Church Message to Pergamos
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: “I know your works, (1) and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne (2) is. And you hold fast to My name (3) and did not deny My faith (4) even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr (5),
who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things
against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of
Balaam (6), who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols (7), and to commit sexual immorality (8). Thus, you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (9), which I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth (10). He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (11). To him who overcomes (12)
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.”’” Revelation 2:12-17
1) Believers’ good works will bring glory to God.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be
hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a
lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
2) Pergamos was a center of pagan worship.
The most famous structure from the city is the monumental altar, sometimes called the Great Altar, which was probably dedicated to Zeus and Athena.
In the New Testament Book of Revelation, the faith of the Pergamon
believers, who "dwell where Satan's throne is" is commended by the
author. Many scholars believe that the "seat of Satan" refers to the
Pergamon Altar, due to its resemblance to a gigantic throne. Wikipedia
Encyclopedia.
3) Believers will believe in the name of Jesus Christ and love one another.
And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 1 John 3:23
4) Believers will have faith in Jesus Christ for eternal life.
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of
all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be
found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law,
but that which is through faith in Christ,
the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and
the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings,
being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the
resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:7-11
5) Believers may be murdered in ungodly societies.
Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at
him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him.
And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man
named Saul. And they stoned Stephen
as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not
charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:57-60
6) Believers should never try to get rich from the gospel.
They have a heart trained in covetous practices and are accursed
children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following
the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. 2 Peter 2:14-15
7) Believers should never have idols in their lives.
Therefore, put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of
disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in
them. Colossians 3:5-7
8) Believers should not commit sexual immorality.
Flee sexual immorality. Every
sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual
immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body
is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God,
and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore,
glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1
Corinthians 6:18-20
9) The Nicolaitans were an early
Christian sect condemned in the Book of Revelation for teaching
spiritual compromise, idolatry, and sexual immorality.
10) The wrath of God is upon false Christians.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown
it to them. Romans 1:18-19
11) There is no one true organized church.
12) Believers will gain eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone
who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this
we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His
commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is
born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has
overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:1-5