The Church in Pergamos
Christ Jesus: Satan’s Seat in the Church in Pergamos
The Testimony of Christ Jesus continues as he dictates a letter to John the Divine for the angel of the Church in Pergamos. This is the third letter to the Seven Churches of Asia. Welcome to you to our Revelation Bible Study. Today’s reference is Revelation Chapter Two verses twelve to seventeen.
The image that we of Christ Jesus is of a man “and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword”, Revelation 1:16. This sword is the Word of God. Listen to the language of the Lord: “and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth,” Revelation 2:16. This is not a sword of the hand but a sword of the mouth. This sword is the sword of the Spirit the Word of God, Ephesians 6:17.
What is Satan’s Seat doing in the Church in Pergamos? The Church in Ephesus like the Church in Pergamos has commendable qualities. The latter has held on to their faith in Jesus even in life threatening circumstances. The Church in Pergamos did not abandon their faith in the name of Jesus Christ. They were faithful even when their Believers were killed for their faith and their belief in Jesus Christ. Despite that Satan established his authority in the midst of the Church in Pergamos, Revelation 2:13.
However, Christ Jesus has a “few things against” the Church in Pergamos. They embrace Believers who practice the “the doctrine of Balaam” and “the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes”. Therefore, the Church in Pergamos is operating exactly opposite to the Church in Ephesus, Revelation 2:6, 14 – 15.
Christ Jesus Encourages the Church in Pergamos to Repent
Christ Jesus is not pleased with the performance of the Church in Pergamos because He invites it to repent. He extended a similar invitation to the Church in Ephesus. Anytime Believers are in sin, the Lord always sends a word of repentance for them.
That was why the Lord sent a word of repentance to the great city of Nineveh by the Prophet Jonah. Similarly, that is why both John and Jesus came preaching repentance. In your local assembly, your pastor or whom ever the Lord sent will preach repentance to turn people away from sin to God. There is no fixed way for that Word of God to get to you but it will. Sometime it comes by a song, or by your own conscience.
The Church in Pergamos got the word of repentance from God through John. Failure to repent has its own consequences: “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” Additional, there is no pleasant eternity without repentance. To reign eternally with Christ Jesus people everywhere must repent and turn to God by Jesus Christ. The Lord reminded the Church in Pergamos and I’m reminding you, repent and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.
Christ Jesus Promise to Reward the Church in Pergamos for Overcoming
- “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receives it,” Revelation 2:17.
The importance for every Believer to heed Christ Jesus’ words to the Church in Pergamos has taken on new meaning. Christ word to the Church in Pergamos and to each Believer is, overcome. Christ promised us through his letter to the Church in Ephesus, “To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life,” Revelation 2:7. Through the Church in Smyrna he promised, “He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death,” Revelation 2:11.
Now, through the Church in Pergamos he promised three additional things to the Believer who overcomes, “the hidden manna”; “a white stone” and “a new name”. As we, progress with our Revelation Bible Study the meanings of these promises will become clearer.
The Church in Pergamos kept the name of Jesus Christ, they kept their “faith” in him and produce “Antipas” a “faithful martyr”. Despite all this, Satan established himself among them.
In closing, Christ Jesus word to all Believers of the Church in Pergamos and to all contemporary Believers in Jesus Christ is, overcome. All your faith and your good works mean nothing if you fail to overcome. Overcome Believers and enjoy all Christ’s promises to you through Jesus Christ.
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