Lesson 6Revelation 2: 12-17 |
In Revelation 2:12 - 17 we have the church of Pergamos, which means
"Thoroughly Married" or "Twice Married". Pergamos was the official
capital of the Asian province. It was located about 50 miles North of
Smyrna and 15 miles from the Aegean Sea. The city is known to have had
the second biggest library of the time. The first largest was the
library at Alexandria, Egypt. This capital was famous for its science,
learning, and culture.
This city also had the pleasure of being known for the royal residence,
a university, and a pagan cathedral. Emperors were worshipped like gods.
Therefore, you can guess what was going on in Pergamos as the royal
residence. In addition, Pergamos was known for perfecting the art of
preparing animal skins for writing material.
Some believe that this church represents the church and the world coming
together. Some say that has not happened yet. Well let us say it
differently and tell me what you think: "the world and the church coming
together?" We see this in our church people wanting to operate the
church like the world operates. This is how some of us act everyday, but
we call ourselves CHRISTIANS. This marriage of the church and the world
took place under the Emperor Constantine, as he made Christianity a
state religion. The world cannot come into the church; the church must
go into the world.
What does Jesus say about Pergamos? In Revelation 2:12, John is told to
tell the church in Pergamos that this message is coming from "…he which
hath the sharp sword with two edges". Remember that the two-edged sword
represents His word. The word is the power to judge and to execute that
judgment. This means the "sharp two-edged sword, is not just limited to
thinking, judging, and executing. It includes the ability to penetrate,
separate, divide, lay open, search out, and conquer (Romans 8:28 - 39;
Isaiah 79:1 - 7; Matthew 10:34 -39); Isaiah 14:24. Yes, He will judge
but only after He has given us the opportunity to come home to Him.
In verse 13, there is much to cover as we are told things about this
church and about us. "I know thy works, and where thou dwellest…". Does
God know where you dwell? This word "dwellest" means to settle or to be
in a fixed place. Think about this, He has full knowledge of your tasks
and your location. Remember what Romans 8:28 and Isaiah 14:24, 27 and I
Corinthians 10:13 say to us.
Moving a little deeper into verse 13, we see "…even where Satan's seat
is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith," The
following definitions help us to understand this passage.
|
Jesus is telling the church that He knows they are in the middle of Satan's stronghold. This is the place where they worship the emperors as if they are gods. It would be like residents of Washington DC worshipping the presidents as gods and had temples to them. We have had 43 presidents, so which one would be the greatest? Not only did they do this with emperors, but also they still had the Greek and Roman gods. Then here comes Christianity talking about one God over all things, which included their gods. Can you picture the environment in which Christians lived? Have some of you experienced this environment?
Who is Antipas? He was the bishop of Pergamos during the time of Emperor Domitian. His name means "against all" which could represent how he was standing alone for the faith against the forces of Satan's seat (throne). It is believed that Antipas died as he was roasted alive in a hollow life-sized bull, which had a bonfire under its belly, because he refused to renounce his faith in Christ Jesus.
The following definitions help us to understand verse 13.
|
 |
 |