JESUS?  

 

Sardis was secure on top of the mountain but an earthquake eventually leveled the mountain. Was the church in Sardis complacent because they were secure? Did GOD have to show them that they were only secure in JESUS?

It is never too late to change. Once the Holy Spirit reveals that you are traveling on the wrong path and in the wrong direction, stop and change directions as the Holy Spirit leads you; That is, you as an individual or as a body of believers. The Holy Spirit is the warning sound that is the warning signal, WHO alerts us that we are drifting toward danger. We as individuals or as a body of believers must wake up and confess our inattention and ask our LORD JESUS to help us to apply the proper correction and follow HIS leadership according to GOD’S Word.

So, how do we do that? Let’s read on ----

Let’s read Revelation 3:3:

³ So remember what you received and heard. Hold on to it and change your hearts and lives. If you don’t wake up, I will come like a thief, and you won’t know what time I will come upon you. 

When we get lost when we travel, what do we need to do? We need to pause and take inventory of where we are and where we are going. What are the signs surrounding us? Does what we see help us figure out where we are? A compass and map are helpful but it may be observing the side of the tree where moss grows or the shadow produced by the sun shining onto a tree or a stick you placed in the ground for you scouts. They help us to know which direction is north.

GOD’S Word reveals the Spiritual direction that Christians and the body of believers are to travel, with the Holy Spirit as their guide.

JESUS said, “So remember what you received and heard. Hold on to it and change your hearts and lives.” Christians and the true body are fully equipped where they are planted to function and grow when they are led by the Holy Spirit. Revisit the fundamentals of the basis of their or your faith. JESUS, The CHRIST, is the rock upon which we build our faith and body of believers. Truth is always truth and does not change. The question is our body trying to modernize and embrace what the world tells us versus what the Holy Spirit is telling us? Have we become complacent or are we drifting toward Spiritual trouble and ignoring the warning signs? Are we listening? Are we capable of hearing what the Spirit says?

JESUS reveals that HE is returning. Will we be found ready for HIS return? Will HE say, Well done good and faithful servant or depart from me because I never knew you?

Was the church in Sardis a complete loss? Let’s read on ----

Let’s read Revelation 3:4-6:

⁴ But you do have a few people in Sardis who haven’t stained their clothing. They will walk with me clothed in white because they are worthy. ⁵ Those who emerge victorious will wear white clothing like this. I won’t scratch out their names from the scroll of life, but will declare their names in the presence of my Father and his angels. ⁶ If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

My, my, we find that GOD has a reminant in the church in Sardis who knew the truth and were listening to what the Spirit was telling them. They had not stained their clothes with compromise. Their clothes were still white and they will walk with JESUS because they have proved to be worthy.

Remember, this is after the life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension of JESUS and JESUS sending the Holy Spirit to earth. Those who had placed their faith in JESUS had experienced the miracle of Spiritual Birth and received their new clothes which had been washed in the blood of the LAMB/JESUS. They had not become complacent. They still remained faithful to their calling and were a witness to those in Sardis.

We read in Revelation 7:13-14:

¹³ Then one of the elders said to me, “Who are these people wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”

¹⁴ I said to him, “Sir, you know.”

Then he said to me, “These people have come out of great hardship. They have washed their robes and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. 

This is the first promise JESUS makes to those who are faithful to the end. Then HE makes a second promise as we read “I won’t scratch out their names from the scroll of life, but will declare their names in the presence of my Father and his angels.” WOW!!!

Did you know that as a Spirit-born Christian your name is written in permanent ink in GOD’S “scroll of life?”

The “Book of Life” is first written in Exodus 32:32-33:

³² But now, please forgive their sin! And if not, then wipe me out of your scroll that you’ve written.”

³³ But the Lord said to Moses, “The ones I’ll wipe out of my scroll are those who sinned against me. 

Let’s go to the New Testament and read in Luke 10:17-20:

¹⁷ The seventy-two returned joyously, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit themselves to us in your name.”

