PERGAMUM
Rev. 2:12-17
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
*“Pergamos had all the atmosphere of an ancient city and all the pride of
centuries of greatness behind her.” *
1. Famous Library
2. Center For Religious Worship
3. The last outpost of Greek civilization
Shrine of Zeus and Athene
4. Center For Caesar Worship
The message to the Church Of Pergamum
- They dwelt in the midst of Satan’s throne.
- They were holding fast to His Name
- Did not deny the faith
Dwelling In The Midst Of Satan’s Seat
“Paroikein” greek- stranger or sojourner.
I Peter 1:1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
Heb 11:9
9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
1. Convictions
Food Sacrificed
Sexual Immorality.
“We have courtesans for the sake of pleasure; we have concubines for the
sake of daily cohabitation; we have wives for the purpose of having children legitimately, and of having a faithful guardian of our household affairs.” - Demosthenes
2. Consistency
I Cor 15:58
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
- “We don’t get days off as a Christian.” *- Pastor Brandon
3. Boldness
Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,[a] as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Hidden Manna and A White Stone?
- White stone stood for acquittal and a black stone for condemnation
- White stone stood for a happy day. (Victory)
- White stones were used as tickets for free bread, and more serious into the
- gladiatorial arena.
2 Questions to think about
- “If your life was put on the witness stand for Jesus would it be a valid testimony?”
- “If Celebration Church was put on the witness stand for Jesus would our testimony be a credible one?”
- Worship
- Prayer
- Theology
- Love
