The Compromising Church: Pergamum-Rev 2:12-17

Revelation 2:12-17; Key Verse: Rev 2:12b, 16

“These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”

For the church in Pergamum, the sword is a major theme throughout (Rev 2:12, 16). In life all men face the sword, some deservingly and many undeservingly. We are cut down by random acts of violence. Regardless of who the perpetrator, instigator or aggressor was, Travon Martin was cut down by George Zimmerman when a bullet pieced through his chest and his heart. We are cut when our company downsizes or when our boss does not like us. We are cut by words spoken to us in ways that demean or degrade us. We are cut by being unfriended from Facebook or no longer followed on Twitter. In life we cannot avoid the sword and we cannot avoid by being cut down by some aspect of life.

In this sermon, we shall consider:

1. What the sword is (Rev 2:12; Heb 4:12).2. What the sword does (Rev 2:13-17).

• It challenges Satan (Rev 2:13)
• It challenges compromise (Rev 2:14-15; Num 25:1-9; 31:16)
• It judges (Rev 2:16; 1 Cor 6:18; 10:14)
• It rewards (Rev 2:17; 3:4, 12; 2 Cor 5:17)

3. Who the sword cuts down.

Like the suffering church in Smyrna (7/7/13), the church in Pergamum suffered from intense persecution from their own people, the Jews, and from the God-hating Roman empire. But the church in Pergamum also had an enemy from within, an influential Bible teacher who enticed God’s people to idolatry and immorality (Rev 2:14).

Ephesus, the loveless church: Truth must be accompanied by love. The church in Ephesus was commended for faithfully persevering in truth, for driving out false Bible teachers (Rev 2:2), and for hating the teaching of the Nicolaitans (Rev 2:6), which insinuated that freedom in Christ meant license to sin [This was what the church in Pergamum was rebuked for (Rev 2:15).] Despite being biblical, they were sternly rebuked for losing their first love (Rev 2:4). Unless they repent and restore their first love, Jesus will remove their church (Rev 2:5). Christians must speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15). Their conversation should not only be seasoned with salt; it must be full of grace (Col 4:6).

Smyrna, the suffering church: faithfulness unto death. The circumstances in Smyrna were similar to Pergamum. Smyrna was devoted to emperor worship. Their secularized Jewish community made peace with emperor worship–proclaiming allegiance to both YHWH and Caesar. But the Smyrnan Christians did not. As a result, they were barred from the marketplace and slandered by the Jews (Rev 2:9b). They lived in abject poverty (Rev 2:9a). Refusing to confess “Caesar is Lord” in order to buy and sell is to take the Mark of the Beast (Rev 13:7, 16-17). They paid dearly for their confession, “Christ is Lord.” Many were imprisoned and died at the hands of the Roman Beast. But Jesus makes them a promise (Rev 2:10-11). They will face persecution for ten days–a short time–and by persevering, they will receive the crown of life (Rev 20:4). One of the great paradoxes in redemptive history is that Satan loses the most ground when his wrath against God and his people is the greatest!

Betrayed by fellow countrymen. Pergamum is 60 miles north of Smyrna and about 15 miles inland. Like Smyrna, Pergamum worshipped Caesar as “a god” making it very difficult for a Christian to profess that “Christ is Lord.” The Jews in Pergamum regarded Christians as “Nazarenes,” a seditious sect who were shunned for not attending pagan feasts or honoring Greek and Roman deities in the marketplace. Refusing to call Caesar “Lord” prompted Rome to arrest them. As in Smyrna, the Jews happily helped the Romans identify them. Christians in Pergamum faced the full wrath of the Satanically empowered beast, who “was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them” (Rev 13:7).

Using the template for the 7 churches, this is for Pergamum:

1. The Church: Compromising, Immoral, Defiled (Rev 2:14-15).
2. The Christ: The Warrior Lord with “the sharp, double-edged sword” (Rev 2:12).
3. The Commendation: Remaining true to Jesus amid Satan’s attacks (Rev 2:13).
4. The Concern (Rebuke): Embracing false teaching on sex and idolatry (Rev 2:14-15).
5. The Command: Repent (Rev 2:16a).
6. The Caution: Fight against you with the sword (Rev 2:16b).
7. The Consummation (Promise): Given “a white stone with a new name written on it” (Rev 2:17).

The sword brings judgment. “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword” (Rev 2:12). The sword rules and judges. The image of a sword dominates the entire letter. The sword is symbolic of Christ coming to this church in his kingly office to bring judgment upon his enemies. The sword symbolizes Christ’s (judicial) power to judge all things according to the truth of God’s word (Heb 4:12). It also warns the apostates within the church of Christ’s impending judgment upon them.

The sword is used against Christians. The sword is also symbolic of the “power of the sword” of Rome, the Satanically inspired beast. Caesar put to the sword Christians who refused to acknowledge his divinity. Jesus uses the same symbol to remind his church of who wields the real sword of justice and power. The message is clear: All who persecute Christ’s people with the sword in this life will themselves face the judgment of Christ in the next. The ancient proverb is true: Those who live by the sword die by the sword. This warning is also for those who seduce Christ’s people through false Bible teaching. They too will face his sword of judgment. Jesus is a jealous bridegroom who does everything in his power to protect his bride.

