What Can We Learn From Pergamum? (Revelation 2:12-17)
GIST: Stand firm and don’t compromise as you find provision and purpose in Jesus!
Today, we’re coming to the third of seven letters from Jesus to the churches in ancient Asia Minor. As we’ve been discussing, these letters are meant to also edify the entire Church. Instead of giving you historical background before diving in this week, let’s just read the text as it stands. I’ll then sprinkle the history that might be helpful as we come to it in our discussion.
“12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of Him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 "'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast My name, and you did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas My faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'”
Unlike Smyrna, what Jesus had to say about Pergamum was not all good. We can see hints that this is coming even in the “address line”: “12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of Him who has the sharp two-edged sword.” He’s coming to them as the one with a double-edged sword because that sword will both defend and rebuke. They had some very important things going right, but they were also missing the mark in a big way.
What I’d like to do today, in true “Revelation-style'', is break this passage down into seven quick observations. These will serve as both our “points” and “takeaways”, so don’t start worrying about length ☺️. In fact, since we had our shoebox dedication this morning, the plan (which I know might not always mean too much) is to keep this a bit shorter. However, I’m still going to give you a quick gist in case I lose you. This will function as a condensed version of these seven observations: Stand firm and don’t compromise as you find provision and purpose in Jesus!
1. Remember, He knows how hard it is.
13 I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is.
Last week, I told you what stuck out most to me was the phrase “I know”. I also told you this phrase is repeated at the beginning of every letter. Last week, we were comforted by remembering He sees our struggles. Similarly, this week, He reminds us He understands our circumstances. He gets that it’s not easy.
That is especially true of Pergamum. Like the previous cities, it was also a cultural center. This one was known for its sciences, and boasted a 200,000 volume library, second only to the Library of Alexandria (John MacArthur). However, also like the other cities, it was the seat of much pagan worship. Jesus calls it 'where Satan's throne is'. There has been much speculation about what exactly this refers to, but it doesn’t have to be referring to any one thing in particular. Yes, there was a massive idol to Zeus on his throne. Yes, there were thrones to Ascelpius, the healer, whose symbol was the snake and whose healing practices sometimes involved letting snakes crawl all over your body to 'infuse you with their power' (which is creepy!). Yes, several other false gods had temples in Pergamum (like Athena who represented worldly wisdom and Dionysus who represented drunkenness). Yes, there was a massive altar for Caesar worship built to worship him while he was still alive (possibly even the first of its kind). So, again, it doesn't need to be one specific area of sin which marked this town as Satan's Throne; it was prevailing. And that’s the idea here. Sin was rampant.
We don’t live in Pergamum, but our world is getting progressively more hostile to Christianity. Guys, please never forget— He knows this.
2. Stand for His name and salvation anyway.
Yet you hold fast My name, and you did not deny My faith
This church, though surrounded by sin, held fast to Jesus and did not deny His faith. They claimed to be His and spoke of His salvation in a place where those claims weren’t welcome. This is no small deed. These Christians were surrounded by lies but had not yet rejected the truth, at least not fully (we’ll come back to that ☺️).
Guys, we need to be like this. No matter the pressure or persecution, we must stand firm on the truth of Jesus. In fact, learning positively from Pergamum, we should→
3. Stand firm even if it means facing martyrdom.
...even in the days of Antipas My faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
The only thing we know about Antipas is this one, great truth: he was a faithful witness to Christ even unto death. The church in Pergamum saw this. Many have speculated that this kind of persecution might not have been as common here as it was in Smyrna, but even if this was the only martyr they knew, they still witnessed someone dying for Jesus. What if that happened here? What if one of our members was killed for being a Christian? How many of you would come back next Sunday? We struggle coming to church now when our greatest obstacles are the weather being too cold or our beds being too comfortable.
I won’t take this any further. It convicted me. Please, take time to let the seriousness of this sink in. Jesus knows it’s not easy. It wasn’t easy for Him either, so stand firm for Him anyway→
4. And don’t compromise.
14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
What was going on in Pergamum that this message gets paired with the previous “good job standing firm”? There are two references here. One is to the Old Testament account of Balaam. You can read his story around Numbers 22-31. Basically, he was a pagan prophet who was called on to curse Israel, but God speaks to him causing him to bless them instead. Then, after not cursing Israel and having a famous little chat with his donkey, he ends up leading the Israelites astray anyway (Numbers 31:15). The reference in Numbers is small, but it seems to have entailed convincing them to sleep with women from the pagan tribes. They were called to reject sin all together, but they made this little compromise. It didn’t go well.
The second reference is to the Nicolaitans who were addressed in the letter to Ephesus, as well, and of whom we still know little. However, it at least seems likely these groups were promoting one in the same sin. What are they doing? They are teaching compromise. Urging the people to live like the world around them and engage in sexual immorality. Why? This is the throne of Satan. This city is surrounded by sin. It is easier to compromise than to confront—especially when you're outnumbered. Notice, however, the whole church isn't following these teachings. It is just some of the congregation, but the rest know about it and are just letting it happen. Never forget, the more you turn a blind eye to sin, the more likely you are to start embracing it yourself.
Oh, please hear this warning. This church is still claiming the truths of Jesus. This church has not stopped believing. Yet, this church is compromising with the sinful world around it and allowing the wrong that is happening outside seep in. Let’s pause there for a second. Where are we compromising? How are we spending your time? What are we "ok" with that we know Jesus is not? I know I get on my high horse a lot about us not putting junk into our hearts, but it burdens me. We live in a world with so much entertainment, and we love being entertained, but at what costs? Guys, if you’re watching junk on your TVs, please stop. I know it’s often considered legalistic to come down too hard on these compromises, but I will just say this: if we’re watching people having sex, or using language that dishonors God, or glorifying lifestyles He tells us are sinful— how can we justify that? What message are we sending to the world about His truth? What message are we sending to our kids? We’re telling them His truth doesn’t matter.
It is so tempting to compromise, but we can’t→
5. Because, if we don’t repent, we’re fighting against Him.
16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of My mouth.
Because they were compromising, they were inviting Jesus to come to war against them! Jesus died to bring us peace. We were haters of God, but if we have given Him our lives, we're new. We’re His children now. So, wait, can we be at peace and war simultaneously? No, and that's the point.
6. So, come to Him & experience His provision.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna…
Manna is what God used to feed His people in the wilderness. It came down from Heaven and took care of their daily needs. So what’s the promise here? We compromise because it’s easier, and we compromise because it gets us what we think we need. Jesus is telling us right now to stand firm and trust Him for provision this world can never offer. His miraculous grace is far better than trying to make a bargain with sin.
7. And come to Him to find your true identity.
and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'
Of course, there is ample speculation about what this white stone and new name represents. There were traditions of white stones representing victory. They were also used to pronounce verdicts of innocence. Either way, I think the picture here is something absolutely wonderful. This church had gotten all wrapped up in trying to find their identity in the world. We know for sure there were some who were even actively participating in sexual immorality. If you’ve been there, you know that leaves you feeling defiled and broken. In fact, all sin does that. Yet, what does Jesus do? He rescues you and gives you a new name, a new identity, a new purpose. He shows you who you really are in Him and wipes the slate clean. Amen!
Let’s just recap in our→
TAKEAWAYS
Remember, He knows how hard it is.
Stand for His name and salvation anyway.
Stand firm even if it means facing martyrdom.
And don’t compromise.
Because, if we don’t repent, we’re fighting against Him.
So, come to Him & experience His provision.
And come to Him to find your true identity.
