Revelation 2: 13-16
I like the way that Jesus identifies Himself in His message to the Pergamum church. (Of course, there’s nothing I dislike about what He does.) He says that He is the One who has the sharp two-edged sword (Rev. 2: 12). Even though the Romans persecuted the church with the power of the sword, Jesus’ identification was a reminder that He has the last word – God’s word; for that is what the two-edged sword represents. Jesus’ word cuts deep, always getting to the heart of the matter. And the truth in this matter was that His power is greater than the Roman power. To the church, then and now, He wants us to remember that though we have tribulation, we can stand courageously firm in our faith, for as the Word, He has overcome the world.
It was an appropriate beginning for the message because, in assessing the church, Jesus acknowledged that the church was surrounded by the most powerful of satanic forces. It was a dangerous place to be. There could have been a mass Christian exodus from the city, but the church remained loyal and continued its witness. Jesus commended the church for that stance; for not denying the faith.
There are many churches like that today. They suffer from constant outside evils manifested in the physical, especially in Mid-Eastern countries. And there are churches in western countries which, though not being under constant physical attack, are most certainly being constantly attacked spiritually. Yet they accept where they are and remain faithful.
The thing to watch out for, though, is lowering the church to worldly standards of life. That’s what Jesus had against the Pergamum church. It was faithful to witness just like the church in Ephesus. But whereas the Ephesian church was on the lookout for false teachings and wouldn’t tolerate them, the Pergamum church was a divided church. It allowed for the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans.* These two groups taught that there was nothing wrong with giving in and conforming to the ways of the world in order to escape persecution.
The sad thing about some churches today is that even without being persecuted, they too compromise with the world. They go along to get along in order to, in their minds, remain relevant to the world. Enthusiastically, they bring into the church worldly philosophies, conduct, lifestyles, and other secular influences. Jesus didn’t want that temptation to exist for the Pergamum church. Nor does He want it in the church today.
The church is to be an alternative to the world, bringing it up to heavenly standards (2 Corinthians 6: 17). Yes, we’re in the world, but we’re not to be a part of this world’s snare. We’re to avoid engaging in its unholiness (John 17: 15, 16).
Knowing this, it would behoove those who are caught up in this kind of morass to acknowledge it and, as Jesus says – “repent!” Leaders should preach what’s right, regardless of where the chips might fall. Always, the righteousness of God’s wisdom should guide. In this way, regardless of circumstances, the leader and the flock are then positioned to be called faithful witnesses.
Lastly, the Pergamum message can be thought of as symbolically representing the church age that ran from A.D. 313 through the 5th century. During that period, the church was accepted by the world and became a state religion. Afterwards, the church began compromising its beliefs with the pagan world. Consequently, tradition gradually became more authoritative than the Bible. The overwhelming result of all this – though many Christians remained faithful to the gospel – was apostasy and a widespread spiritual decline.
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*Read The Nicolaitans. Click here.