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“Repent Or Else!” • 7.5.20 • Calvary
Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- We have examined two of the seven church
letters from the book of Revelation and one theme has persisted: Each church
was existing under a certain level of persecution.
- The Ephesians seem to have been threatened
and were perhaps coming out of an intense trial. Smyrna, as you recall from
last week, was about to go into a trial that would last 10 days.
- Both churches were commended. Ephesus was
corrected, while Smyrna was comforted. As we come to the third church, we'll
find yet a third response to persecution. Verse 12.
Text
• Revelation
2:12 : "And
to the angel of the church in Pergamos write," : Pergamos or Pergamum, exists in ruins near "Bergama"
and is another 35 miles north from Smyrna.
- It is the 3rd stop on a fairly well known
mail route that began in Ephesus and concluded in Philadelphia. It is the
northernmost point on the route and the capital city of this region.
- It is favorably located, about 20 miles from
the Aegean sea and just a few miles away from the Caicus river.
- In it's earlier days, Pergamos was a Greek
city ruled by the Attalid dynasty. Historically, when the Greeks and Romans
were fighting with one another, the Attalian rulers sided with Rome.
- As the Roman empire grew, it's influence
within and throughout Pergamos grew along with it.
- Aside from their political life, Pergamos was
also a place of culture and learning. It's library boasted a collection of over
200,000 works, second only to that in the library of Alexandria Egypt!
- You may not think much of that, but remember
that each of these volumes was hand copied!
- The famous Roman General, Marc Antony was so
taken by this library that he offered it's collection to Cleopatra as a wedding
gift! Politics, learning and culture.
- Pergamos was home to one of the steepest
theatres in the ancient world! It is built on the side of a promontory and is
quite intimidating to look down from if you have any fear of heights!
- It was said that the acoustics were engineered
to a degree that you could hear a whisper from the stage to the final seat in
the house. Pergamos excelled in one final area: Paganism!
- Like Smyrna, the city was host to various
pagan temples to the usual suspects: Zeus, Athene and Apollo. These temples
each had their own priests and priestesses, who were more prostitutes.
- Some of the practices that you will hear of
in connection to their paganistic worship were incredibly vile and were nearly
the norm in the Roman Empire.
- Pergamos had distinguished themselves in
favoring pagan worship to such a degree that they were called the "Temple
Keepers" of Asia!
- Their loyalty and fervor toward these
institutions made them a model city in this regard.
- There was one Greek god however, that we
haven't talked much about, which also had a temple within the city limits of
Pergamos.
- The
temple of Aesculapius, also known as "Hepias," the god of medicine,
figures prominently in this city's history. The worship of this god was devoted
to the healing aspect of medicine.
- This god was thought to be the son of Apollo
and had five daughters: "Hygiea," "Iaso,"
"Aceso," "Aegle" and "Panacea." All of them were
goddesses of some aspect of good health.
- When
you looked at the figure of Aesculapius, you saw a well built middle aged man, standing next
to a snake wrapped around a walking staff! This was the church's home.
- They
were surrounded by a political, paganistic culture of supposed higher learning.
For a church to exist here at all is a testimony to the power of God's Spirit
and His desire to reach men.
- To
exist well, to remain faithful in the eyes of the Lord is another story all together!
Verse 12.
• Revelation
2:12 : "These
things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:" : Jesus wants the church of Pergamos to see Him as the One in
possession of THE sharp two-edged sword. The picture, as we learned from
chapter one, comes from the world of war.
- This particular sword isn't the short sword
that one might use in hand to hand combat or that a field medic might use for
fine surgical procedures.
- This sword was somewhere between four and six
feet long and was held on the back of a warrior. It had a singular use: Cut
your opponent in half!
- The double edge pointed to it's efficiency,
lasting for a great period of time before losing it's edge! Imagine seeing this
vision, as Jesus entered into your sanctuary proverbially, sword in hand!
- It was a powerful vision to say the least, as
the government in Pergamos had the power to wield the sword for capital
punishment, but the Lord's sword was far more threatening!
- Matthew
10:28 always comes to mind when I think of the Lord's sword.
• Matthew 10:28 : "And do not fear
those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to
destroy both soul and body in hell."
- The sharp two-edged sword represents His own
Word! That is the what Jesus is leading with as He addresses this church. He is
wielding an unweilding weapon. Verse 13.
• Revelation
2:13 : "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." : For the third time, the Lord acknowledges His church's works.
He knows everything that they did, both regarding action and motive. He knows
their works and their context.
