Pergamum: False Teaching, 17 July 2016

Pergamum: False Teaching
7 Letters: Revelation 2-3
Revelation 2:12-17

Series Overview:
Revelation is the Gospel according to Jesus. In chapters two and three, he speaks to seven churches, offering both correction and encouragement. Each is relevant to our church today.

Big Idea: The church at Pergamum was tolerating false teaching in the church rather than uniting under the truth of God’s Word.

Introduction

Like many of you, I found the last book of the Bible to be confusing, weird, and even a bit scary. We are not studying the entire book (perhaps we’ll talk about wings and beasts and 666 in the future) but we are going to look at the Gospel according to Jesus. Perhaps that’s a new phrase to you. Many know of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus also wrote a book of the Bible, or at least he spoke much of it. If you have a Bible with the words of Jesus in red, you’ll notice chapters 2 and 3 are all red, all words of Jesus. The book begins:

The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:1-2)
Revelation is not about the antichrist (a term which does not appear in the book of Revelation), but about the living Christ. It is not about a rapture out of this world (the word “rapture” is not found in Revelation, either) but about faithful discipleship in this world. As it says, this is the revelation from Jesus. We read Revelation to know Jesus better. It reveals Christ.
The book of Revelation was written around A.D. 95 when Christians were entering a time of persecution. Emperor worship was growing so anyone who held that Jesus, not Caesar, was Lord was subject to hostility. Needless to say, following Jesus was not politically correct.

Chapter 1 describes a scene where John encounters Jesus.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:17-20)

Revelation is filled with fantastical symbolism. In this instance, it is clear. The stars are angels of the churches. The lampstands are the churches, the people.

Our series is focusing on these seven churches. This week’s church is Pergamum or Pergamon, a city in modern-day Turkey near Bergama. Heather and I were blessed to have been able to visit it earlier this year. It’s truly a city on a hill.

It featured massive temples to Dionysius and Athena, a stadium, a theatre, a huge forum and an amphitheater along with a shrine to Asclepius, the god of healing. Its library was second in the world only to Alexandria. Mark Anthony gave the library to his girlfriend Cleopatra. Its wealth was so great that many of the library’s 200,000 volumes were written on costly sheepskin—parchment (this is centuries before the printing press) rather than papyrus.

The city was also known for its vast medical knowledge. It was the religious center. It was the most illustrious city in Asia Minor. Some say it was the one city deserving of being a royal city.

The ancient city today is reached by cable car. It is a fascinating place. It features a beautiful valley. It’s not a coastal city like Ephesus and Smyrna but it was built to withstand the enemy. The acropolis—city or settlement on a hill or elevated ground— dominated the entire region.

Revelation 2

“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. (Revelation 2:12)

Pergamum was symbolized by a sword. The city was given the unusual independent authority to execute capital punishment.

Jesus says he has the sharp, double-edged sword, the Word. The book of Hebrews says

For the word of God is alive 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. (Hebrews 4:12)

God’s word is powerful! The Roman empire would eventually come to an end, but Jesus will rule forever! The Word of God is the answer to man’s sin and man’s need. In this instance it was the answer to religion.

I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. (Revelation 2:13a)

Can you imagine living where satan has his throne? This was not the Bible belt! Scholars are unsure why Jesus mentions satan’s throne. It could be a reference to the emperor’s cult, the great altar for Zeus, the temple of Asclepius (the god of healing; they used medicine, psychology, etc. for 700 years it was a hospital that attracted people from around the world), or the acropolis with temples to other gods and goddesses. Whatever the reason, the Pergamum church lived in the midst of tremendous evil and idolatry.

Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
(Revelation 2:13b)

Last week we talked about the persecution in Smyrna including the martyr (which is Greek for “witness”) Polycarp. Antipas—whose name means “against all”—was killed in Pergamum. This church remained true. They were faithful. They endured…and were commended for it.

I pray we would remain faithful to the name of Jesus. It’s not always a popular word to declare—unless it’s used as profanity. It’s fine to talk about God

Satan is not in hell…yet! At this time his headquarters were in Pergamum. Where is it today?! The heathen temples were imposing.

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (Revelation 2:14-15)

Jesus does not say “but” or “yet,” instead saying, “Nevertheless.” This church has some issues. First, there is division. Some followed the faithful example of Antipas while others followed the Balaamites and the Nicolaitans (both names mean “Victor or Destroyer of the People”).

Unity

Unity is so essential to a vibrant, healthy church. It is one of my four prayers for First Alliance Church, that we would be united. I pray for unity—not uniformity, but unity. We are united at the foot of the cross. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. Jesus said,

“Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. (Luke 11:17b)

One of my favorite prayers in the Bible was prayed by Jesus…for us!

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23)

Jesus prayed for unity. When we pray for unity, we are agreeing with Christ. We know it’s his will!

Yet there are more than 30,000 Christian denominations! Imagine if Jesus didn’t pray for us!!!

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

Unity is so important, yet it must be unity around truth, not false teaching.

I have said before and will say again our authority as a church is not in my words or even the president of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, Dr. John Stumbo. The Bible—the Word of God—is our authority. It’s obviously a big book and there are controversial issues, but we cannot do anything which contradicts the Bible. We need wisdom and discernment, especially in the difficult scriptures. Fortunately there are many clear, foundational doctrines with which millions of followers of Jesus can embrace. Here’s one example:

Apostle’s Creed video

Returning to our text for today, there was false teaching about sexual immorality and meat sacrificed to idols. The first is common in our day, the latter seems foreign to us, but people often ate meat sold in the public markets ritually slaughtered and dedicated to the Roman gods. This was not mere nourishment, but often led to sharing in the pagan festivals of the unbelievers of the day which often included sexual immorality.

Have we been influenced by the unbelievers of our day? Do we embrace sinful practices? It’s easy to compromise our faith when the culture is screaming political correctness 24/7 through every screen and media outlet.

The people of Pergamum compromised the Word of God. You cannot simultaneously love Jesus and the world. You cannot honor God and sin.

The world came into the Church during this period. The Ephesus church hated the Nicolaitans teachings, but the Pergamum church embraced it. Perhaps it was a religious spirit. Whatever it was, it did not honor God.

How do we know what honors God? How do we know the scriptures? How do we know the truth? We must read the Bible. We must listen to the Bible. We must study the Bible.

Never before have there been so many ways to access the sacred scriptures. It’s on my phone, my laptop, and my iPad. I have multiple Bibles, commentaries, and study guides. The Internet is packed with blogs, websites, podcasts, and videos. We must know the truth…in a world of lies.

Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:16)

The only cure was repentance. The Word of God was the answer. If they did not repent, Jesus was going to fight
against them! He would do it not to harm them, but rather to purify them.

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. (Revelation 2:17)

Our text concludes with a message not only for those in Pergamum but whoever has ears, all who respond to the Spirit’s voice. Jesus promises two things to the victorious, to the overcomer who trusts in Jesus: hidden manna and a white stone.

Manna was God’s miraculous provision for the people of Israel during their 40-year journey in the wilderness. To those who refused the food of idolatrous pagan festivals Jesus would provide a special gift. Jesus is the Bread of Life. He will strengthen them.

White stones were used by jurors to free an alleged criminal. They were also used as entrance tickets to banquets and plays. It is possible Jesus is saying believers are forgiven of their sins, they are free from the condemnation we deserve. Jesus died to set us free. He took our punishment. We are given a white stone with a new name known only to us. We become new creations. We are made new. We are born again. We are declared righteous. We receive a new identity—in Christ. Hallelujah!

So What?

It’s easy to jump ahead, assuming we get manna, the Bread of Life, forgiveness, salvation, and a new identity since we attend church and call ourselves Christians. But don’t forget, this entire passage is directed at a church. Some were found faithful, others followers of false teachings. In our day, there are many spiritual people who can draw a crowd, but do they love Jesus Christ? Do they know and follow his teachings, his Word? Do you?

Perhaps you believe you deserve to go to heaven because you’re a good person, but you’re not. I’m not. All of us sin. All of us fall short of God’s perfect standard, and therefore none of us deserve to go to heaven. It’s only because of Jesus—his death on our behalf—which allows us to be forgiven, free, and reconciled to our heavenly Father. You don’t deserve it. You can’t earn it. All you can do is surrender your life to the One who surrendered his for you. Jesus wants to be not only your Savior, but also your Lord, your King. Following him may be costly, but you’ll never regret it.

My prayer for First Alliance Church is that God would give us protection, direction, passion…and unity, united under our Senior Pastor, Jesus Christ. United in the Word of God, the holy scriptures of the Bible. I pray we would be faithful to sound doctrine and never be lured by false teaching. I pray we would remain faithful to Christ, our Cornerstone. It’s all about Jesus!

  • You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
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