1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,000 Hi, I'm Ryan. 2 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:02,200 I'm the pastor at Ocean Water. 3 00:00:02,200 --> 00:00:04,440 Thanks for watching and listening today. 4 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:06,200 Would you do me a favor? 5 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:10,600 If you're new to this channel, if you're listening to it, would you please like it and turn on 6 00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:11,600 the notifications? 7 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:19,440 I've taught over 261 Bible teachings now, and I'd love for you to share it with someone. 8 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:22,880 This will help us to get the Word of God into people's lives. 9 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:26,560 We have about 31,000 downloads. 10 00:00:26,560 --> 00:00:32,360 My heart is to help people learn God's Word and let it be a little bit more a part of 11 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:34,640 their life every single day. 12 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:38,560 If you'd share it, I'd really appreciate it and help God's Word get out there. 13 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:44,240 Now, today we're going to look at Revelation chapter 2 verses 12 through 17. 14 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:48,560 We're going to talk about the church in Pergamum today. 15 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:57,040 Now, Revelation 2 verse 12 through 17 contains a message from Jesus to the church in Pergamum. 16 00:00:57,040 --> 00:01:00,640 It's one of the seven churches that's mentioned here in the book of Revelation. 17 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:09,360 Now, in this passage, Jesus addresses both commendable aspects and areas of concern within 18 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:10,680 this local church. 19 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:16,280 Now, let's go through these verses, verse by verse, providing a detailed explanation 20 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:18,200 of their meaning and significance. 21 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:26,640 Now, verse 12 reads, to the angel of the church in Pergamum write, these are the words of 22 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:30,040 him who has a sharp double-edged sword. 23 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:35,400 Now, in this verse, Jesus instructs John to write a message to this church. 24 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:43,240 Now, the angel referred to here is likely a symbolic representation of the messenger 25 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:45,800 or leader of this church. 26 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:51,400 Jesus identifies himself as the one with the sharp double-edged sword. 27 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:59,360 Now, this imagery conveys that Jesus possesses the authority and the power to judge and discern 28 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,440 the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 29 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:04,000 Now, only God knows our heart. 30 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:10,600 The double-edged sword symbolizes his word, which can bring both judgment and provide 31 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:12,200 salvation for our lives. 32 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:18,280 Now, look at verse 13, it says, I know where you live, where Satan has his throne, yet 33 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:20,880 you remain true to my name. 34 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:27,640 You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Anapis, my faithful witness 35 00:02:27,640 --> 00:02:33,040 who was put to death in your city, the city where Satan lives. 36 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:35,480 Wow, that's pretty gnarly. 37 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:36,480 What does that mean? 38 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:42,720 Well, in John here, it states that Pergamum is the city where Satan has his throne. 39 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:50,080 Now, he's using symbolic language to describe the spiritual atmosphere and challenges faced 40 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:54,760 by this church, just like we face these challenges in our lives. 41 00:02:54,760 --> 00:03:01,160 This phrase signifies the pervasive influence of idolatry and false religious practices 42 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:02,160 in this city. 43 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:08,600 This town was known for its prominent temples and altars dedicated to various pagan gods, 44 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:11,600 including the worship of the Roman emperor. 45 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:12,920 Does that sound familiar? 46 00:03:12,920 --> 00:03:16,480 It's the same way in our culture today. 47 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:21,600 Now, by referring to Satan's throne, John is highlighting the stronghold that idolatry 48 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:26,800 and pagan beliefs had there and how they have them in our lives. 49 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:33,400 This city's devotion to false gods and worship represented an opposition to the worship of 50 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:38,160 Jesus and posed a significant spiritual threat to that church. 51 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:41,440 So Jesus is warning them not to be involved in this. 52 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:46,960 Now, in essence, John's statement emphasizes the intense spiritual warfare faced by this 53 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:47,960 church. 54 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:52,840 They were surrounded by a culture that was rooted in idolatry and false teachings. 55 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:59,600 Now, this serves as a reminder to us of the challenges and temptations that we will encounter 56 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:06,320 in the environments in our life and that we're to have an unwavering commitment to Jesus 57 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:09,960 in the midst of these spiritual battles. 58 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:10,960 Now look at verse 14. 59 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:14,600 It says, Nevertheless, I have a few things against you. 60 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:19,560 There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the 61 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:27,080 Israelites to sin so that they ate food, sacrificed to idols, and committed sexual immorality. 62 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:33,760 Now here, Jesus begins to address the issues within this church. 