Revelation 2 – The Church at Pergamos
As we continue in our study of the book of Revelation, I’d like to take just a moment to review again why we study prophecy.
(1 Thessalonians 5:20 NKJV) "Do not despise prophecies.
(2 Pet 1:19-21 NKJV) And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; {20} knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, {21} for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Other Scriptures Showing the Value of Prophecy
(Amos 3:7 NKJV) Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
(Rev 2:12 NKJV) "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
For each church, Jesus describes Himself with part of the description of Chapter 1.
(Rev 1:16) He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword,
Why the sword? It’s a warning! Persecution often cleanses the church, but Pergamos was an exception as we will notice in verse 14.
(Rev 2:13 NKJV) "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.
1,900 years later, no one speaks with much certainty about “Satan’s throne.” One thing we do know. Christ wanted them to know that He knew what they had to contend with.
(Rev 2:14 NKJV) "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.
(Num 24:25 NKJV) So Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place; Balak also went his way.
(Num 25:1-2 NKJV) Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. {2} They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.
Balaam who started out for God in his relationship with Balak, finally gave in by telling how to get God to curse His people.
Rev 2:15 "Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
The Thus seems to imply that the teaching of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans are the same thing; namely, teaching immorality to God’s people. Last time, we noted this comment:
“These were, as is commonly supposed, a sect of the Gnostics, [part of the teaching of the Gnostics was that what one did with his body was unrelated to his spiritual life. As a result,] (they) taught the most impure doctrines, and followed the most impure practices. They are also supposed to have derived their origin from Nicolas, one of the seven deacons mentioned Act_6:5. The Nicolaitanes taught the community of wives, that adultery and fornication were things indifferent, that eating meats offered to idols was quite lawful; and mixed several pagan rites with the Christian ceremonies.” -- Adam Clarke
As you can clearly see, these were not minor differences from what Christ taught.
{16} 'Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
Sometimes the Justice of God gets overlooked!
{17} "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. . .”
The lessons are for everyone with ears to hear.
“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."'
“hidden manna to eat.” Bread: The bread of life.
I will give him a white stone, The stone of aquital!
“and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."
Jesus loves to do that! And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone). (John 1:42 NKJV)
(Mark 3:17 NKJV) James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder";
John came to be known as the apostle whom Jesus loved. He changed!
What will your name be? What will my name be? We have no idea.
which no one knows except him who receives it." – why? I take it that it may be a very personal special name that Jesus will give to each one of us. In the United States, your Social Security Number is your main identification. With Christ, you will have a name – a special name.
(Rev 2:18 NKJV) "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
(Rev 1:14-15 NKJV) . . . His eyes like a flame of fire; {15} His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, . . .
Why the flame of fire? It’s a warning!
Why the feet as if refined in a furnace?
It emphasizes the warning. What’s the problem?
(Rev 2:19 NKJV) "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience [perseverance]; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
Sounds like a great report if we could just stop here, but the report goes on:
(Rev 2:20 NKJV) "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
It sounds like the next verse of the same song!
(Rev 2:21 NKJV) "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
We need to understand God’s mercy. He is merciful in that He gives us time to repent, but He expects us to repent: to change!
(Rev 2:22-23 NKJV) "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. {23} "I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
(Rev 2:24-26 NKJV) "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. {25} "But hold fast what you have till I come.
(Rev 2:26-27 NKJV) "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power [future: yet to be realized] over the nations; {27} 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'; as I also have received from My Father; {28}and I will give him the morning star.
(Psa 2:7-10 NKJV) "I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. {8} Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. {9} You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.'" {10} Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. {11} Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
(Rev 2:29 NKJV) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'
The conclusion is always the same: Listen!
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