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Psalms 91:1-16 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most
High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD,
"He is my refuge and my
fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from
the snare of the fowler And
from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under
His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the
terror by night, Nor of the
arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A
thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only
with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. Because you
have made the LORD, who is my
refuge, Even the Most High,
your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near
your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all
your ways. In their hands they
shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread
upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample
underfoot. "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver
him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon
Me, and I will answer him; I will be
with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will
satisfy him, And show him My salvation."
Father
God I ask that you bless all that read these messages and to bless their loved
ones. Let your words change hearts. Bring others to your message via the
internet. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!
Revelation 2:12-17 NKJV
So far
we have studied two churches, Ephesus and Smyrna. Ephesus had lost their first
love and Smyrna was a poor church suffering persecutions. Please keep in mind
as you study these seven churches that it is possible when John wrote this book
some of these churches may have been on the right track, but what Jesus is
warning about is what was coming in the future. This week the church of
Pergamos is the study, and it definitely has some problems like killing one of
Jesus faithful servants within the church, a city of cults, idolatry, and also
believing and teaching false doctrine. The study of this church also touches on
some early church history and the lesson ends with a white stone with a name
written on it. So let’s get started.
12 "And to the angel
of the church in Pergamos write, 'These things says He who has the sharp
two-edged sword:
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; Pergamos
was about 65 miles north of Smyrna. The city of Pergamum was built on a hill
1,000 feet above the surrounding countryside, creating a natural fortress. It
was a sophisticated city, a center of Greek culture and education, with a
200,000-volume library. But it was also the center of four cults, and it
rivaled Ephesus in its worship of idols. The city's chief god was Asclepius,
whose symbol was a serpent and who was considered the god of healing. People
came to Pergamum from all over the world to seek healing from this god. (LASB)
Pergamos represents the state
church, the head of the church intertwined with the head of government. This
time period references a span of 300 to 500 A.D. As history unfolds the facts, Constantine
was in conflict with rivals for the imperial throne. He had a dream, in which a
Cross appeared in the sky with the words, “In this sign conquer.” Constantine
promptly followed the suggestion from the dream, united with the Church, converted
to Christianity, and immediately became an active member. With the defeat of Maxentius
it resulted in him being the emperor of the Roman Empire. He then declared
freedom of religion and gained great influence in the church. He and the head
of the church at that time, Roman Sylvester
I (Some history info refers to Sylvester I as a Pope or Bishop.) had a close relationship and their reigns were of
the same time frame. Due
to doctrinal controversies prevailing in the Church, Constantine convened the
first conference at Nicea, Bithynia, to settle the issues involved, which dealt
chiefly with the nature of the Person of Christ. Constantine is also referred
to by some history info as being declared a saint based on mans standards.
With all that was
happening in this time frame one has to ask themselves, was God’s hand in all
that was going on, which it was, but were the leaders (religion and government)
being led by the Holy Spirit like the Apostles, or their human carnality?
These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword; The sharp two-edged sword that comes
from Jesus mouth is the Word of God that separates spirit and soul. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Ecclesiates_12:11; Isaiah_49:2
13 "I know your works,
and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even
in the days in which Antipas was
My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
I know your works, and where you dwell; Jesus states he knows where they
dwell, meaning their works and what the works pertain to, works of the flesh or
works of the Gospel, He knows all things we can’t hide anything from Him. He
even knows our deepest secrets which will be all brought out in front of
everyone at some point in time, unless we are washed by His shed blood. He also
knows where each of us dwells spiritually.
Where Satan's throne is; There were some in this church that
were clinging to the Cross and remaining faithful, but within this church were
those of Satan. Satan had taken up residence within this church and was causing
division within the congregation. Satan loves to do this because it causes
havoc within the church. Bickering and conflicts arise which results in the
church body having to deal with these things instead of what they are suppose
to be doing. This causes the people to take their eyes off of Jesus and focus
on the conflict. Unless one is saved they live for Satan based on God’s Word. John_8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the
desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning,
and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources,
for he is a liar and the father of it.
This same thing happens to
us also as individuals. Satan or our flesh will plant an idea in our head and
then we begin questioning its validity. It could be something that would cause
us to start doing research and the more research we do the more confused we
become. It could last for a minute or two, days, or weeks. Depending on our
knowledge of Scripture the time frame varies, but Scripture will tell you where
the thought came from and its validity. During this time of research, if the
timeframe is lengthy, other thoughts will enter one’s mind, and before you know
it you start questioning multiple things that you know the answer to but are too
engulfed in the research you aren’t thinking logically. Eventually you come to
realize what is going on and you return to the finished works of the Cross,
Jesus. When you come back to Jesus all of a sudden everything is clear and
after repentance, peace sets in. Satan is a master at deception and he will do
anything to get us to take our eyes off of Jesus.