63 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:38,800 He points out that some members have adopted the teachings of Balaam, an Old Testament 64 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:46,960 figure who led the Israelites into sin by advising King Balak to entice them into idolatry 65 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:48,720 and sexual immorality. 66 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:55,520 Now in the context of this church, this likely signified that some members were compromising 67 00:04:55,520 --> 00:05:03,000 their faith by participating in idolatrous practices such as eating food, sacrificed 68 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:06,600 to idols, engaging in immoral behavior. 69 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:13,220 Now Jesus sees this as a serious problem that needs correction. 70 00:05:13,220 --> 00:05:19,840 In verse 15, it says, Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teachings of the Nicolaitans. 71 00:05:19,840 --> 00:05:21,800 Now who are the Nicolaitans? 72 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:28,140 The Nicolaitans were a group that is mentioned in both the letter to the church in Ephesus 73 00:05:28,140 --> 00:05:31,960 and here in Revelation to the church in Pergamum. 74 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:38,800 Now there's kind of limited information about them, but it seems they promoted a form of 75 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:39,800 antinomianism. 76 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:41,800 It's a fancy word. 77 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:48,280 It basically means the belief that a person can indulge in sinful behavior without the 78 00:05:48,280 --> 00:05:52,000 consequences because they're saved by grace. 79 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:53,720 This is a false teaching. 80 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:55,600 We reap what we sow. 81 00:05:55,600 --> 00:06:03,000 This teaching encouraged compromise with the culture and to just sort of give into immorality. 82 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,280 Some of the members of the church had embraced this type of thinking. 83 00:06:06,280 --> 00:06:09,000 A lot of people act like Nicolaitans today. 84 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:13,000 You know, if you love God and you're walking in the spirit, you want to be as close to 85 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:18,320 God as possible, not as close to sin as possible. 86 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:24,080 My advice, stay as close to God as you possibly can. 87 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:31,400 In verse 16, he says, Repent therefore, otherwise I will soon come to you and I will fight against 88 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:33,840 them with the sword of my mouth. 89 00:06:33,840 --> 00:06:40,760 Now in this verse, Jesus calls the church in Pergamum to repentance. 90 00:06:40,760 --> 00:06:42,600 Did you know he calls us to repentance? 91 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:44,920 To do a 180, to quit doing things. 92 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:49,920 Now he warns them that if they do not turn away from the teachings of Balaam and the 93 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:56,300 Nicolaitans, he will come and he will fight against them with the sword of his mouth. 94 00:06:56,300 --> 00:06:57,300 This is really heavy. 95 00:06:57,300 --> 00:06:59,300 We don't want God fighting against us. 96 00:06:59,300 --> 00:07:03,040 This emphasizes the seriousness of the situation. 97 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:08,360 Jesus who originally identified himself as the one with the sharp sword in verse 12, 98 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:16,320 now indicates that he will use his word to judge and correct those who persist in unrepentant 99 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:17,880 sin. 100 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:26,240 Lastly, verse 17 says, Whoever has ears, let them hear what the spirit says to the churches. 101 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:30,840 To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. 102 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:37,520 I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only 103 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:39,440 to the one who receives it. 104 00:07:39,440 --> 00:07:41,720 This is a pretty cool promise. 105 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:49,920 In this final verse of this passage, Jesus encourages all those who hear this message 106 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:52,600 to listen and to take heed. 107 00:07:52,600 --> 00:08:00,680 The phrase, Whoever has ears, let them hear, it's a call to spiritual discernment and obedience 108 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:03,440 to obey is better than to sacrifice. 109 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:09,680 The promise to the victorious or the one who overcomes suggests that those who resist the 110 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:16,920 temptations and false teachings in the church will receive spiritual blessings. 111 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:23,480 The hidden manna likely represents spiritual nourishment or sustenance that only the faithful 112 00:08:23,480 --> 00:08:25,120 will enjoy. 113 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:29,720 This brings us back to the manna that was provided to the Israelites in the wilderness 114 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:30,720 in the Old Testament. 115 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:36,400 Now, the white stone with the new name is more symbolic and might indicate a new identity 116 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:42,880 or a special relationship with Jesus that only the recipient will fully understand. 117 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:47,920 As we draw close to God, he draws close to us. 118 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:50,700 So let's sort of wrap all of this up. 119 00:08:50,700 --> 00:08:53,880 This passage today contains a message to this church. 120 00:08:53,880 --> 00:08:58,440 It commends them for their faithfulness in a challenging environment, but admonishes 121 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:05,320 them that tolerating false teachings and sinful practices are no bueno. 122 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:10,400 The passage emphasizes the need for repentance and promises blessings to those who remain 123 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:11,400 faithful. 124 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:13,240 God wants us to be faithful. 125 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:19,240 It also underscores the authority of Jesus' word in bringing judgment and correction to 126 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:21,120 the people who follow him. 127 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:25,280 Well, as always, thank you so much for joining along. 128 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:26,880 I hope this blesses you. 129 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:28,320 Please share it with a friend. 130 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:30,640 Until next time, I hope you have a beautiful day.