The Compromising Church

The Church at Pergamum

Revelation 2:12-17

Review

• Christ is concerned about His churches– He is giving 7 letters to tell what He sees

• Ephesus – Loyal, but Lacking Love

• Smyrna – Poor, but Rich

• Now we look at the 3rd church, Pergamum

57 miles from Smyrna

Pergamum, the cityThe ruins of the library at Pergamum

The 2nd largest library in the Roman Empire

Housed more than 200,000 books and scrolls

Pergamum, the city

The Aesclepium

The Healing Center

Marble altar showing snake worship symbols

Pergamum, the cityTemple of Serapis, Egyptian healing god

Temple of Athena, goddess of wisdom

Temple of Zeus

Temple of Hera

Pergamum, the cityTemple to the Emperor

3x named Temple Warder of the Imperial Cult

Pergamum Council given “right of the sword” (the right to sentence to death)

Pergamum, the church

• Rev 2:12

• The one with the sharp two-edged sword– Christ has the real power of life and death

Pergamum, the church

• Rev 2:13, the positive points

• Satan’s throne could be . . .– Center for enforcement of emperor worship– The Aesclepium– All the many temples

• Antipas, a martyr, faithful– Killed where Satan dwells– Probably indicates the center for enforcement

of emperor worship

Pergamum, the church

• Rev 2:14-15

• The teaching of Balaam (Num 22-24, 31:16)– A doctrine of compromise– Balaam couldn’t curse Israel directly

• So he got them to compromise (idolatry and fornication) so God would curse them

– Some in the church were also compromising• Perhaps in idolatry and fornication (like Balaam)• Perhaps in other ways

– With the Temple Warders– With the Aesclepium

Pergamum, the church

• Rev 2:16, the challenge– Repent or else– God does not accept compromises– Christ will use His “right of the sword” against

them– His sword is the word of God (Eph 6:17)

Pergamum, the church

• Rev 2:17, the reward for overcoming– Hidden manna – spiritual sustenance– White stone (2 possibilities)

• A vote of acquittal in Roman courts• A mark of freedom for a former slave

– A new name written on the stone• When a slave was freed, he was given a new name• The name would include that of the master who freed him

Lessons for today

• God accepts no compromises with sin– If healthcare, jobs, family, freedom, or even

life are threatened, better to lose them

• If we have compromised, we must repent

• To be free, we must give up all the things of the world

Conclusion

• Are we ready to follow God no matter the consequences?

• Do we stand against those who would seek compromise with the world?

• Are we willing to repent for past compromises?

• If not, are you ready to face Christ and fight against Him?