Monday October 12th 2009

Glorious Church Part 4; Pergamos Church.

Rev 2:12 To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17He 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. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

Jesus comes as He that has the sharp, two edged sword. John’s first sight of Him; Re 1:16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

What is its significance? Remember Jesus is “The Word”…

John 1;1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Now compare;

Heb 4:12

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The church of Pergamos was infected with men of corrupt minds, who did what they could to corrupt both the faith and activities of the church; and so Christ takes the title of him that has the sharp sword with two edges. You can’t escape – whichever way you turn, the sword will be there. So it is with the Word of God. See Heb 4;12 (above)

As with the previous two churches, Jesus tells them He knows all about them, in this case, where they live – where Satan has his throne.

Again, two manuscripts omit “Works”, though KJV has it.

‘Satan’s Throne’. The god Æsculapius was worshipped there under the serpent form; We need to realise there are spiritual forces at work. Satan is “The god of this world”, and as such has principalities and powers who rule certain areas. Missionaries have found this in certain places where they could do nothing until the evil dignitary was cast out.

We can imagine that living in this place for Christians would have been difficult. eg Imagine being a Christian in Saudi Arabia today; It was probably much the same for them. They were put to death; Antipas is singled out and was probably the ‘Bishop’ of Pergamom. He was reputedly roasted alive in a brass bull with a fire beneath it.

You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

How would we go on if we knew that our meeting tonight could be invaded by police and we would be put to death?

Church service was interrupted by armed men who burst in and said, “We are going to kill every Christian, starting with the pastor. Anyone who wants to go can do so. You have 1 minute. There was a rush for the doors. Only a small handful of people were left with the pastor. “OK Pastor,” said one of the men, “you can carry on now. We just got rid of all the hypocrites for you!”

Pergamums were commended by the Lord for their faithfulness in the face of persecution. Even when their bishop was cruelly martyred they stayed steadfast.

But it was not enough; Error had crept in. They had compromised.

Doctrine of Balaam: Balaam used sorcery to try and do what Balak wanted. (see Numbers24;1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as at other times, but turned his face toward the desert. ² When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him ³ and he uttered his oracle:

Balaam did not do what he was supposed to! – Turn the people to God. God overruled him, but his heart was wrong. In the next chapter we find Israel turning to worship ‘Baalpeor’. Which is what Jesus refers to here.

He took bribes, to preach error. They turned to immorality.

Worshipping Baal, eating food sacrificed to idols = demon worship (See 1Cor 10;20 But (I say), that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons. (ASV)

As a result of their behaviour, God sent a plague to punish them. Israel had to put it right before the plague was stayed.

So here. Jesus tells them to repent.

Why? Because they allowed people to stay in the church whose doctrine and practices were wrong. They had not put things right. Need to realise how important this is.

Paul writing to the Galatians (5;7) says, “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? ⁸ The One who chooses you does not keep you from obeying the truth. ⁹ You should know that “just a little yeast works its way through the whole batch of dough.” ¹⁰ The Lord makes me certain that you will not think in any other way. The one who has got you all mixed up will pay the price. It doesn’t matter who that may be.

And that is the whole problem. A little yeast; ‘one bad apple will spoil the barrel’.

So he says, “Repent… put it right”.

This is the one thing that is fundamental to Christianity; Forgiveness is available. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

It separates us from most other religions. Eg Islam – punishment and revenge seem to be paramount. Just this week reports of a young woman murdered because she went out with the “wrong” boy.

Forgiveness is a basic for the Christian. (Lord’s prayer – forgive us… as we forgive). Jesus went on to say if we don’t forgive God won’t.

God is calling his Church to be pure: Doctrine Right; Motives Right; Behaviour Right; Morals Right.

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

Remember Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

This is why we need to read the Word of God. Many ‘modern’ church services don’t have ‘Bible Reading’. Yet it is the only ‘Bible’ many people will get!

Thoughts and Attitudes: Do we really appreciate how important these are? Luke 6;45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Our thoughts and attitudes determine our lives. How do we see things?

Israel’s attitude caused her defeat. First time they lost Canaan. The problem was how they saw the ‘giants’; “We are as grasshoppers in their sight”.

The Canaanites weren’t THAT big!

So our problems: Family, work etc.

David saw the giant Goliath as an opportunity to glorify God.

God says ‘I’m with you”… He wants to prove Himself to us.

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (NIV)

You can’t count it as joy unless you see it as an opportunity; “God is developing me, building me, proving me, through this.”

Problems? God says, “Praise Me… I’ll deal with it!”

