Letters to the Seven Churches

Pergamum - Hell’s Headquarters

1.   The PROTECTOR - “he who has the sharp sword with two edges”

      a.   The sword is a symbol of JUDGMENT - Rev 1:16 (cf Isaiah 11:4)

             i.    Hebrews 4:12 – it judges the HEART

             ii.   Revelation 19

      b.   Jesus will PUNISH those who teach or harbor false doctrine.

2.   The PRAISE - “I know thy works”

      a.   You live Satan’s SEAT – Pergamum was the home of the Altar of Zeus (7GWW) and a center for Emperor worship.

      b.   You have not denied my NAME or my FAITH

             i.    There were only two allegiances in that day . . . the Lord CAESAR or the Lord CHRIST (kaiseros vs Christos).

             ii.   To confess one was to deny the other, and to confess Christ could mean persecution or death.

             iii.  My faithful martyr Antipas was slain AMONG you.

             iv.  You have not loved your lives to the DEATH (cf 12:10-11)

3.   The PROBLEM

      a.   The doctrine of Balaam – IMMORALITY. Perhaps also a willingness to sacrifice PRINCIPLES for PROFIT.

      b.   The doctrine of the Nicolaitans – Experiential GNOSTICISM

             i.    To come to know sin by its very experience.

             ii.   Development of the CLERGY system

                   (1) Nicolaitans – nico = rule + laos = people

                   (2) Matthew 20:26-28 – this was a Gentile church

                   (3) Church organization was one of the first apostasies and Catholicism’s hierarchy is patterned on the Roman gov’t.

4.   The PRONOUNCEMENT

      a.   “REPENT or I will come QUICKLY” – why quickly?

             i.    1 Corinthians 5:6 – A little leaven leavens the whole lump

             ii.   2 Timothy 2:17 – false teaching is like a cancer

      b.   “I will fight with the sword of my MOUTH”

             i.    Ephesians 6:17 – the sword is the word of God

             ii.   What fighting is intended is unknown, but the Lord makes clear his ability to handle the situation (Summers).

5.   The PROMISE – “to him who overcomes, I will GIVE

      a.   HIDDEN Manna

             i.    Manna was God’s gift of LIFE to his people in the wilderness.

             ii.   Pergamum was a spiritual wilderness.

             iii.  God would provide such things as were necessary to sustain the life of the church.

      b.   White STONE – four common uses of white stones

             i.    To identify one ACQUITTED of a crime

             ii.   To identify one FREED from slavery

             iii.  To identify the VICTOR of a race or contest

             iv.  To identify and reward a CONQUERING soldier.