Today, we will pick up where we left off, in Revelation 2:12-17, Christs message to the church at Pergamum. 12 Write this to Pergamum, to the Angel of the church. The One with the sharp-biting sword draws from the sheath of his mouth—out come the sword words: 13 “I see where you live, right under the shadow of Satan’s throne. But you continue boldly in my Name; you never once denied my Name, even when the pressure was worst, when they martyred Antipas, my witness who stayed faithful to me on Satan’s turf. 14-15 “But why do you indulge that Balaam crowd? Don’t you remember that Balaam was an enemy agent, seducing Balak and sabotaging Israel’s holy pilgrimage by throwing unholy parties? And why do you put up with the Nicolaitans, who do the same thing? 16 “Enough! Don’t give in to them; I’ll be with you soon. I’m fed up and about to cut them to pieces with my sword-sharp words. 17 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I’ll give the sacred manna to every conqueror; I’ll also give a clear, smooth stone inscribed with your new name, your secret new name.” Christ encourages these believers and assures them that their particular trials have not gone unnoticed. He says they are living in the shadow of Satans throne. What is left of this city is located in Turkey and was once one of the most influential cities of the Roman Empire. The people of Pergamum were innovators and inventors. They were dedicated to the arts and had the largest library of the time. These people were known as the temple Keepers of Asia. Satan was completely at home there. The Roman Emperor, the goddess Athena, and the god Zeuss were worshiped there. The Greek god of healing, a serpent god named Asklepios, was also worshiped there. The healers there claimed that this serpent god would speak to them in dreams and that is how they arrived at their diagnosis. In the book of Revelation, Jesus called Antipas my faithful martyr. He was the bishop of Pergamum, ordained by the Apostle John, and his faith got the attention of the priests of Asklepios. “He had cast out so many devils that the demons had been complaining to pagans, saying, ‘You’ve got to do something about this Antipas’,” says Renner. The pagan priests went to the Roman governor and complained that the prayers of Antipas were driving their spirits out of the city and hindering the worship of their gods. As punishment, the governor ordered Antipas to offer a sacrifice of wine and incense to a statue of the Roman emperor and declare that the emperor was lord and god. Antipas refused, of course. “If you reject the divinity of the emperor, then that is the equivalent of rejecting the city of Rome,” says Renner, “and believers were killed for this.” Antipas was sentenced to death on the Altar of Zeus. Most of that altar still survives today, and surrounding it are some of the worlds most famous marble friezes. They depict the Gigantomachy, or the battle between the Greek gods and the giants. At the top of the altar was a hollow bronze bull, designed for human sacrifice. Renner describes the method of execution suffered by Antipas. “They would take the victim, place him inside the 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. You will remember, in Numbers 22-23, the story of Balaam and his donkey. He was an Old Testament a Mesopotamian diviner who, when summoned to curse the Israelites, prophesied future glories for them instead, after being reproached by his ass. (I was always fascinated by this story as a child because the donkey talked to Balaam.) For the second time, Christ mentions the Nicolations as being people He did not approve of. They followed the teachings of Nicolas. History in Acts 6:5, tells us that this Nicolas was a proselyte of Antioch. The fact that he was a proselyte tells us that he was not born a Jew but had converted from paganism to Judaism. Then he experienced a second conversion, this time turning from Judaism to Christianity. From this information, we know these facts about Nicolas of Antioch: - He came from paganism and had deep pagan roots, very much unlike the other six deacons who came from a pure Hebrew line. Nicolas pagan background meant that he had previously been immersed in the activities of the occult. - He was not afraid of taking an opposing position, evidenced by his ability to change religions twice. Converting to Judaism would have estranged him from his pagan family and friends. It would seem to indicate that he was not impressed or concerned about the opinions of other people. - He was a free thinker and very open to embracing new ideas and concepts. Judaism was very different from the pagan and occult world in which he had been raised. For him to shift from paganism to Judaism reveals that he was very liberal in his thinking, for most pagans were offended by Judaism. He was obviously not afraid to entertain or embrace new ways of thinking. - When he converted to Christ, it was at least the second time he had converted from one religion to another. We dont know if, or how many times, he shifted from one form of paganism to another before he became a Jewish proselyte. His ability to easily change religious hats implies that he was not afraid to switch direction in midstream and go a totally different direction. According to the writings of the Early Church leaders, Nicolas taught a doctrine of compromise, implying that total separation between Christianity and the practice of occult paganism was not essential. From Early Church records, it seems apparent that this Nicolas of Antioch was so immersed in occultism, Judaism, and Christianity that he had a stomach for all of it. He had no problem intermingling these belief systems in various concoctions and saw no reason why believers couldnt continue to fellowship with those still immersed in the black magic of the Roman empire and its countless mystery cults. Occultism was a major force that warred against the Early Church. In Ephesus, the primary pagan religion was the worship of Diana (Artemis). There were many other forms of idolatry in Ephesus, but this was the primary object of occult worship in that city. In the city of Pergamos, there were numerous dark and sinister forms of occultism, causing Pergamos to be one of