In effect God said to Pergamos, I’m looking for Character:

GOD HONOURS CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY. Not ability, beauty, strength.

He’s a Moral God – Holy.

“You can’t break the laws of God – they break you!” (Cecil B. DeMille – in film 10 commandments)

We need to be building character into our kids as well as ourselves – but again, attitudes – are catching.

It is never alright to do wrong to do right.

Rom 3:8 And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?– as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just. (NKJ)

Eg. Some say “do the lottery to benefit church” Others “L is helping charities” – a) it helps some ‘charities’ that we probably wouldn’t want to. b) Rom 3;8 (above)!

God is interested in finished product, not what you are now. He knows end from beginning.

God is building our character. The world looks at personality, gifting, possessions: We want things NOW;

God takes his time.

We live in a throw away society; Don’t repair, replace! (Freezer; Cost £200 + to repair, £170 for a new one!)

God looks at Character: Can you keep your word. Tell truth; stay moral; will you finish: Character; A HOLY people.

How much am I like Christ?

Rev 2;12. The KJV is more literal; because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

That was one of problems with Baalam. He took a bribe.

The word ‘stumbling block’ is interesting; it is the part of a trap on which the bait was laid, and which, when touched, caused the trap to close on its prey;

Balak wanted to know how to defeat the Israelites. The devil is subtle. Lays a trap for the unwary. Jesus says, ‘clear them out!’

Eating things sacrificed to idols was a particular problem for the early church. It almost meant you couldn’t eat with an unbeliever. Meat, after a part had been offered in sacrifice, was almost sure to be on the heathen families’ table. This is why the council of Jerusalem forbade to eat such food; subsequently some at Corinth ate unscrupulously and knowingly of such meats, on the ground that the idol is nothing; others needlessly tortured themselves, lest unknowingly they should eat of them when they got meat from the market or in a heathen friend’s house. Paul handles the question in 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, 10:25-33. If you KNOW it has been offered to idols, then don’t eat it. If you don’t know, don’t ask questions!

In both scriptures Paul emphasises that what is important is that we don’t cause the unbeliever or other Christians to ‘stumble’.

The Nicolaitains: (See study above on Ephesians Church)

Rev.2;17… To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

Hidden Manna? Jewish mythology maintained that the manna in the ark was hidden by Jeremiah or taken by an angel to heaven until the Messiah should come. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.” (John 6:48-50) He is letting them know that the manna in the old days was a foreshadowing of the new covenant. HE is the REAL manna. ‘If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.’” (John 6:51)

There are some silly teachings going around, about this ‘hidden manna’ – note that it is given to him that overcomes – not those who are still alive!

Manna kept them alive in the wilderness. This manna seems to be speaking of Christ’s gift of eternal life.

White stone: Some say this white stone speaks of freedom from the guilt of sin, referring to the custom at that time of juries putting a white stone in an urn to acquit and a black stone to condemn.

However, this stone has a name on it. An overcomer’s name. And it is given to the winner personally. Victors in the Games were not only given a garland but also a gift. When he went home he would be acknowledged as a conqueror and given prizes etc.. The white stone with his name inscribed would testify to his win.

But it is to be a ‘new name’. A name of honour; cp Isa 62;2-4 The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.  ³ You will be a crown of splendour in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

The new name is the name of adoption: adopted persons take the name of the family into which they are adopted. Rev 22;4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. (NKJ)

What a difference to all other religions; They talk about ‘Nirvana’ – where we melt and become part of the ‘whole’ or come back for another try! No, Jesus recognises our individuality; our character. The name will recognise our own individual particular relationship with Him. Our gifting, our calling in God.

The most important thing in our lives is our relationship with Jesus.

People fall away because they’re dependant on others… Learn to stand on own two feet.

Drug Addict? Dependant on drug. Smoker:etc…

Even clothes: Wear nice things – OK, But if do it because afraid of what others might think, then you are dependent… Do what you do because you want to: Because God wants you to;

LIFE IS A MARATHON:

Not a jump, sprint, a walk….

You can’t change direction unless you’re moving. Stand still, get nowhere. Keep going!

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

BALANCE…. Win some, lose some, – that’s life! Don’t win all the time. Don’t get answers to all prayers! Make mistakes:

No disgrace to fall down flat, but is a disgrace to stay there.

That’s how the world measures Christianity; How we face up to death, disaster, loss, sickness, etc…

WHAT A TESTIMONY that God can take us thru failure; He loved you when you were a sinner, so he loves you just as much now!

He that overcomes: ITS HOW WE FINISH THAT MATTERS:

Every letter in Revelation finishes with “To him that overcomes…”