¹⁸ Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. ¹⁹ Look, I have given you authority to crush snakes and scorpions underfoot. I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. ²⁰ Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven.”

Oh yes! When we, as Christians, do the work our LORD has called us to do and we see HIS power at work through us, that is something to shout about. We can get giddy. The Holy Spirit has to calm us down to help us know it is not our power but it is the power of JESUS working through us. That is such a joy of thanksgiving and time of praise.

Why? Because when we see the power of JESUS working through us, it confirms that we are in-step with our Savior and LORD JESUS.

Here, we have to be careful to remain under the direction and control of the Holy Spirit and not to start taking matters into our own hands. It will blow up in our face and we lose confidence in the ability of JESUS to show us what HE does. Why? It is because we are running on our own strength and determination.

How do I know that? It is because I have lived it. It is a tough lesson to learn but so, so necessary. Wait upon the LORD and HE will direct your paths.

The Apostle Paul refers to the “scroll of life” in Philippians 4:3:

³ Yes, and I’m also asking you, loyal friend, to help these women who have struggled together with me in the ministry of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the scroll of life.

There is a song that captures this same fact. There is a new name written down in glory and it is mine. Yes, when is your name written in the scroll of life? Is it when you were conceived in the mind of GOD as the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:4?

Consider Ephesians 1:4:

 ⁴ God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in God’s presence before the creation of the world.

We are all chosen by GOD but will we choose JESUS as our Savior?

Have you chosen JESUS as your Savior? That is step one. Have you made JESUS the LORD of your life? Step one secures your salvation. Step two gives you the opportunity to experience the joy and power of your salvation as you allow the Holy Spirit to reign supreme in your life.

If not, pray this prayer: FATHER, I accept JESUS as my Savior, believing that HE gave HIS sinless life upon the cross, by the shedding of HIS blood to pay, in full, for all of my sins, past, present and future. FATHER, I want JESUS also to be the LORD of my life.

If you prayed this prayer, then welcome Home my brother or sister in the name of JESUS! Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Church (4) - Strong in Purity - Revelation 2:18-29 - June 27, 2021

 Bible Study – Church (4) – Strong in Purity – June 27, 2021

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled, “The Church GOD Desires.”

Our focus scripture is Revelation 2:18-29.

Purity in all things impacts your service for CHRIST.

The fourth church is Thyatira. Again, JESUS instructed the Apostle John to write not what John wanted to write but what JESUS was telling him to write.

The church in Thyatira was the smallest and least remarkable of the seven churches but important to JESUS. It was located about 40 miles southeast of Pergamum and likely a military outpost to protect Pergamum. Today the city of Akhisar covers the ruins of Thyatira.

They served the sun god, Apollo, (the son of Zeus) along with many other gods. Their claim to fame was trade guilds. Thyatira had more trade guilds than any other city in Asia Minor. A guild was established for trade e.g., some worked with wool, others with linen, others worked with leather, tanning, bronze, dyed cloth, etc. Do you recall Lydia who was the seller of purple in Acts 16?

Religious life revolved around a certain guild. Each guild had a patron god and certain festivals associated with that god. Satan is always at work to entangle people in his web of lies. Work is a gift from GOD but when work becomes a god, it is the enemy of GOD. In that day when a person joined a guild, he or she had to declare allegiance to a certain god or else, you were on your on to earn a living.

Is this true today? Can a person’s work or hobby become a false religion? During those and these times, Christians face a dilemma – they needed or need to work but to learn and work in established trades. Those in Thyatira needed to join a trade guild. That meant worshipping a false god or acting like they were worshipping that god.

Compromise is an effective tool Satan uses to weaponize a Christian’s witness.  Even though the guilds had a hold on work, what was the message JESUS had for the church in Thyatira?     

In this message, JESUS commended the church in Thyatira for:

Demonstrating love, faith, service and endurance. Their works had grown even among difficult circumstances.

