Date: 2025-03-14

AO: 3rd-f

Q: Bishop

PAX: Schnitzel, Web, Yogi (Florence), Mr Rogers, Bionic, Sharpie, Bishop

FNGs: None

COUNT: 7

Revelation 2:12-17

Pergamum – literally citadel. 1000 ft. hill surrounded on 3 sides by a valley and on the 4th, a mountains and rivers. Some referred to it as the chief city of Asia, known for being beautiful. On top of the hill was the center of wealth, entertainment, etc. As you move further away from the center, you had less and less.

Example: Seattle: Issaquah, Issaquah Highlands, The Plateau

The governor of this city was given the “right to the sword.” He could declare a death sentence, bypassing all the legal steps that may have been normally allowed. Jesus’ designation as the one who has the sharp, double-edged sword is a reminder that He is actually the one in control.

1. Seat of Satan – most likely a reference to all the worship of other gods that took place on the hill itself. This was one of the key issues in the city, that to be involved in this city, you had to be around and close to sinful idolatry.

“Yet you remain true to my name.” Some had been faithful, such as Antipas. With the power of the sword in the hands of the governor, many had been martyred, as they could bypass the normal process. Jesus commends them for this, even giving Antipas a name that Christ himself bears: Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:15).

1. But… (vs. 14-15)

“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you…”

You never want to hear this. (Wife, Doctor, etc.)

2 things: 1) Teaching of Balaam 2) Teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Balaam: Balak was a Moabite king was afraid of the Israelites as they were coming his way, detailed in the book of Numbers.

He hires Balaam to curse the Israelites, but 7 times through Numbers 22-24 he blesses the Israelites. But Balaam found a different way…

***Numbers 25. Numbers 31:16***

Nothing external could defeat the Israelites because God was with them. No army was going to stand in their way, no city could stop them. But Balaam knew that if you get into their personal lives, if you get into their sex lives, well then you have a great chance.

Balaam knew that if the protection of God was lifted, they could be beaten. God later puts Balaam to death for this (Numbers 31:8), but the damage had been done.

We may be pretty good about fighting sin when it comes at us looking like a threat, but how do we do when sin looks like a friend? The foothold is set.

James 1:15 – Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

The teaching of Balaam is Personal Corruption, and often it starts off as something “small” to us at least, that impacts us over time.

Pergamum had the largest aqueduct in Rome to pump water up 1,000 feet. This fed the high hills of Pergamum, the place of the high life, with water. But that water was sent up a large, lead pipe. The thing they thought was giving them life was slowly killing them and they probably even knew it!

But lead also was known to be dangerous and, for that reason, pipes made of clay were preferred—as Vitruvius, who wrote during the time of Augustus, explains.

“Water conducted through earthen pipes is more wholesome than that through lead; indeed that conveyed in lead must be injurious, because from it white lead [PbCO3, lead carbonate] is obtained, and this is said to be injurious to the human system. Hence, if what is generated from it is pernicious, there can be no doubt that itself cannot be a wholesome body. This may be verified by observing the workers in lead, who are of a pallid colour; for in casting lead, the fumes from it fixing on the different members, and daily burning them, destroy the vigour of the blood; water should therefore on no account be conducted in leaden pipes if we are desirous that it should be wholesome. That the flavour of that conveyed in earthen pipes is better, is shewn at our daily meals, for all those whose tables are furnished with silver vessels, nevertheless use those made of earth, from the purity of the flavour being preserved in them” (VIII.6.10-11).

“Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.” – Jon Owen

This thing they were going to for life was killing them. Could that be true of us today as well?

Nicolaitans: Culturally, this influence was likely about Gnosticism. This taught that there was a separation of spirit and body to the point that one could not really impact the other. Do whatever you want with your body, and it won’t impact your spirit. Thus, they did not see participating in the things happening at these parties and temp

1 Corinthians 9

This teaching led to public compromise.

Consider how we are pushed to conform on culture, on gender roles, on politics. Has culture rubbed us so smooth that we are offensive to no one? Do we stand out at all?

Where have we allowed ourselves to be so compromised that we look no different than the world, regardless of Christ’s teaching.

Conclusion (vs. 16-17)

REPENT!

2 Motivations:

1. If you don’t, I’m coming to wage war on you.

2. Hidden manna and the white stone.

Review of manna.

“hidden manna” – Deut. 8:1-5 – Man doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. GOD will provide. You don’t need to other things for life, look to me.

“white stone” – Could be two meanings. 1) A white stone of invitation, a ticket to get into the big party/celebration after a key event. (Roman tradition) 2) White stones are also cast as a vote of innocence in Roman courts, with Black stones being used to declare guilt or condemnation. God’s message here: I will declare you innocent, and you are invited to join me.

*****YOU TOO HAVE A CHOICE*****

To the one who repents, these are the gifts.

THE SOLUTION:

****ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONFESSION****

Confess: Confess to God, and confess to one another. Find someone to be accountable to.

If you are not willing to do these two things, one of these two things has happened:

1) You don’t believe the consequences of your sins are real

2) You trust yourself to be faithful enough to withstand it

Example of Brian Edwards

Screwtape Letters: Don’t act, just think…