The sword identifies those faithful to Jesus. Jesus says to the church in Pergamum: “I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives” (Rev 2:13). Jesus knows what the Christians in Pergamum were facing. Dominated by paganism and emperor worship, the city’s most prominent landmark, which dominated the skyline, was a large hill upon which the temple of Zeus stood. This is where Satan lives and placed his throne. Despite this, the Christians in Pergamum remained faithful to Jesus even when one of their own, Antipas, was put to death.

The sword comes to those enticed by idolatry and sex. Christians faced the Roman sword and remained faithful to Christ. But Jesus had a strong rebuke for the church. They were tolerant of false teaching and compromise: “I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans” (Rev 2:14-15). These teachings are so grievous that Jesus threatens to “come to them soon and fight against them with the sword of his mouth” (Rev 2:16). Jesus commands the church to repent, or he will come in judgment.

The sword succumbed to idolatry and sex. The Christians in Pergamum faithfully resisted the threat of the sword by Rome to deny Christ, even after Antipas was put to death (Rev 2:13). But these same Christians were seduced by false Bible teachers who led them away from Christ through deception. They do not force believers to deny Christ with a sword. Instead, they enticed believers to deny Christ more subtly…by idolatry and sex.

Balaam’s enticing teaching brought the sword of judgment. They held to the teaching of Balaam (Numbers 22-25). He deceived Israel into worshiping idols and committing immorality, which brought the wrath of God (Num 25:1-9): “While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them. The LORD said to Moses, `Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the LORD’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.’ So Moses said to Israel’s judges, `Each of you must put to death those of your men who have joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor.’ Then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. When Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw this, he left the assembly, took a spear in his hand and followed the Israelite into the tent. He drove the spear through both of them—through the Israelite and into the woman’s body. Then the plague against the Israelites was stopped; but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.”

Not denying God yet denying God. Israel worshiped Baal without ever denying God. But this denies God, for God alone is God and he never shares his glory with another. Israel’s spiritual adultery brought judgment upon a couple caught flagrante delicto (Latin: “in blazing offense). Also, 24,000 Israelites died from a plague sent by God. The summary comment says, “They were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the LORD in what happened at Peor, so that a plague struck the LORD’s people” (Num 31:16).

Not denying Christ, yet engaging in idolatry and immorality. Christ threatens the church in Pergamum with the sword for tolerating the Nicolaitans, which was false teaching similar to Balaam’s. They refused to deny Christ at the point of a Roman sword. But they thought nothing of participating in idolatrous and sexual practices with non-Christian friends, family and business associates. In the days of Balaam Israel worshiped God and Baal at Peor. In Pergamum Christians worshiped Christ and participated in idolatry and immorality which dominated the civic and cultural life.

Flee idolatry and immorality. The Nicolaitans did not deny Christ. But Jesus warns them about eating food sacrificed to idols and committing sexual immortality (Rev 2:14)–culturally accepted practices and prominent themes throughout the NT. Paul addresses sexual issues (1 Cor 5:1-13; 6:12-7:41) and food offered to idols (1 Cor 8:1-11:1). Food offered to idols doesn’t defile it (1 Cor 8:4-7; 10:25-26). But the social context can turn this innocent act into serious sin by sending mixed signals (1 Cor 8:7-13; 10:23-33) or by sharing “the table of demons” at banquets honoring pagan gods (1 Cor 10:14-22). Paul tersely commanded, “Flee from idolatry” (1 Cor 10:14), just as he commanded, “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Cor 6:18). Idolatry or immorality is like cheating on our husband who tolerates no rivals (1 Cor 6:13, 19-20; 10:22). The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) affirmed that justification is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. They also insisted that Gentiles avoid sexual immorality and eating meat sacrificed to idols. This is not vegetarianism or celibacy. God is not against meat or sex. But Christians shouldn’t eat meat left over from pagan sacrifices and rituals, and then sold in the marketplace at a discounted price. This sanctions or condones practices of animal sacrifices and fertility rites. It is sharing the table with demons. In Pergamum Christians were involved in temple prostitution, participated in drunken feasts and orgies directly tied to the civic, cultural and commercial life of the city. But Christians are to avoid all sexual relations outside of marriage.

Tempted to marry outside the church for benefits. To conduct business, Christians were invited to pagan feasts where ungodly things took place. To improve one’s social standing or business prospects, Christians were tempted to marry outside the church with well-connected families. This avoided the stigma and persecution associated with being a Christian. The Israelites had sex with Moabite women. The Christians in Pergamum had sex with non-Christians and/or joined their religious practices. For this, Jesus will come to them with the sword of judgment.