JESUS rebuked Thyatira for:

Tolerance of the false prophetess who misled some to eat food sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.

Sound familiar?

What are the Churches doing today that do not measure up to GOD’S Word? Are we calling good what GOD is calling an abomination?

What is GOD revealing to those HE has entrusted with HIS message? Are those who are lost in sin and deceived by Satan leading others into a lifestyle of sin? Test those to whom you listen to by the truth GOD’S Word reveals. Satan is deceiving people today but Christians remain focused on the power of JESUS. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Revelation 2:18-19:

¹⁸ “Write this to the angel of the church in Thyatira:

These are the words of God’s only Son, JESUS, whose eyes are like a fiery flame, and whose feet are like fine brass. ¹⁹ I know your works, your love and faithfulness, your service and endurance. I also know that the works you have done most recently are even greater than those you did at first. 

These words are from JESUS who was physically born in the flesh, lived upon earth as a human, gave HIS human life to pay in full for the original sin of mankind. But the Good News is that GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead to be eternally alive. HIS resurrection was to reveal, to all, that JESUS conquered physical death and is the first fruit to prove that HE also conquered eternal death. Every person has the choice to either accept or reject this fact, through faith in JESUS.

The Apostle John identified JESUS, “whose eyes are like a fiery flame, and whose feet are like fine brass.” A “fiery flame” penetrates and cuts to the core. A fiery flame comes from a source with a purpose. It not only penetrates and exposes but it purifies as it cuts to achieve its intended purpose, as directed by JESUS.

From JESUS’ position, as the SAVIOR of the world, HE is the firm foundation upon which all can trust in, as given by “whose feet are like fine brass.” Those in a guild could relate to the strong, firm foundation of feet like fine brass.

JESUS said, “I know.” What did JESUS know? HE knew:

-         your works, your love and faithfulness, your service and endurance.

-         I also know that the works you have done most recently are even greater than those you did at first. 

JESUS was up to date on what was going on in the church in Thyatira. HE knew that their faithful service to HIM had grown.

Does JESUS know what is going on in our church or the church you attend? YES! Without a doubt!

Is our church growing Spiritually? Are we working as led by the Holy Spirit? Are the works we are doing greater than what we did in the early days? Are we doing the works as led by the Holy Spirit or the works we do in our own strength?

What tactics does Satan use today to lead our churches to compromise sound doctrine? Is our church doctrine sound and according to what GOD’S Word reveals? A compromise with the world is playing into the hands of Satan.

Love is the building block and the glue that holds things together. John 3:16-17 captures this love for all people. Love motivates us as Christians to be faithful. Love results in faithfulness. When we are in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS, we see truth in action. Truth builds upon itself. Truth leads to service and service leads to endurance. Why? It is because we witness the power of GOD being manifested as we move forward when we face the issues of life.

Life is building and seeing trust in GOD through faith in JESUS being manifested by planting our faith, the size of a mustard seed, into the fertile ground located in GOD’S vineyard where we work.

But not all was well in the church located in Thyatira. Let’s read on ----

Let’s read Revelation 2:20-23:

²⁰ But I have this against you: you put up with that woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. You allow her to teach and to mislead my servants into committing sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. ²¹ I gave her time to change her heart and life, but she refuses to change her life of prostitution. ²² Look! I’m throwing her onto a sickbed. I am casting those who have committed adultery with her into terrible hardship—if they don’t change their hearts from following her practices— ²³ and I will even put her children to death with disease. Then all the churches will know that I’m the one who examines minds and hearts, and that I will give to each of you what your actions deserve. 

JESUS had a major issue with the church. They had allowed a woman, who was either named Jezebel or JESUS labeled her as Jezebel, who called herself “a prophet.” She was self-appointed. She had no qualifications to be a prophet but they, the Christians, allowed her to teach and mislead Christians into committing sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. Was the church leadership asleep or were they enjoying what this false prophet was telling them.