the most wicked cities in the history of the ancient world. In both of these cities, believers were lambasted and persecuted fiercely by adherents of pagan religions, forced to contend with paganism on a level far beyond all other cities. Paganism was especially offensive to God. God called any dabbling in the occult an Abomination. You can refer back to our study of Deuteronomy on October 29th to understand this more fully. God does not play and when He calls something an Abomination before Him, we, as Christians, had better sit up and pay attention. Obviously, Christ was reminding the church at Pergamum that they were treading on dangerous ground by even tolerating these people. Christ, in His Holiness, would view those persons as a cancer which could infect His church at Pergamum. He is warning them that they were to divorce themselves from those who were like Balaam and the Nicolatians. In fact, He tells the church He is fed up with their behavior and about to cut them up with His sharp words. When Christ is done with you, you have obviously grieved the Holy Spirit and that, is the one sin He will NOT forgive. He finishes His discourse by telling them that the rewards of the conquerers are his sacred manna and a smooth stone with their new and secret names written on them. We know that the Israelites were sustained by Manna during their wanderings in the desert. Christ, however, uses the word in another context in this passage. This “Hidden manna” refers to that which sustains and strengthens us as Christians in our faith. By faith disciples can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. The persecution of the church at Pergamum had been great. One of the members of that body had been executed. But even in the most peaceful of times, there is a danger of becoming complacent and surrendering. People deny the Lord sometimes under threat, but at other times just through neglect. We need Gods manna to sustain us in the wilderness of this world as we journey toward our spiritual promised land. If we supply the faith, God will supply our strength. Jesus is our “bread of life” (John 6:47-51). Jesus and the things he provides is to the spirit what physical bread is to the body. It fills the emptiness and satisfies deep human longings. It instills confidence and hope. Jesus refers to eating his flesh and drinking his blood - not literally, but figuratively through receiving His word and example into our hearts. Going through the motions wont do it. (John 6:52-58). One must fully receive Jesus. Some think life can be successful without this part. It cant. Many pampered bodies are home to starving souls. How blessed is one who realizes their souls need for this bread, for that is necessary to be filled (Matthew 5:6). “Filled” - “Strengthened” - “Hope” - “Purpose” - “Confidence” - “Endurance” are some of the results of receiving this hidden manna (Philippians 4:11-13; Ephesians 3:16; 6:10). The smooth stones Christ referred to in this translation are referred to in others as White Stones. White stones were used for several things in the ancient world. With what would have these disciples at Pergamum have associated with a “white stone” as promised them by Jesus if they overcome? The word means a small pebble, so that helps. In ancient courts, the accused were acquitted or condemned by vote of a jury, council or panel. The voting member would cast a white pebble for “acquittal” or a black pebble for “guilty”. Members of tribunals condemning Christians would have cast “black stones” against them. At Pergamum, evidently black stones had been cast when judging Antipas. He was put to death. But Jesus says, “I will give one who overcomes a “white stone”; that is, He declares such a one as vindicated, pure and guiltless. It does not matter if the world condemns you if the one who has the keys of death sets you free! When facing ridicule or worse, remember that. The Lord will give you vindication and victory if you overcome by faith! (Revelation 1:18; Romans 8:31-34; 38-39; Hebrews 7:25: 10:38-39). Christ then promises that they will be given a new and secret name. The promise of being given “a new name” probably refers to the new status one who has been born of God and has overcome. Lots of things are said to be “new”… there is a “new heavens and earth” where the redeemed sing “a new song” as “new creatures” who are walking in “newness of life”. Exalted with Christ in eternity will bring wonderful changes. And now, by faith, we glimpse glories to come in our joy and confidence as faithful Christians. We are sustained with manna now, but look forward to the “land flowing with milk and honey” .And it is true that no one can know you but you. Right now, you either know what I am talking about - or you dont. You know Jesus, or you do not. You understand the joys of discipleship, or you do not. No one on this earth knows you but you. Overcoming by faith means being steadfast, diligent and dedicated. (1 John 5:3,4). It is to those who overcome that Jesus promises access to the tree of life and that the second death will not hurt them. He also promises hidden manna and a white stone. What wonderful hope these things symbolize. Christ expects obedience from us. He expects us to follow His teachings, not only to give them lip service, but to go out into the world and actually do what He did. The power to do that came on the Day of Pentecost when he sent His Holy Spirit, also known as The Comforter to be with us and dwell within us to help us endure the trials of life and become more than conquerers through Him. Although we pay a price for obedience, some have paid with their lives, as Antipas did, we are promised great rewards. Today, most people have a problem with delayed gratification. That is what Christ expects of us....He wants us to tame our natural man and feed the Spiritual man until He returns for us. At that time, there will be no end to the rewards and blessings we will receive in Christ, Jesus. I know todays lesson has been lengthy, but stay with us. There are exciting things ahead for us as we delve into what awaits us. Maranatha! Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 17:04:51 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015