THE THIRD LETTER:
TO PERGAMUM

Revelation 2:12-17 (NIV)
12  "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.
13  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, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
14  Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.
15  Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16  Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

STRONG CONFESSION

• powerful persecution -- "You live...where Satan has his throne."

• proper profession -- "You remain true to my name."

• praiseworthy perseverance -- "You did not renounce your faith."

SPIRITUAL COMPROMISE

• compromised doctrine -- "...the teaching of Balaam...the Nicolaitans..."

  • the perversion of purity -- "...the teaching of Balaam..."
    • sensual idolatry - "Balaam...taught...eating food sacrificed to idols..."
    • sexual immorality - "Balaam...taught...committing sexual immorality."
  • the pursuit of personal power -- "...the teaching of the Nicolaitans..."
    • the doctrine of Christian classes
    • the demeaning of Christian comrades
    • the deterioration of courtesy, contrition, cooperation and community

• corrupt deeds -- "You have people there who hold to the teaching..."

  • idolatry embraced
  • immorality excused
  • insult and injury inflicted and endured

  1. Our CREEDS must be SCRIPTURAL - 2TI. 3:16; RE. 22:18-19      >> Our source is ALL the Bible and ONLY the Bible 2. Our CONDUCT must be SANCTIFIED - separated from sin and unto Christ      >> Christian holiness - EP. 5:3 - "...not...even a hint of sexual immorality..."            1CO. 6:9; RO. 13:13; GA. 5:19 - premarital sex, adultery, homosexuality               MT. 5:28; 1JN. 2:16 - lust and pornography      >> Christian humility - EP. 5:21 - "Submit to one another...for Christ."

STRONG CORRECTION

• REPENT or face judgment from Jesus!
  "Repent! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them..."

• REPENT and find fullness of joy in Jesus!
  "To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna."

Last Updated: January 28, 2008