- He measures what they have done against where
they have done it. The church worked against a tremendous disadvantage. They
ministered where Satan's throne was!
- A throne infers a comfortable seat from which
to exert power and authority. Pergamos was a city that Satan had a healthy
foothold to operate in! This city was Satan's home!
- What was Jesus specifically referring to?
Some scholars believe that the throne of Satan was actually the altar of Zeus,
which figured prominently in the Pergamum landscape.
- It
certainly played a part, but the ceremonies that were conducted at the Temple
of Aesculapius were downright weird and if not Satanic, certainly very similar in
nature.
- The "Asklepion" was a healing
center, similar to what we might think of today as a health resort. It was built
upon a "sacred spring" that is active to this day.
- It had an enduring reputation for being one
of the greatest healing centers in the world both of the body and the mind, as it
was the first in that part of the world to practice psychiatry.
- The
myth that powered the perception of this place was that Aesculapius was raised from the
dead by Zeus and this is why he took the form of a serpent.
- A serpent sheds it's skin, which was the
inspiration for considering it a regenerative symbol.
- In fact, this is why the Asklepion forbade
any terminal patients from receiving treatment. It wanted to keep up
appearances and couldn't have people dying on them!
- The motto that stood over the entrance to the
Asklepion read "Death is not permitted here!"
- The patients that did come in were
"treated" to a very bizarre set of experiences. They were led down a
tunnel to underground dorms where they were "sedated."
-
Since Aesculapius was represented by a serpent, it seemed fitting to
allow non-poisonous snakes to writhe all over the drowsy patients as they slept.
- Sometime during the night, if a serpent
crawled over you, it was said that a vision or dream would follow, which would
then be told to the Priest the following morning to arrive at diagnosis.
- As a
final act in this maniacal charade, the patients made clay facsimiles of their
ailing body parts and offered them as a sacrifice to Aesculapius.
- Is it any wonder that Pergamos played host to
Satan's throne!? Their minds were trained to be open to believe and receive
anything or anyone!
- I know that many pushback against this
concept, but the drugs and subsequent hallucineginic state that was produced,
opened their minds and hearts to much more than they bargained for.
- This kind of administration, coupled with the
pagan backdrop, opened minds and hearts to outright demonic possession. This is
what the church had to fight against.
- The church was holding on with all of their
might to the Name of Jesus and they had not disavowed themselves. They certainly
had an excuse, but they didn't falter.
- God had placed them there and they were going
to be faithful to minister for Him.
- The Lord references one man that stood out,
His faithful martyr. Interestingly, Jesus gives him the very same title that He
holds Himself. Jesus is the "Faithful Witness." Same word.
- The word "martyr" classically
referred to a person that was willing to stand up to testify to something as
truth. The Christians added "unto death" by their own example!
- Antipas, whose name means "against
all," had his days. In truth, we all have our "days" to
establish our testimony. What will Jesus say of us? Jesus called Antipas His
faithful witness.
- Remember always that Jesus is not nearly as
impressed with talent, skill or influence, as He is with simple faithfulness!
That is the highest character mark you can ascend to!
- What is the story with this man Antipas?
Antipas was a disciple of the Apostle John and there are those that remark that
he had quite a prolific ministry among the demon possessed.
- According to one article that I read, his
ministry was so successful that the demons complained to the Priests about him!
"He's oppressing us!" It's akin to a "Man bites dog story!
- Would that every demon felt threatened by the
nearest Christian witness! That'd be great!
- It's hard to know exactly what transpired,
but Antipas, again according to this article, became a target that the
government sought to make an example out of.
- The Romans gave him the chance to make amends
by sacrificing at the local Emperor temple and with the sacrifice, to declare
the Emperor "Lord and God." Clearly, Antipas refused.
- The Roman government sentenced the aged
Antipas to death at the Altar of Zeus. Listen to this account of his possible
death.
˚
"They would take the victim, place
him inside the (bronze) bull, and they would tie him in such a way that his
head would go into the head of the bull. Then they would light a huge fire
under the bull, and as the fire heated the bronze, the person inside of the
bull would slowly begin to roast to death. As the victim would begin to moan
and to cry out in pain, his cries would echo through the pipes in the head of
the bull so it seemed to make the bull come alive. Even in the midst of the
flames, the elderly bishop Antipas died praying for his church. The year was AD
92."[i] : He died
praying for the church that he served and the result was that they held fast
during that time, just three or four years prior to the Lord's letter.
-
Unfortunately, that zeal and fire for the Lord's Name did not keep them for
long. In fact, His death may have been the incident that led them down a
different path. Verse 14.