Worshiping Christ and idolatry and sex. What should the church do? Christians cannot worship Christ and participate in immorality or idolatry. We have one master. We serve him only. To compromise is to deny Jesus and invoke his wrath. What Satan does through the Beast (Rome), he does to the church. Christians worshiped Christ on Sun and then participated in idolatry and immorality during the week. The biblical sexual ethic was obliterated by secular sexuality where Christians married outside the church, or participated in sexual immorality.

Repent or face purifying judgment. Jesus commands, “Repent therefore!” (Rev 2:16a) Repentance means church discipline, and confronting Nocolaitan teaching, as Paul instructed Timothy (2 Tim 2:25-26). If they do not, “I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Rev 2:16b). Not all promises and threats of Jesus’ coming refer to the second coming. Jesus will “soon come” (he walks among the lampstands). He would call the Nicolaitans to account. When the Corinthian church abused the Lord’s Supper, illness and death resulted in the congregation. Those providential instruments of discipline were motivated by Christ’s love and directed to their good, “so that we may not be condemned with the world” (1 Cor 11:30-32). Some purifying judgment would happen to the church at Pergamum, unless church discipline and repentance ensured. “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev 2:17a).

Jesus sustains those who overcome with “manna.” “To the one who is victorious (To him who overcomes), I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it” (Rev 2:17b). To those who remain faithful to Christ, Jesus promises them to give them the hidden manna–a reference to the manna preserved in the Most Holy place in the tabernacle. In the wilderness, Moses had shown that the manna pointed beyond itself (Deut 8:3; Mt 4:4). Ultimately, the manna is Jesus himself, as the “bread from heaven” (Jn 6:32-35, 48-51), which nourishes his people.

The eternal blessing and reward of a new name. Those who overcome will be given “a white stone with a new name.” The white stone is the climax of the church’s pilgrimage. It symbolizes purity and the righteousness of the saints who did not soil their clothes by compromising with sin (Rev 3:4). But the name that the stone bears is more important. The name is known only to the one who receives it, as Jesus the rider of the White Horse of judgment has a name known only to himself (Rev 19:12-13). The name is a shared secret between Jesus and the recipient, blending mystery and disclosure. It may be the name of God (Rev 3:12). The victor’s “new name” is their transformed identity in Christ (Abram to Abraham; Simon to Peter), which signals their transformation by God’s power and grace. To those who hold fast to his name (Rev 2:13) Jesus gives a new name. He marks us as his property and reshapes our identity to fit his perfection (Rom 8:29). The white stone with the new name binds the recipient to the Savior. One day he will come with his sword to execute judgment on those who persecuted Christ’s people, and judge those who led Christ’s people away through the seduction of idolatry. Those with the white stone need never fear the sword of justice, for they are Christ’s and he knows those who are his! Amen.

The One who went under the sword. When man sinned he lost the privilege to live forever and he had to face the sword of God’s wrath and judgment for his sin. When Adam and Even sinned, God “placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life” (Gen 2:24). Man no longer had access to the tree of life without being cut down by the sword because of his sin. Only one man could have free access to the tree of life without being cut down because he was without sin. But he went into his garden, dripping sweats of blood, dreading the cup of God’s sword, as he went under the sword and was cut down completely, though he was innocent of any wrongdoing. Because he was cut down by the sword, we who should be cut down, have free access once again to the tree of life to receive the hidden manna, a new stone and a new name (Rev 2:17), which is all obtained only by his grace.

Are you remaining true to Jesus without compromising and becoming defiled? Are you feeling cut down by life? Do you know of One who was cut down by the sword in your place, so that you may avoid the sword you deserve, and instead receive a wreath of victory?

Questions:

1. How is Jesus One “who has the sharp two-edged sword” (Rev 2:12; 1:16; 2:16; 6:8; 19:15, 21)? What is this “sword” (Heb 4:12)? Why is this the theme of this letter?
2. Why is Pergamum “where Satan’s throne is” (Rev 2:13a)? What is the church commended for (Rev 2:13b)?
3. What does Jesus “have against” this church? Who are “Balaam” and “Balak” (Rev 2:14; Num 25:1-2; 31:16)? What sins do they tempt us to commit? What biblical truths are you tempted to compromise? How are the “Nicolaitans” related to Balaam and Balak (Rev 2:15)?
4. What does Jesus command the church to do (Rev 2:16)? What is this “coming” of Christ (1 Cor 11:30-32)? How will Christ “make war” against these believers? Why will He do this?
5. What is the “hidden manna,””white stone” and “new name” that those who overcome receives (Rev 2:17)?

References:

1. Johnson, Dennis E. Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation. Pillipsburg: P&R Publishing Company. 2001.
2. Sermons on the Book of Revelation. Kim Riddlebarger, Sr. Pastor, Christ Reformed Church. Anaheim.
3. The Letter to the Church at Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17). Sam Storms (11/5/06).
4. Quote: “Any sin is more or less heinous depending upon the honor and majesty of the one whom we had offended. Since God is of infinite honor, infinite majesty, and infinite holiness, the slightest sin is of infinite consequence. The slightest sin is nothing less than cosmic treason when we realize against whom we have sinned.” Jonathan Edwards