Revelation 2-Part 3
And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this... Revelation 2:12 NAS
Background
City of Pergamum:
It was located only a couple of miles from the historical city of Troy, Pergamum was. It was the official center of the imperial cult, built in honor of the goddess Roma and the emperor Augustus. Also, Pergamum was crowned by a forty-foot tall altar to Zeus.
The city was famous for its library, a large gymnasium, and its medicine. It had little or no commerce, but was remarkable for its learning, refinement, and science, especially medicine. A number of kings made Pergamum their royal residence. The early science of medicine was identified with the worship of Satan, who usurped the place and dignity of Christ.
Church of Pergamum:
This was the church of worldly alliance. It was during the period of the church being elevated to a place of power and married the world. This era was when the church and state came together under the reign of Constantine and his successors. The heathens were won over by the adoption of pagan rites and festivals as parts of Christian worship. The church faced the temptation to join the Romans false religion for money. Yes, they were paid to convert.
LET IT GLOW
In verse 12, Jesus is revealed as the One which has the sharp two-edged sword. This sword is the Word of God (John 5:22, Heb. 4:12). Since this church is tolerating error, it needs to have the measuring rule of God's Word brought into action.
The sword referred to in verse 12, is the Greek word rhomphaia, is a sabre, a long and broad cutlas, any weapon of the kind (Strong's Greek Concordance); a kind of long sword to be worn on the right shoulder (Thayer's Lexicon).
This type of sword, the rhomphatia, was a weapon similar to the sword used by the Romans in battle. Pneuma is the Greek word Spirit, breath. Jesus will judge and strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, His breath, His Spirit. Sword from His mouth symbolizes the verbal pronouncement of judgment. Christ's adversaries will come against Him with an arsenal of weapons. Christ's warfare against error and evil will be swift and decisive. (Swindoll)
Paul used the same type of imagery in puting on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6:17, And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the world of God.
Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Matthew Henry's Commentary states:
The Word of God is a sword; it is a weapon both offensive and defensive; it is in the hand of God, able to slay both sin and sinners. It is a sharp sword. No heart is so hard but it is able to wound it; it can divide between the soul and those sinful habits. It turns and cuts cuts ever way; it is an edge to open a festered would in order to its healing. There is no escaping the sword.Do I surrender to this sword, the Word of God, or not? I think it will keep cutting me until I do.
LET IT GROW
I received a new name when I was 16 years old. Oh, my name Linda remained the same, but this name describes my soul. Can you guess it? It was Christian. Since I asked Jesus to save me, He gave me that new name. How about you, friend? Do you have the same name as me? You can. Just ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart to be your Savior. Then we will be in the same family, sharing the same name-Christian. (I am praying for you.) Friend, you need that new name in order to enter heaven.
Now, the church of Pergamum had a problem- it was the church had taken the route of compromise. Some of the Christians held onto Christ's name, while others harbored Balaamites and Nicolaitans. Numbers 22-25 tells about the prophet for pay who tried to lead Israel astray as they married ido-worshiping pagans. The modern followers of Balaam encouraged idolatry and sexual immorality, selfishness, greed, and lust. The Nicolaitans were the false teachers in the Ephesian church. That church knew how to love the sinner and reject the sin, but Pergamum chose to love the sinner and accept the sin. they compromise doctrine and morality.
The compromising had to end. This church had to get back on the right track. They needed a change of heart and mind. Christ's sword could do the job, calling them to repent, and us as well.
If they repented, what was awaiting them?
- hidden manna to eat (divine food),
- a special favor (white stone, which was a ticket of admission into the theater there),
- a new character (new name).
Are my spiritual ears listening? Do I compromise my beliefs, the Word?
I want that new name which only I will know, the one my Savior gives to only me.
Now, their were still some of the believers who didn't compromise. Antipas was one that is named in verse 13. He was a faithful witness, a martyr.
Beware of compromise. It never occurs quickly, always lowers the original standard, and often is the first step toward total disobedience. (Swindoll)
LET IT GO
Don't compromise my Christian beliefs and God's Word.
Stay faithful to Christ.
Obey God's Word, or He will get His sword out and use it on my, resulting in deep cuts of my soul.
*Sorry for not posting on Friday, but I was in Ft. Worth at a VBS training.
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