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Jesus and His Message to the Church at Pergamos
September 27, 2014

Last week we reviewed the message of Jesus to the Church at Smyrna. As the King of Kings, Jesus had a message to share with all of the churches in Revelation. Each message has similar thoughts, and yet each touches different issues. Today we will focus on the second message to the Church at Pergamos.

Revelation 2:12-13
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

The church at Pergamos lived in a city filled with evil; Pergamos is identified as the base of Satan's power and it that makes the city of Pergamos as evil as it could be. Even though a Christian named Antipas was martyred, we may never know if even more Christians were martyred. In all of the evilness that encompassed Pergamos, the church never hid who they were and never gave up on the faith given to them by Jesus.

Revelation 2:14-15
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Even though the church at Pergamos kept the faith of Jesus, some in the church allowed false teachings to enter the church and these false teachings became part of the church. Some in the church held the doctrines of Balaam while others held the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. Balaam taught that to separate the children of Israel from God that the children of Israel needed to be physically tempted through beautiful women who would use the temptation to introduce false teachings and eat foods sacrificed to idols. There is wider thought on what might have the doctrine of Nicolaitans. Some propose that the Nicolaitans always gave favor to people over God--people couldn't help what they were doing because they were just human. Others promote the concept that the Nicolaitans were those who believed in the absolute power of church hierarchy. A common theme promoted by many is the idea of compromise, Nicolaitans compromised their beliefs by allowing pagan teachings to be introduced as part of church practices including the eating of foods sacrificed to idols. Both Balaam and the Nicolaitans are connected to allowing false teachings to become part of the church.

Revelation 2:16-17
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

With Jesus and God promises endure and all who are faithful till the end will be given eternal life. Some are given a long life and a long period of time to endure. Others are given a much shorter period of time, and some people have a short life span caused by evil or tragedy. To all it makes no difference; those who repent and those who endure to the end will be saved.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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