httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6Q3uzj2efc

12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.”

Angel – messenger – spiritual leader or pastor

Church in Pergamum – no mention of Paul starting a church there but it was most likely a daughter church of Ephesus

Pergamum – the capital and political center of Asia Minor. Located about 15 miles inland from the Aegean Sea and north of Ephesus and Smyrna. The word Pergamum means “wedding.” It was beautiful in architecture. In addition to being an emperor seat it was known for its library which housed over 200,000 handwritten volumes. Parchment was said to have been invented in this city. The city contained a very literate population. Another facet for which the city was well known was its healing facility, the Asklepios Center. The sick would come for healing to this facility but they would not admit anyone terminally ill because that would tarnish their reputation. This temple of sorts contained many non-venomous snakes which would slither uncontained throughout the facility. The sick would spend the night in the temple lying on the floor. It was believed that if a snake touched you or crawled on you that you would be healed. It was also believed that your dreams while the facility would be an answer to your healing. It was bathed in cultic, superstitious beliefs.

These are the words of him – these are Christ’s words, not John’s

Who has the sharp double-edged sword – this references back to Hebrew 4:12 where we are told that the Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting down to the marrow. This is not a dull knife we are talking about but rather a sharp sword or saber that a Roman soldier would have carried. It would cut quickly, cleanly, and deeply. Jesus’ words cut right to the point. He is precise in his words. He will cut open the church and clean out the junk He finds. It is like a cancer surgery. Note that this is the first negative introduction of Christ to the churches. To Ephesus He described Himself as the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the lampstands; to Smyrna He described himself as the first and last who was dead and come back to life. But to Pergamum He says He has the sharp double-edged sword. He had some business to take care of with this church.

13 “I know where you live – where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city – where Satan lives.”

I know where you live – to the believer in fellowship with Christ, these are comforting words. He knows where we are, where we dwell, where we live. He does not get lost or need directions or a GPS. For the lost or those who are out from under His fellowship these can be frightening words. You cannot hide from him. He knows exactly where you are and what you are living in (sin).

Where Satan has his throne – Satan roams as a roaring lion but he is not omnipresent. At this time in history is seemed that maybe this was home-base for Satan. We know that it was the center of emperor worship and at least four main gods were worshipped from there: Athena, Asklepios, Dionysus, and Zeus (which was the king of gods). On the top of the highest peak which was a cone shaped mountain was the Altar of Zeus. It was a structure that had two columned wings on either side with a portico in the middle. To reach the platform where the altar was located, you climbed wide, steep set of stairs. Once you reached the top platform there was a hollow bronze bull where the sacrifices to Zeus were made. The victim was placed inside the bull with his head toward the bull’s head. A set of pipes similar to organ pipes ran from that area to the bull’s mouth. As the person being sacrificed began to roast they would cry out and moan. This cry from inside the bull gave it an illusion of being alive. It was on this altar that Antipas was martyred for his stand for Christ.

Yet you remain true to my name – The Christians in Pergamum were being persecuted like those in Smyrna. The Lord commends them on remaining true to His name. Persecution will reveal your true colors. In the midst of persecution and trials you will either praise God or curse Him. These had praised Him. Antipas was one such believer that remained true to the point of death. Notice that Jesus calls him “my faithful witness”, what a commendation from the Lord. Antipas refused to worship the emperor or to call him ‘lord’ and as such paid the ultimate price but you can be assured the Lord gave him the ultimate reward.

In your city – where Satan lives – can you imagine such a place? It was not a dark, gloomy, shadowy city. It was not something you see in a Halloween picture. It was the opposite. It was a busy, active, center for learning and fine arts, cultural, religious, thriving city. And yet Jesus said it is ‘where Satan lives.’ There is nothing wrong with fine arts, knowledge, or a growing city. The problem was that they were required to worship the emperor and they were steeped in worshipping other false gods. Remember the snakes at the Asklepios? The people were looking to serpents to heal them instead of God. Anytime you seek a snake instead of the Lord Jesus Himself, you are going the wrong way.

14 “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.”

Nevertheless – here it comes, the rebuke

I have a few things against you – I don’t want to hear those words coming to me from Jesus. These are words that make you stand up and take notice.

There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam – notice He said ‘some’ and ‘hold’. The church for the most part seemed ok but there were some in the church that were teaching a false doctrine. They were holding on to it which means they were actively participating.

Who taught Balak to entice Israelites to sin – anyone who teaches another to sin is teaching another doctrine – an evil doctrine. Jesus gave His life to buy us back because of sin. NEVER, EVER excuse sin!

So that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality – they teach what they want to do themselves. No one wants to sin alone, they want company. Remember Eve gave the fruit to Adam.

15 “Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.”

You also have those who hold – that same word hold again

To the teaching of the Nicolaitans – we discussed that group in the church of Ephesus. The Nicolaitans loved to lord over their subjects. They were big on being the boss. Satan had not come at this church as a roaring lion but rather as a slithering snake, the deceiving serpent that he is.

16 “Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”

Repent – turn around. Jesus is saying this to His church

Otherwise, I will soon come to you – He will visit His erring church. His name is at stake. He will not put up with a compromising church. A church that seeks the world’s approval is a church that has its devotion pointed in the wrong direction. We must seek Christ’s approval and His alone. We cannot be a worldly church. He commands us to be holy and sanctified.

And will fight against them with the sword of my mouth – Jesus gets personally involved with those who are false teachers. He will personally fight against them. It is a dangerous thing to depart from the scripture He gave us. It is useful for teaching and rebuking.

17 “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.”

 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches – listen to Him. Pay attention to what He is telling these churches for they are words to us also.

To the one who is victorious I will give some of the hidden manna – we are victorious in Christ and He is the hidden manna. The Israelites ate the food God sent them in the wilderness every day. A jar of manna was placed in the ark of the covenant. It represents our life, our food is Christ, the Bread of Life.

I will also give that person a white stone – a white stone was cast if a person was acquitted of a crime. It also represents ‘yes’ and in Christ we are a ‘yes’ to eternal life. It also represented a pass or ticket. The white stone is given us as a ticket into heaven. The white stone also was represented to be a diamond, a precious stone that is clear.

With a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it – not new as in age but new as in quality. We will called by a new name – Christ’s name and it is a personal calling. I answered to my call and you answer to yours. It is known only to the one called.