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!!!