Message
to Pergamum
Pergamum was the center for many pagan religious cults.
Description of Christ
Two edged sword
Commendation - The Pergamum Christians had held
firmly to their commitment to Jesus Christ and their witness for Him, even
though they lived in one of Satan's
strongholds. What kinds of challenges
do you think the Pergamum believer’s faced? Do you see any strongholds for
Satan in our community? Where?
Criticism - some who hold the teaching of
Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of
Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of
immorality. 15 So you also have some who in the same way hold
the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Are we in danger of adopting false
teaching? How would Satan try to worm his way in?
Exhortation REPENT! What is the first step in repenting?
Potential Judgement Christ will make war against you
with the sword of his mouth – Judgement.
Promise
to overcomers
A white
stone represented a vote of acquittal or a favorable vote. Victors in contests
or battles also received a white stone. Perhaps God will elevate the overcomer
to the position of ruler over the earth, and will give him or her a new name,
as He did for Joseph, Abraham and Jacob. The "name" on that stone is
"new" in the sense of being different, not new in contrast to what is
old. However, the "name" is probably that of "Christ" (cf.
Phil. 2:9). It is "unknown"
to others ("which no one knows but he who receives it"), in the sense
that others who are not overcomers do not possess it.
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