Through the Bible - Joel, Revelation 5
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll continue in Revelation 2 and look at what Jesus had to say to those in the church in Pergamum. It was a wealthy city with many temples devoted to idol worship with stautues of the various gods prominent in the city. It would not have been popular to be a Christian in Pergamum. Kevin DeYoung writes, " yet believers there did not renounce the name of Jesus. They were strongest in the very areas where Ephasus was weakest. The Ephesians didn't love anymore. They turned their lights inward on one another instead of out in the world. But those at Pergamum held together. They were loyal and did not turn on one another when they faced persecution. They were bold in their witness to an enemy culture."
Wouldn't you say that these are some of the same problems in churches across the USA today, that they had turned their lights inward? Notice also that he speaks of an "enemy culture". The word has to go out into the culture but that culture is not to become the culture of the church.
What does God's Word say to this church?
Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. NKJV
DeYoung writes, "They were undiscerning, which is why Jesus introduced Himself as He who wielded the sharp two edged sword. The Christians at Pergamum didn't have a kean eye for the orthodoxy and moral uprightness like those at Ephasus. The held to the teachings of the Nicolaitans. In short they had been deceived.... Ephasus was under engaged with the culture, Pergamum over identified with the culture. Their indifference to religious and moral deviancy was not a sign of their great relevance to the culture, or their great broadmindedness, or a great testimony to their ability to focus on God's love; it was a blight on their otherwise passionate, faithful witness."
We, as Christians, need to live in the culture, be engaged in it, but not become like the culture. We live counter culturally, showing a better way, loving God and loving others.
The double edged sword, the Word of God, offers grace, forgiveness and salvation while at the same time bringing judgement to those who will not hear what it has to say to them and reject the Gospel, the Good Word.
Hebrews 4:12 speaks of the Word of God of being living and active. May it be so in our hearts and lives.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. NKJV
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Rev 2:12-18
To Pergamum
Write this to Pergamum, to the Angel of the church. The One with the sharp-biting sword draws from the sheath of his mouth — out come the sword words:
"I see where you live, right under the shadow of Satan's throne. But you continue boldly in my Name; you never once denied my Name, even when the pressure was worst, when they martyred Antipas, my witness who stayed faithful to me on Satan's turf.
"But why do you indulge that Balaam crowd? Don't you remember that Balaam was an enemy agent, seducing Balak and sabotaging Israel's holy pilgrimage by throwing unholy parties? And why do you put up with the Nicolaitans, who do the same thing?
"Enough! Don't give in to them; I'll be with you soon. I'm fed up and about to cut them to pieces with my sword-sharp words.
"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I'll give the sacred manna to every conqueror; I'll also give a clear, smooth stone inscribed with your new name, your secret new name."
(from THE MESSAGE)
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