Being faithful and true
Text Revelation 2:12-17 Time 18/07/10 Place Childs Hill Baptist Church
We have begun to look at the seven letters to the seven churches found in Revelation 2 and 3. We have looked so far at the first two letters – those to the churches in Ephesus and Smyrna. This evening I would like us to move on to the letter to the church in Pergamum, found in Chapter 2 verses 12-17.
As we have said Smyrna, the church we looked at this morning, is the only one that receives unmixed praise just as it is only the church in Laodicea that receives only condemnation. Pergamum, like Ephesus, receives a mixture of praise and blame.
Incidentally, if you want to remember the seven churches try – Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, try ESP-TSP-L or ESPecially TSPeed Limit.
The order praise and blame wise is -
Mixed, Praised, Mixed/Mixed/Mixed more Blame, Mixed more Praise, Blamed
So verse 12 - To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
Smyrna was 35 miles north of Ephesus and Pergamum (called Bergama today) is another 55 miles north again, still on the western end of what we know today a Turkey. Unlike the first two places it was not on the coast but 15 miles inland and a mile or two from the River Caicus. It has been described as “a strong centre for paganism” and had, we know, a massive altar dedicated to Zeus and a Temple to the goddess Athena. There were also places dedicated to Dionysius and Aesculapius, the so-called saviour god or God of healing. Indeed, Pergamum was the centre for the worship of this god. This led to a medical school being founded there and a regular influx of people seeking healing so that it was like a sort of Lourdes of its day. There was also the Emperor cult which thrived as much here as in Smyrna. Pergamum was a centre for the cult, from the time they had a temple dedicated to the Emperor Augustus – the first provincial temple to be built in honour of a living Emperor.
Once we know these things, it becomes clear why in the letter Christ says that this is where Satan has his throne and where Satan lives. Perhaps throne is a direct reference to the altar to Zeus. The letter is of particular interest to a church like this one, existing also, as it does, where Satan has his throne and where Satan lives. Here we find Hindu temples and Roman Catholic churches. The Neasden Temple was the first purpose built stone temple in Europe. Westminster Cathedral is the chief Roman Catholic building and the Brompton Oratory is world famous. All are filled with idols. Here we also find Sikh Temples and Mosques, as well as so called churches where Christ is actually denied and opposed.
I want to say six things arising from this letter.
1. Consider the character of Christ and the power of his Word
Once gain the letter begins These are the words of ... and again something is picked up from Chapter 1. This time it is These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. Back in 1:16 we read that out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. That may seem rather a strange picture but the Roman short sword was shape a little like the tongue. The reference is really to the power of the truth. Paul writes in Ephesians of the Word of God as the sword of the Spirit. Hebrews 4:12 says that the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Throughout the letter there is an emphasis on truth then and this opening statement reminds us of how central it is. What a powerful thing the truth is. As Jesus said (John 8), If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
2. Consider a New Testament church with some good points. Are they seen in us too?
Next we have that (13) I know where you live - where Satan has his throne. Yet says Jesus you remain true to my name. He says 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. This was the great quality of that church – they remained true to the name of Jesus, despite the opposition.
What Smyrna had tasted and was about to fully experience, they had already experienced and, for the most part, had proved faithful.
In Ephesus they loved the truth. They would not tolerate wicked men and they had tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and ... found them false. However, they had forsaken their first love. In Pergamum, however, they did not simply love the truth, it was Christ's name that they were true to. It was faith in him that they refused to renounce, even if it meant death as was the case for this man Antipas.
We don't know anything else about Antipas but we can imagine what happened. He was called upon to come before a stature of Caesar, to sprinkle incense and to say “Caesar is lord” but he would not say it. Jesus was his Lord not Caesar and although he was happy to give to Caesar what was Caesar's, he was also determined only to give to God what was God's.
What an example to us then is Antipas and these other Pergamumians. Despite all the opposition, they stuck to trusting in Jesus. They remained true to his name. They would not renounce that.
What about us? Is that central for us too? Is faith in Christ at the heart of our lives?
3. Consider the flaws in this church. Are we guilty of similar failings?
Despite these good things that Jesus could say, he has to add (14, 15) 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. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
It would seem that the Nicolaitans are the same people as those who are also described as holding to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin although two different groups may be in mind. The Nicolaitans are mentioned back in verse 6 as a group whose practices the very orthodox Ephesians hated, as did Christ himself. We said then that we don't know anything about these Nicolaitans or who they were, although we can add that the word is probably symbolic as Nicolaitan can be taken to mean victory of the people or destroyer of the people. Balaam we read about in Numbers. He was some sort of prophet and the Moabites wanted him to curse Israel, which he failed to do only blessing them instead. He advised that the Israelites could be undermined nevertheless by sexual enticement, which is what happened. In John's day too there were false teachers who took a very liberal approach to the matters of idolatry and adultery and they were having an influence in Pergamum. Such people are around today.
The thing to note then is that even in a church like Pergamum, where the majority remained true to Christ's name and where people like Antipas would not renounce their faith in Christ yet there were others who held to false teaching. This false teaching involved not only false beliefs but involvement in idolatrous practices and sexual immorality of one sort or another.
The question for us is what about our attitude to such false teaching – are any of us being taken in by it. What great care we must take! If the devil is not rousing the opposition to persecute as in Smyrna then he is endeavouring to undermine Christ's cause with enticements to follow false doctrines. We must resist from wherever he attacks.
4. Consider what those guilty of such sins must do
As for what to do about such sins the message is very simple and straightforward, 16 Repent therefore! There is no other option. Full and immediate repentance – turning round from such sins completely. That must be the response. You cannot toy with false teaching and not get injured. If we have followed false teaching at all, we must repent. If we have taken idolatry or adultery lightly, we must repent.
5. Hear the warning for those who refuse to take such a step
If we do not repent what is threatened against Pergamum applies also to us Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. We are back to the the sword of Christ's mouth. If the people in Pergamum will not hold to the truth then the truth itself will, as it were, turn on them and they will suffer the consequences. To go over to false teaching is to set yourself up in opposition to Christ himself who is the truth. We must not do such a thing, even for a moment. Rather, we must be true to what is true – true to Christ himself, our Lord and Saviour. The gospel can save but it can also destroy – if it is rejected and not believed.
6. Consider the call to hear the Spirit and the promise here for those who overcome
Finally, we have once again those words (17) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches the reminder that these are the words of God the Holy Spirit himself and that they are not only for the faithful in Pergamum but for all God's people – all who have an ear to hear what the Spirit says. The message is a little strange To him who overcomes, the one who goes on being true to Christ's name or if he fails to do so repents to that one Christ promises 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.
We mentioned this morning that originally the ark of the covenant contained a pot of manna. Manna was hidden there. Manna is the bread that came down from heaven to feed the people while they were in the desert. It points ultimately to Christ, the true bread from heaven – the one who came down to this earth to feed us so that we would live forever. The promise is more of himself. That will happen in heaven. What we taste here on earth we will taste more deeply in heaven.
As for the white stone, commentators differ greatly. Given that such stones were used as tickets and that white stones were often sued with black stones to stand for yes and no when important decisions were made, I would guess this point sin one or another to gaining entrance – either a “yes” for “yes you can go into heaven” or a ticket guaranteeing entrance.
The new name written on it is no doubt the name of Christ. When a person is converted it is as if Christ's name is written on their heart so that they know him for themselves.
This is the freedom then that comes from knowing the truth and sticking to it. May we all know it now and forever.