What is the leadership of our churches allowing to be preached and practiced today in our Christian churches?

JESUS said HE gave her time to wake up and change her life of prostitution or for church leadership to wake up and take charge.

Is our church leadership responding to what the Holy Spirit reveals to them? JESUS gives time for us to change but if not, HE takes charge.

When enough is enough, JESUS takes action:

²² Look! I’m throwing her onto a sickbed. I am casting those who have committed adultery with her into terrible hardship—if they don’t change their hearts from following her practices— ²³ and I will even put her children to death with disease. Then all the churches will know that I’m the one who examines minds and hearts, and that I will give to each of you what your actions deserve. 

JESUS reveals to all churches that represent HIM to Look! Pay attention to your message and to those you allow to preach using your platform. 

JESUS takes action when enough is enough e.g., sickness, terrible hardship, children dying from disease, there will by payday one day.  

Let’s read Revelation 2:24-29:

²⁴ As for the rest of you in Thyatira—those of you who don’t follow this teaching and haven’t learned the so-called “deep secrets” of Satan—I won’t burden you with anything else. ²⁵ Just hold on to what you have until I come. ²⁶ To those who emerge victorious, keeping my practices until the end, I will give authority over the nations— ²⁷ to rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like pottery— ²⁸ just as I received authority from my Father. I will also give them the morning star. ²⁹ If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Apparently, this false prophetess who called herself Jezebel had a following in Thyatira. The Old Testament, Jezebel, was the daughter of King Ethobaal of Tyre/Sidon and the wife of Ahab, King of Israel. Apparently, this false prophetess of the New Testament taught that aligning with Satan allowed a person to probe the “so-called deep secrets of Satan.”

Curiosity and the desire for knowledge leads many people into sin. It all began in the Garden of Eden when Satan tempted Eve to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Satan often gives a false impression of success when a person embraces his false leadership. Were the craft guilds a cult? Did some attribute their success to following the teachings of this false prophetess? Satan disguises himself in the things that offer pleasure and success.

When Christian institutions allow false teachings in their body, it gives credibility to the false teachings. Spirit-born Christians, do you know the truth? If so, then you must take a Biblical stand against false teachings. It is not popular when you do but it is the right thing to do under the leadership of the indwelling Holy Spirit. 

Let’s consider verses 25-29:

What does JESUS reveal to Spirit-born Christians when they see abominations taking place in their church body - ²⁵ Just hold on to what you have until I come. 

Hold on to the truth you know as revealed by the Holy Spirit and GOD’S Word. Know that JESUS is in control. HE is still on HIS Throne and very much in charge of the world. Do not get discouraged but embrace the truth. In the words of Dr, Vance Hefner, practice in the dark what you learn in the light. When you, as a Spirit-born Christian, remain faithful JESUS reveals to them in verse 26:

²⁶ To those who emerge victorious, keeping my practices until the end, I will give authority over the nations— ²⁷ to rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like pottery— ²⁸ just as I received authority from my Father. I will also give them the morning star. 

Victory is in walking the talk even in bad times. JESUS will give those who remain faithful the precious assurance that JESUS is victorious over all, just as the morning star emerges from the night sky, it is a sign that a new day is dawning. Who confirms this? What does verse 29 reveal?

²⁹ If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

It is the Holy Spirit WHO reveals truth and sustains all Spirit-born Christians for each generation until HE returns. This is an ongoing promise to each generation who remains faithful to JESUS. Do you want your family line to make it until JESUS establishes HIS rule upon earth? Then remain faithful to GOD’S Word as confirmed by JESUS. The future of our future generations depends upon it. Spirit-born Christians are in a spiritual battle today. Will those who know the truth remain faithful? Seek the power and wisdom that comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit. Remain true to GOD’S Word and not to public opinion. Blessings!!!

JESUS said, “I know.” What did JESUS know? HE knew:

-        your works, your love and faithfulness, your service and endurance.

-        I also know that the works you have done most recently are even greater than those you did at first. 

 

When enough is enough, JESUS takes action:

²² Look! I’m throwing her onto a sickbed. I am casting those who have committed adultery with her into terrible hardship—if they don’t change their hearts from following her practices— ²³ and I will even put her children to death with disease. Then all the churches will know that I’m the one who examines minds and hearts, and that I will give to each of you what your actions deserve. 

 

 

Bible Study - Church (3) - Uncompromising with Truth - Revelation 2:12-17 - June 20, 021

Bible Study – Church (3) – Uncompromising with Truth – June 20, 2021

This is lesson three in our series entitled, “The Church GOD Desires.”

Our focus scripture is Revelation 2:12-17.

When it comes to truth in CHRIST, there is no room for compromise.

The third church our LORD JESUS is dictating to the Apostle John to write about is Pergamum. Pergamum was located about 70 miles north of Smyrna. It was about 15 miles inland from the Aegean Sea and ideally located for trade but most especially located for military purposes.

There was a huge military citadel overlooking the city and because of its military position, Pergamum had achieved fame about 200 years before this writing. The military in Pergamum had sided with Rome which was a wise decision to establish Pergamum as a strategic military presence in that area.

Having a large number of soldiers, Pergamum required supplies, thus even though 15 miles inland, it drew the merchants of that day to them. Military posts need supplies. People from various backgrounds and cultures coming to the military post resulted in Pergamum becoming a cultural center.

Seated on top of the Acropolis in Pergamum was an altar to Zeus which was 120 feet by 112 feet. On top of the altar was a 40-foot stature of Zeus. The city had various temples dedicated to Athena, Dionysus and Asclepius. The temple of Asclepius was devoted to healing and as such it developed into a major medical center of that day. The image for this god was two snakes entwined around a staff. Sound familiar? It is the modern symbol of medical care today.

Parchment was first developed in Pergamum. They became an educational center that boasted of having a library of 200,000 books. Its other claim to fame was it was the first city to build a temple to a living emperor, Augustus. Emperor worship was greatly valued in Pergamum, however, like we learned in our study of Smyrna, the large Jewish population could refrain from emperor worship but the Christians could not. Isolating a people group leads to trouble.

When looking back at the history of these two cities, Smyrna and Pergamum, we can learn from them. When there is a void, humans will fill that void with things that appeal to the masses. There is nothing wrong with culture but when it becomes worship it can morph into something more than culture. It can become a religion. Christianity is not a religion, it is faith in JESUS, The True and only SON of GOD.

It is the old frog in the water story. Place a frog in a pot of cold water and gradually turn up the heat on pot of cold water and the frog remains in the pot until it is cooked. But place a frog in a pot of hot water and it will jump out.

Fellow Christians, we must be mindful of the culture surrounding us and especially the governments, e.g., city, state and national, that shape us by the laws they pass and enforce. So fellow Christians get active in all the things that can control your lives e.g., governments, and Christian bodies that shape our belief system. JESUS is LORD because HE gave HIS sinless life for all who place their faith in HIM to be Spiritually born into HIS Family and live eternally as HIS Son or Daughter. GOD’S Word is the base for these solid fundamentals.

So, what did JESUS reveal about Pergamum:

JESUS commended the church at Pergamum for remaining faithful to CHRIST and HIS name even under the threat of death.

What did JESUS rebuke them for?

HE rebuked them for:

-         Holding to false teachings

-         Eating food sacrificed to idols

-         Participating in sexual immorality

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Revelation 2:12-13:

¹² “Write this to the angel of the church in Pergamum:

These are the words of the one who has the sharp, two-edged sword: ¹³ I know that you are living right where Satan’s throne is. You are holding on to my name, and you didn’t break faith with me even at the time that Antipas, my faithful witness, was killed among you, where Satan lives. 

