Jesus’ Letters to the Churches - Pergamum
I. Pergamum
A. The city of Pergamum was the capital of the Asian providence
B. It was here that parchment was invented
C. It was the providential center of Caesar worship. It also contained an altar to Zeus, but it was most noted for the temple of Asclapius, the god of healing
1. Many people came to the city for cures
2. Interestingly, the symbol for Asclapius was a serpent. The serpent in the Scriptures is usually associated with Satan
II. The Letter
A. Jesus introduces himself as the one with the two-edged sword
1. We have already seen that this refers to the Scriptures and in particular the Word of God’s ability to discern between good and evil.
a. Ephesians 6:17 - The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God
b. Hebrews 4:12 - Able to discern the smallest detail
2. Jesus is approaching this church in judgment
B. Praises
1. Despite living where Satan lives (or where he has his throne), they have held fast and have not denied the faith
2. They held on even though one of their number, Antipas, was martyred for the sake of Christ
C. Warnings
1. Some of their number have followed after the teachings of Balaam
a. Balaam was a prophet in the Old Testament whom a king hired to curse the Israelites. Though Balaam wanted the money, he was unable to do as the king asked. God would not let him.
b. Eventually, he gave up, but not before he suggested to the king that he could get God to reject Israel by leading them into sin - Numbers 31:6; 25:1-3
2. Some in Pergamum had forsaken truth for idolatry and sexual sins for the sake of money - II Peter 2:12-15
a. They had set a stumbling block. They tempted the children of God (Christians) to sin
b. They had encouraged idol worship
c. They had encouraged sexual sins
d. In other words, they had acted just like Balaam
3. Others in Pergamum followed after the teachings of the Nicolaitans
a. Unlike the Ephesians who resisted these false teachers, some here had fallen under their influence
b. We don’t know what the Nicolaitans taught
4. Jesus warns that they must repent or he would fight them with the sword of his mouth
a. Similar to Paul’s statement in II Corinthians10:3-6
b. Or the assurance of the destruction of Satan - II Thessalonians 2:8
c. Jesus would destroy the false teachers with the truth
d. Just as Balaam died by the sword - Numbers 31:8
D. Promises
1. To those who overcome, Jesus offers hidden manna
a. Manna were the small wafers that God gave to the Israelites to feed them while they wondered in the wilderness
b. Hidden manna refers to the manna that was kept in a jar before the Lord in the ark of the covenant
(1) Exodus 16:31, 33 - Description and placement
(2) Hebrews 9:4 - Jar was in the ark
c. The hidden manna Jesus was offering was himself and the salvation he bought for us with his own body - John 6:31-35, 49-58
d. As a result, Paul said our life was hid with Christ - Colossians 3:3-4
e. The Hebrews writer, talking about those who had salvation, said they have tasted the heavenly gift - Hebrews 6:4-5
f. Salvation is known to those who will receive it, but it is hidden from the rest of the world - Luke 19:42; Colossians 2:1-3
2. A white stone with a new name written on it
a. The meaning of this is hotly debated
b. Only other mention of a white stone is Acts 26:10 where many translations refer to casting a vote
(1) In those days to vote in favor of something, a white stone was placed in a container. To oppose something, a black stone was placed in a container.
(2) Jesus was saying he would judge in their favor if they would overcome their problems
c. The new name could refer to a new relationship with Christ, as discussed in Romans 6:4
(1) If they would overcome this sin, Jesus would let them start over again with a new relationship with him
(2) His relationship, though, would be personal, known only to him
(3) Jesus is not offering salvation to the whole church, but to the individuals who did his will.