•
Revelation 2:14,15 : "But I
have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine
of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling
block before the children of Israel, to eat
things sacrificed to idols, and to
commit sexual immorality. Thus you
also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate." : Jesus told
the Ephesian church that He had a single item against them. He had nothing
against Smyrna. Jesus has a few things against this church.
-
Much of what the Lord has against them stems from their tolerance of those
within the church who held to the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaiatans.
This wasn't adopted officially by all.
-
There were "those" who held to this doctrine within the fellowship.
There was enough influence to create a leaven that Jesus found offensive.
-
He expects His church to be free from these doctrines. He rightly wants their
house cleaned!
-
Some held to the "doctrine of Balaam." When you read Numbers 22-25 this afternoon, you'll
immediately be reminded of what a duplicitous character Baalam is.
-
On the surface, he sounds incredibly sincere and hesitant to step out of line
with God's desire for him, yet, you'll keep finding him with God's enemies! His
crime isn't immediately apparent.
-
Thankfully, the Bible is the best commentary on the Bible and in the case of
Balaam, the Bible speaks clearly about him.
-
II Peter 2:15 says that Balaam loved
the wages of unrighteousness. Jude 11
speaks of other false prophets running in the error of Balaam for profit.
-
Balaam wasn't going to make money cursing the children of Israel. God wouldn't
let Him. But, he could make money teaching the King of Moab how they could
curse themselves!
-
The doctrine of Balaam then relates to compromise. He taught Balak to
compromise the people of Israel by inviting them to participate in their
country's "worship."
-
In their case, this led some of the people of the church to toe the line
between a relationship to God and a relationship with the world. They would
have asked questions that we hear today.
-
"How close do I have to be" or "How far can I go" are
indicative of a desire for compromise.
-
Their doctrine was to pay lipservice to Christian fidelity, while at the same
time seeking to appease worldly desire. Look at how the "doctrine of
Balaam" played out. Look at his teaching!
-
Balaam instructed Balak, the man who hired him to curse Israel, how to
scandalize, or trap the nation of Israel!
-
The King of Moab wanted to send out his men to fight against Israel. Balaam
told him to send out his women instead and the pornographic events that took place
staggered the nation of Israel!
-
Somehow, the church of Pergamos tolerated men who sought to live to please God
and please the world! Why not!? In the end, they could die like Antipas, but
they wanted to live as well!
-
Like the people of Israel, they could also give in to sexual immorality and
idolatry! It was a part of Roman culture to hang at idol barbecues and engage
in overt sexual behavior.
-
They could hang out at idol barbecues, involve themselves in sin and then, go
hang out with Jesus the following day!
-
These people taught men to believe the right things about God, but not to be so
holy as to raise concerns in the world. What a perfect ploy in a political
capital! And that wasn't all!
-
Pergamos was also willing to have a group of leaders lord themselves over them
in the Nicolaitans. What a great way to emulate the world around them!
-
The word, as we mentioned when we studied the letter to the church of Ephesus,
speaks of conquering the people, ie., establishing some form of spiritual
hierarchy and representation.
-
They became attracted to the ideas of having a group of people get between them
and their Lord, a Priesthood if you will! "When relationship dies, religion is born!" Joe Focht
-
God doesn't want anyone between you and Him. Jesus died to bring you back into
fellowship! Why would you need an additional mediator between you and Him?
Jesus is our only Mediator!
-
Jesus had told the church of Ephesus that He hated their works and that He was
glad that they hated them as well. The church of Pergamos held a different
opinion!
-
When that happens, someone will have to change and it won't be the Lord! Verse 16.
•
Revelation 2:16 : "Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth." : Jesus doesn't offer the church of Pergamos any options, save
the one that was necessary. He commands them to enact repentance immediately.
-
They needed to think differently about the people that held influence in their
congregation, who taught or modeled inconsistent behavior patterns against
known scriptural principles.
-
They were not allowed to tolerate unholiness, unrighteousness or rebellion! That
thinking had to lead quickly to resolution.
-
Repentance isn't repentance when one acknowledges a fact. "I know what you
are saying." That isn't repentance.
-
Repentance occurs when a fact is acknowledged and actions are present to
reverse what has taken place, regardless of the consequences.
-
In this case, leaders who were not compliant with the Lord's Word were to be
removed. The teachings that had been given place were to be corrected.
-
In our context, if it was known that a person among us sought to maintain a
life of sin without any desire to repent, they would be immediately removed for
church discipline.