Write is a direct command to John to write what JESUS was dictating to him. As we discussed earlier, angel, is messenger and was likely meaning the pastor of Pergamum or it could refer to an angel responsible for Pergamum. JESUS made it clear that HE walked among the seven churches and was well aware of what had taken place in these seven churches.  

These are the words of The One who has the sharp, two-edged sword. In Revelation 1:16:
He held seven stars in his right hand, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. His appearance was like the sun shining with all its power.

And in Hebrews 4:12:

¹² because God’s word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates to the point that it separates the soul from the spirit and the joints from the marrow. It’s able to judge the heart’s thoughts and intentions.

GOD’S Word, whether spoken or read, penetrates to the very core of our being where truth is discerned and reveals the action a person needs to act upon. The Holy Spirit delivers GOD’S message to each person. It is the message of a person’s need for salvation, conviction for sin, and for those who have received salvation through the miracle of Spiritual Birth, the message for correction or action our LORD desires for HIS Son or Daughter to take.

The words of JESUS were being delivered straight to John’s heart. What was JESUS’ message to the Christians living in Pergamum - I know that you are living right where Satan’s throne is. You are holding on to my name, and you didn’t break faith with me even at the time that Antipas, my faithful witness, was killed among you, where Satan lives. 

JESUS knew that they were living where Satan’s throne was. We can only speculate. But there are clues such as the various temples to false gods, the military’s alliance with Rome, cultural centers, embracing the imperial cult, which led to emperor worship. Satan was using these forces to attempt to defeat and control the Christians. The Jews did not have to worship the emperor but the Christians did. Satan does not want the masses to know that true salvation comes by a person placing his or her faith in JESUS and being eternally born into GOD’S Family through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

JESUS acknowledged that the Christians in Pergamum did not succumb to this evil authority when, Antipas, a faithful Christian witness, was martyred for JESUS. His death was due to where he lived because Satan had control of that area.

Does Satan live where we live? When Christians and the churches they attend are not reaching out to the community and running for Government offices, it gives opportunity for Satan’s people to move in and mold our communities as they desire.

Let’s read Revelation 2:14-15:

¹⁴ But I have a few things against you, because you have some there who follow Balaam’s teaching. Balaam had taught Balak to trip up the Israelites so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. ¹⁵ In the same way, you have some who follow the Nicolaitans’ teaching.

When Christians and their churches start mixing heathen teaching with truth it compromises the message and power of the church in that community.

Balaam was a prophet who prophesied at the time of Exodus. As GOD’S people were leaving their forty-year wandering in the wilderness, the people of Moab were concerned about the size the Israelite population had grown to and were about to enter their area. So, the king of Moab, Balak, did not want to go to war with such a large group of people. The king had a plan to enlist the help of the prophet Balaam.

Balaam was not an Israelite Prophet. Balaam agreed to put a curse on the Israelites. This account is found in Numbers 22-24 but when he sought the only power, he knew who had the power, GOD, HIS response from GOD was:

Numbers 22:4 - ¹² God said to Balaam, “Don’t go with them. Don’t curse the people, because they are blessed.” 

Oh, my, the Israelites were GOD’S people and as such they were blessed by GOD and off limits to be cursed. And guess what, all Spirit-born Christians are blessed by GOD and under HIS canopy of protection, as long as they remain under HIS canopy, they have HIS protection.

But GOD knew the hearts of the Israelites and often allows HIS Children to be exposed to the issue’s life brings to them to test them. Yet, with a promise found in 1 Corinthians 10:13 -
No temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people. But God is faithful. He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it.

GOD provides the escape but each Christian must take the escape.

So, Balaam’s plan as written in Revelation 2:14-15 was: “Balaam had taught Balak to trip up the Israelites so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. ¹⁵ In the same way, you have some who follow the Nicolaitans’ teaching.”

Satan is always at work to get GOD’S people to “trip up” by embracing the things that are contrary to GOD’S truth. Fellow Christians, we are being tempted to compromise what GOD calls sin, not to be sin. It is true, Christians are to love the sinner but hate the sin. So, how do we do that? Always teach and preach the truth from GOD’S Word, The Bible.

The Bible reveals what HE considers an abomination. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of sin. Can that happen to America? You bet! What is preventing our destruction? Is it a few righteous people? But are the few being compromised?

Notice, in our next scripture, GOD gives opportunity for change.

Let’s read Revelation 2:16-17:

¹⁶ So change your hearts and lives. If you don’t, I am coming to you soon, and I will make war on them with the sword that comes from my mouth. ¹⁷ If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. I will give those who emerge victorious some of the hidden manna to eat. I will also give to each of them a white stone with a new name written on it, which no one knows except the one who receives it.

JESUS makes it clear what the consequence will be, unless you “change your hearts and lives --- I am coming to you soon, and I will make war on them with the sword that comes from MY mouth.”

What was the first thing those who were under the canopy of the church in Pergamum were to do? REPENT!!! WHO is the only ONE that can change a person’s heart? The Holy Spirit!

Again, we read, if you are listening to the Holy Spirit, “I will give those who emerge victorious some of the hidden manna to eat. I will also give to each of them a white stone with a new name written on it, which no one knows except the one who receives it.”

Those who listen and apply what The Holy Spirit is saying will be victorious and will receive three gifts (1) Hidden manna, which GOD sent down from Heaven to physically sustain the Israelites. Moses placed a small jar of manna in the Ark of the Covenant to commemorate God’s faithful provision to His people. Centuries later, according to tradition, the prophet Jeremiah hid the Ark in a cave when Jerusalem was invaded by Nebuchadnezzar’s army. JESUS referred to the hidden manna. Is this the manna the Prophet Jeremiah took when Jerusalem fell and hid it with the desire that they would eat it again when the promised Messiah came? This is according to Jewish apocalyptic literature which anticipated a Messianic Age where the Messiah would restore the kingdom of GOD and offer the hidden manna. Notice this is according to tradition. Tradition can often lead you into false conclusions.

The Holy Spirit reveals Spiritual truth that is personal and feeds the Spirit-born Christian heart with things that come from the mind and heart of GOD. To me that is hidden manna that comes from GOD. It is the living nourishment and water that quenches, satisfies and sustains those who listen, trusts, apply and are satisfied by what The Holy Spirit reveals. One day the Spirit-born Christians will know the truth.

(2) The one who conquers, will receive a white stone from JESUS. The identity or purpose of the white stone is not known. We can speculate such that white represents purity and a stone or rock represents something that is solid and lasting. Is that a reference to the solid rock of JESUS and the foundation upon which the true church has been built with JESUS being the cornerstone?

(3) The white stone has a new name inscribed on it. No one knows this name except the person who receives it. WOW! That is exciting!

Some Bible scholars think this stone may be used to gain entrance or an invitation to the marriage banquet. Or some speculate that true believers will be given a new name at the return of the Messiah. No one knows this secret name except the recipient.

Most of us love a mystery and those Spirit-born Christians will be in on an eternal mystery.

If you have not asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart, please do it now. Eternity is only one heartbeat away. Much awaits those who desire to be Spiritually born into GOD’S Family through faith in JESUS. Do not hesitate. When you accept JESUS as your Savior, tell a fellow Christian and if you are not already in a Bible teaching group, then ask JESUS to lead you to a Bible teaching, believing and application group. You are now grafted into the true vine of JESUS and it is from JESUS, via the Holy Spirit, that you are nourished by the living water (The Holy Spirit) and nutrients which comes from studying GOD’S Word, the Bible and applying what the Holy Spirit reveals to you.

America, pay attention to what had taken place in these ancient times. They targeted Christians as the people group that was of concern to the masses, including the government because of their allegiance to JESUS.

Blessings!!!