Hi, I'm Ryan.
I'm the pastor at Ocean Water.
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Now, today we're going to look at Revelation chapter 2 verses 12 through 17.
We're going to talk about the church in Pergamum today.
Now, Revelation 2 verse 12 through 17 contains a message from Jesus to the church in Pergamum.
It's one of the seven churches that's mentioned here in the book of Revelation.
Now, in this passage, Jesus addresses both commendable aspects and areas of concern within
this local church.
Now, let's go through these verses, verse by verse, providing a detailed explanation
of their meaning and significance.
Now, verse 12 reads, to the angel of the church in Pergamum write, these are the words of
him who has a sharp double-edged sword.
Now, in this verse, Jesus instructs John to write a message to this church.
Now, the angel referred to here is likely a symbolic representation of the messenger
or leader of this church.
Jesus identifies himself as the one with the sharp double-edged sword.
Now, this imagery conveys that Jesus possesses the authority and the power to judge and discern
the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Now, only God knows our heart.
The double-edged sword symbolizes his word, which can bring both judgment and provide
salvation for our lives.
Now, look at verse 13, it says, I know where you live, where Satan has his throne, yet
you remain true to my name.
You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Anapis, my faithful witness
who was put to death in your city, the city where Satan lives.
Wow, that's pretty gnarly.
What does that mean?
Well, in John here, it states that Pergamum is the city where Satan has his throne.
Now, he's using symbolic language to describe the spiritual atmosphere and challenges faced
by this church, just like we face these challenges in our lives.
This phrase signifies the pervasive influence of idolatry and false religious practices
in this city.
This town was known for its prominent temples and altars dedicated to various pagan gods,
including the worship of the Roman emperor.
Does that sound familiar?
It's the same way in our culture today.
Now, by referring to Satan's throne, John is highlighting the stronghold that idolatry
and pagan beliefs had there and how they have them in our lives.
This city's devotion to false gods and worship represented an opposition to the worship of
Jesus and posed a significant spiritual threat to that church.
So Jesus is warning them not to be involved in this.
Now, in essence, John's statement emphasizes the intense spiritual warfare faced by this
church.
They were surrounded by a culture that was rooted in idolatry and false teachings.
Now, this serves as a reminder to us of the challenges and temptations that we will encounter
in the environments in our life and that we're to have an unwavering commitment to Jesus
in the midst of these spiritual battles.
Now look at verse 14.
It says, 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.
Now here, Jesus begins to address the issues within this church.
He points out that some members have adopted the teachings of Balaam, an Old Testament
figure who led the Israelites into sin by advising King Balak to entice them into idolatry
and sexual immorality.
Now in the context of this church, this likely signified that some members were compromising
their faith by participating in idolatrous practices such as eating food, sacrificed
to idols, engaging in immoral behavior.
Now Jesus sees this as a serious problem that needs correction.
In verse 15, it says, Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teachings of the Nicolaitans.
Now who are the Nicolaitans?
The Nicolaitans were a group that is mentioned in both the letter to the church in Ephesus
and here in Revelation to the church in Pergamum.
Now there's kind of limited information about them, but it seems they promoted a form of
antinomianism.
It's a fancy word.
It basically means the belief that a person can indulge in sinful behavior without the
consequences because they're saved by grace.
This is a false teaching.
We reap what we sow.
This teaching encouraged compromise with the culture and to just sort of give into immorality.
Some of the members of the church had embraced this type of thinking.
A lot of people act like Nicolaitans today.
You know, if you love God and you're walking in the spirit, you want to be as close to
God as possible, not as close to sin as possible.
My advice, stay as close to God as you possibly can.
In verse 16, he says, Repent therefore, otherwise I will soon come to you and I will fight against
them with the sword of my mouth.
Now in this verse, Jesus calls the church in Pergamum to repentance.
Did you know he calls us to repentance?
To do a 180, to quit doing things.
Now he warns them that if they do not turn away from the teachings of Balaam and the
Nicolaitans, he will come and he will fight against them with the sword of his mouth.
This is really heavy.
We don't want God fighting against us.
This emphasizes the seriousness of the situation.
Jesus who originally identified himself as the one with the sharp sword in verse 12,
now indicates that he will use his word to judge and correct those who persist in unrepentant
sin.
Lastly, verse 17 says, 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.
This is a pretty cool promise.
In this final verse of this passage, Jesus encourages all those who hear this message
to listen and to take heed.
The phrase, Whoever has ears, let them hear, it's a call to spiritual discernment and obedience
to obey is better than to sacrifice.
The promise to the victorious or the one who overcomes suggests that those who resist the
temptations and false teachings in the church will receive spiritual blessings.
The hidden manna likely represents spiritual nourishment or sustenance that only the faithful
will enjoy.
This brings us back to the manna that was provided to the Israelites in the wilderness
in the Old Testament.
Now, the white stone with the new name is more symbolic and might indicate a new identity
or a special relationship with Jesus that only the recipient will fully understand.
As we draw close to God, he draws close to us.
So let's sort of wrap all of this up.
This passage today contains a message to this church.
It commends them for their faithfulness in a challenging environment, but admonishes
them that tolerating false teachings and sinful practices are no bueno.
The passage emphasizes the need for repentance and promises blessings to those who remain
faithful.
God wants us to be faithful.
It also underscores the authority of Jesus' word in bringing judgment and correction to
the people who follow him.
Well, as always, thank you so much for joining along.
I hope this blesses you.
Please share it with a friend.
Until next time, I hope you have a beautiful day.