-
That was what the Lord required of His people at this moment, but it was not
what He would make them do. Notice that they could repent and do what God said
on their own.
-
This is what laymen call "the easy way!" The best and most joyous way
to live as a Christian is to note our failures and immediately run toward
complicity to God's Word!
-
If that is true on the individual level, it is that much more important for a
church that has begun to embrace or tolerate foolishness from it's pulpit and
leadership!
-
The word "repent" represents the easy way, though, as we all know, it
is never that easy! There are emotional attachments and behavioral patterns
that have been set in place.
-
Change requires energy and is never as attractive as what we have gotten
"used to!" Yet, it remains true that once a person recognizes what
God requires, it's best to conform immediately.
-
"Why?" Please take note of the next two words: "Or else!"
The Lord will have us conform, cooperate and consign ourselves to His will or He
will effect change on our behalf!
-
The Lord's way, if His people will not cooperate, will be far more sweeping and
abrupt. He will come "quickly," the same word for acceleration that
we've seen throughout this book.
-
He will expedite the process and will personally fight against those that have
embraced these doctrines. How will He fight? With the sword of His mouth, the
Word of God!
-
The word "fight" comes from our word "polemic" which refers
to a strongly worded written attack. Jesus will not need to physically lay
hands upon these people or employ another weapon.
-
He would bring forth the Word in clarity and the Word would fight against the
problem until it was vanquished. Verse 17.
•
Revelation 2:17 : "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 to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the
stone a new name written which no one knows except
him who receives it.’" : Once again, are you hearing
what the Spirit is saying? This is an open invitation to all that hear this
material.
-
God will not share your heart. He will not allow compromise to remain in your
hearts! Whatever source may infect you, it'd be best to walk away from before
He pulls it from you!
-
For those that conquer this area, who refuse to seek the world's approval by
their compromising ways, the Lord promises to give His people hidden manna to
eat.
-
Manna was what the Lord fed the nation of Israel with while they were in the
wilderness. It was a provision which came to them when they knew they had no
other resource!
-
It is hidden because it only belongs to those that He shares it with. He alone
has access to the stores of it! What is the idea behind this?
-
Some of the people from the church had gotten used to being accepted by their
pagan friends. They were often at the barbecues and the luncheons because their
witness was powerless.
-
When they repented, there wouldn't be the lavish banquets or wonderful
barbecues to attend.
-
Yet, a plate of angel's food would be waiting for them as would a "white
stone!" There are many theories regarding the significance of the white
stone.
-
A "white" or "dazzling brilliant" smooth stone would be
used in the legal world to declare innocence. It was thought to be the
equivalent of a "golden ticket" invitation to high society.
-
The Roman government would give this to their champion athletes, who would use
this to get into special awards banquet. Since it is not clear, it's possible
that each of these have application.
-
Those that repent of their compromise are innocent before the Lord. They are
accepted in the heavenlies, beloved among the beloved and the rewards are true
tokens of God's unending grace!
-
Whatever the case may be, the world's rejection of a person on the basis of
their faithfulness to Jesus will never be greater than the Lord's reception
that is waiting for His obedient child!
-
The part that is a bit more challenging is the new name that is written upon
the stone that none knows except for the recipient. The word for
"new" speaks of something freshly employed.
-
Could it be that we have a "new name" that we don't know, sort of the
Lord's nickname for us? Perhaps it refers to a fresh designation based on our
obedience. I don't think it's our name.
-
The name doesn't refer to the person, but to the One who has white stones to
give, Jesus Christ! He'll be given a "new name" that the obedient one
will have knowledge of!
-
We hear about it again in Revelation
3:12 and again in Revelation 19:12.
It's a name that I am convinced is written upon His thigh.
•
Revelation 19:16 : "And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING
OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." : You may not please the
Kings of this Earth by swearing allegiance to Jesus, but you will please the
King of those Kings for eternity!
Conclusion
- If Pergamos teaches us anything, it is that holiness and conformity to the Lord's Word is necessary, no matter where or when we live.
- If Pergamos teaches us anything, it is that holiness and conformity to the Lord's Word is necessary, no matter where or when we live.
-
If you are tempted to compromise your beliefs or witness to win, maintain or
curry favor with the world, let the Word speak directly to you, ask for ears to
hear this: "Repent or else!"
-
Whatever you think is loss can never be mentioned against what Jesus promises
that you will gain in Him. Perhaps you could pray something like this:
-
"Lord, give me the grace to value what You value and to see in my heart,
the end of that choice!" May He give us all the grace to do so!
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