And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the
days in which Antipas was My
faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells; There were some in this church that
knew the truth of the Gospel and were standing firm in their beliefs. Antipas
was one and as a result was killed by those in the church claiming to be God’s
children, but in reality belonged to Satan. Antipas was standing up against the
false doctrine that was within the church, as verses 14 and 15 reveal. In
reading history of this time period one finds many doctrinal issues being
disputed and if we claim to be Born Again Christians, then we are to stand up
and claim Jesus name. 1
Peter 4:14 If you are
reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On
their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
14 But I have a few things
against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who
taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat
things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Rearranging this verse into
these words, helps us to understand what Jesus is saying. “I have a few
complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that
of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them
to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin.” Jesus is
using the doctrine of Balaam as an example to the church of Pergamos in
pointing out they were committing spiritual adultery. It wasn’t that they were eating
things sacrificed to idols, and committing sexual immorality, but it was the
doctrine being introduced by some causing others to sin. Spiritual adultery is
when a Christian is married to Christ and he should be looking to Jesus for
everything, but is functioning or falls back to functioning under law. In other
words he is married to Christ but not fully trusting in Jesus. Paul gives an
example of this in Romans
7:1-4 Or do you not know, brethren
(for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man
as long as he lives? 2 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law
to her husband as long as he
lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3 So then if,
while her husband lives, she
marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies,
she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married
another man. 4
Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body
of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the
dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
15 Thus you also have those
who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
The verse before was
referring to doctrine and so does this verse. This verse isn’t saying the deeds
of the Nicolaitans, but doctrine, unscriptural doctrine. “Nikao” means “to conquer,”
and “laos,” means “people,” from which comes the English
word “laity,” therefore “laity-conquerors.” What this doctrine
was or what would be brought forth in the time frame of 300 – 500 A.D. we don’t
know, but one thing for sure is, Jesus didn’t and doesn’t approve of it because
of it being false and unscriptural. Based on the breakdown of Nicolaitans, it
was doctrine that would control and conquer the laity and it could be much
doctrine to pull one away from Jesus. The church of Pergamos was or would become
the Roman State church which was a combination of Church and State controlling
the people. We do know that Constantine and Sylvester I were both
Romans and became very close.
The question raised in my mind is, was the Roman Government and Sylvester I collaborating and proposing doctrine
that was not scriptural? History doesn’t say much about Sylvester I accomplishments, but Constantine is
mentioned quite often in his involvement of church business and structural contributions
like the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Santa Croce in
Gerusalemme, St. Peter's Basilica, and several cemeterial churches
over the graves of martyrs.
16 Repent, or else I will
come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
Jesus is warning the
people of this church to separate themselves from this false doctrine and
repent or He will deal with the matter and place judgment upon them. They are
to do it quickly before all are infected with the doctrine and led astray. That is, he would give the order, and they
would be cut as if by a sword. Precisely in what way it would be done he does
not say; but it might be by persecution, or by heavy judgments. To see the
force of this, we are to remember the power which Christ has to punish the
wicked by a word of his mouth. By a word in the last day he will turn all the
wicked into hell. (Barnes)
17 "He who has an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will
give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on
the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."
To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat; Jesus is telling all churches and us
as individuals to be scriptural. If we identify and overcome sin and false
doctrine, He will give us manna from Heaven to eat, meaning Himself, He is the
Bread of Life! For us to overcome we must be educated in what Scripture means, and
stay focused on the Finished Work of the Cross.
Why is Jesus referring to
it being “hidden manna”? It is hidden because we being human beings and born
with the inherited sin nature from Adam, the truth of the sin nature is hidden,
but when we seek Jesus and the truth earnestly, and give our heart to Jesus, we
are then fed the Bread of Life, Jesus, manna that will sustain life, eternal
life.
And I will give him a white stone; The
significance of a white stone is that it was used in ancient times in casting a
vote of not guilty. To put it in terms for us to understand, if our present day
juries were issued a white and a black stone at the beginning of a trial, then
at the conclusion of the trial they would cast a white stone if the person was
innocent or a black stone it they were guilty. When a person comes to know and
understand the truth of the Gospel and they repent, and accept Jesus as their
Saviour, they are given a white stone with a name on it to be presented to God
as one of His children. White stands for pure and righteousness without spot or
blemish, in God’s eyes, because they are covered by the shed blood of Jesus
Christ. It is a Born Again Saints ticket into Heaven provided they keep their
eyes focused on Jesus.
And on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him
who receives it; when a person accepts Jesus as their
Saviour they are given a new name. This name is a mystery not defined so only speculation
can be assumed. Is it a name that reflects our works here on earth; our love
for Jesus; our commitment to Him; our new Born Again state that will be
manifested in Heaven with a glorified body that will be in harmony with the
perfect renewal of our being? We don’t know but one thing for sure is, it is a
good thing!
Romans 1:16 For I am
not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,
for it is
the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…...
Romans
3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans
6:23 For the wages of sin is
death, but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John
3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I
say to you,
unless
one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Bill Wiesbrock
Last Week’s Trivia: Who was Ahikam?
Answer: Ahikam was an official in King
Josiah’s court. Ahikam was one of those sent by Josiah to Huldah the prophetess
to ask for advice when the book we now call Deuteronomy was discovered during
renovation in the Temple. Some years later, he protected Jeremiah from mob
violence. He was also remembered as the father of Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar
appointed as governor of Judah. 2 Kings 22; 2
Chronicles 34:20; Jeremiah 26:24; 39:14; 40:5-16
This week’s Trivia: Who was Ahilud?
