TEXT: Revelation 2:12-17

SUBJECT: Exposition of Revelation 1-3 #4: Pergamos

Tonight brings us to the fourth study Revelation, chapters 1-3. The purpose of the Book--you must remember--is not to reveal the antichrist, the beast, or the false prophet, but Jesus Christ as Protector of His Church and Ruler of the Nations. It was written, moreover, not to describe the end of the Twentieth Century, but "those things which must shortly come to pass". Finally, Revelation is not meant to scare God's people--as it often does in the hands of bad interpreters--but to comfort them in all of their trials. If we can glean this much from the Book, we have done quite well.

Chapters 2 and 3 contain messages to "the Seven Churches of Asia". They were written by John and passed along by "the messengers of the church", but come from Jesus Christ Himself. Thus, we would do well to listen...carefully.

The third message is addressed to "the church in Pergamos" (or, as some versions have it, "Pergamum"). It doesn't really matter, as the two names refer to the same place. Located about 15 miles inland from the Aegean Sea, the city was devoted to Asclepias, "the god of health" (it is the snake seen on medical documents, and so on). Caesar-worship was practiced there, too. Thus, it was a unlikely place for a Christian Church. "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound". A church was gathered there, and survived its hostility to the Gospel.

The message opens with our Lord describing Himself as "He who has the sharp, two-edged sword". This is a symbol well-known in the First Century; it was on Roman insignia everywhere. What does it signify? Judicial authority. Thus, Paul says of the Roman government and its right to punish criminals, "it does not bear the sword in vain". Hence, the Lord is not offering friendly advice, but issuing a royal decree; one that must be obeyed on the pain of death. It is good to keep this in mind: Jesus Christ loves the church--make no mistake about that--but He also judges it. The believers of Pergamos learned in their day, "Judgment must begin with the house of God".

Having now awed them with His justice, Jesus offers a word of praise. "I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to my Name, and did not deny my faith even in the days in which Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was killed among you where Satan dwells".

They "held fast" to His name. The word is in the present tense and active voice. Thus they "kept on holding fast". It carries with it the idea of tenacity and endurance. It would have been easy for them to quit the Savior--but they had not.

They also "did not deny (His) faith". The "faith" of which Christ speaks is not "the act of believing", but its content, true doctrine. They had not compromised with the idolatry of Pergamos. When (evidently) urged to say "Caesar is Lord", one man, Antipas, preferred death. And it seems that the church agreed with him. Better to die than to ascribe Lordship to anyone but Christ. They were, therefore, a firm people, settled in "the truth as it is in Jesus Christ".

Their's was a tested faith. For Pergamos was the center of Satanic malice. It was there that "Satan's throne" may be found. He seemed to rule without opposition in that city; his slaves served their master eagerly.

The church is far-from-perfect. But Jesus Christ recognizes and commends its good works.

This speaks to the "perfectionists" who occasionally come our way. Some Christians will not tolerate "indwelling sin" in the church. Thus, they overlook the good, magnify the bad, and justify themselves for joining no church. Their standards are higher than Jesus Christ's. A man once came to this church for several months. He told me that he had been to churches up and down the west coast and our's was the best. But he couldn't join because "the pastor is overweight". And so, he preferred no church to an imperfect one. I give thanks that Christ thinks otherwise. He still "walks among the candle sticks"--be they ever so flawed.

The Lord praises the men of Pergamos, but must criticize them, too. "Nevertheless, I have a few things against you..." Some members were affected by "the doctrine of Balaam" and "the doctrine of the Nicolaitans". What are these? It seems to me that they are not "doctrines" in the usual sense of the word. For if they were, I can't see how the church could be praised for "holding fast to His name" and for "not denying His faith". Thus, I don't think of them as formal propositions, like "Jesus is not God" or "The Bible is not true". Rather, I see them as more practical in nature. Something like this: "a permissive spirit" or "an unconcern for daily godliness". This agrees with the example of Balaam, who could not deny the proposition "Israel is blessed"; but did subvert it by immorality. You can read his story in Numbers 22-24.

Thus the doctrine they received was true, but remained abstract. It did not lead to holiness of life.

Christ then offers the remedy. The only remedy. It is not "discuss it"; or "get up a support group"; or "hold a seminar"; but "repent". This means "to change the mind". He is urging them to begin "abhorring that which is evil and cleaving to that which is good". Not only in doctrine, but in practice.

This counsel is needed in every age. For knowledge often "puffs up". When we know more than others, we begin to think that it exempts us from ordinary Christian duties. As long as I can expound the TULIP, I don't have to treat my wife with respect. So long as you can define "the hypostatic union", you can be lazy at work. If only we know of the sovereignty of God in salvation, we can excuse ourselves from evangelism.

But knowledge does not exempt us from duty. Quite the opposite: "To whom much is given, much will be required". Our doctrine, therefore must translate into Christian living at church, in the home, at work, and in the neighborhood. When it does not, "that man's religion is vain".

This exhortation is good for us. But the Lord doesn't close with it. He adds a pair of incentives. The first in negative: "Repent, or else I will come to you quickly, and I will fight against them with the sword of my mouth". Chastening awaits the believer whose "doctrine is not according to godliness".

Positively, for those who "overcome", two things will be done for them. First, they will be welcomed to "the hidden manna". This signifies communion with God. Secondly, they will be given "a white stone, with a new name written on it which no one knows except him who receives it". This has puzzled the commentators--and preachers, too. But it seems to me that the key word is not "white stone", but "name". For the former is only the medium of the latter. But what is this secret name? I take it as a "nickname" used only in the family. Thus, it signifies intimacy.

The people who turn their good doctrine into practice will enjoy the closest communion with their Savior. This is an ample reward.

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches".