THE CHURCH AT PERGAMOS
(Rev. 2:12-17)
I. INTRODUCTION.
A.-A city in Southern Maysia, a capital city. It stood about
twenty miles from the sea on the northern bank of the Cai-
cus River.
B. A beautiful city. It was the seat of literature and arts. The
library there contained 200,000 volumes at one time.
11. "SHARP SWORD WITH TWO EDGES"-Verse 12.
A. His words represented a two-edged sword, cut and pene-
trated deep. Heb. 4:12; Isa. 11:4.
B. He was about to reprove the church at Pergamos and the
words from his mouth would be as a two-edged sword,
sharp, etc. Rev. 1:16; Eph. 6:17.
III. GOD'S KNOWLEDGE-Verse 13.
A. A God of knowledge. I Sam. 2:3.
B. Knows what is in the darkness. Dan. 2:22; jer. 23:24.
C. Knoweth the thoughts of the wise. I jno. 3:20.
D. Will search Jerusalem with candles and punish; will not
drink of vineyards they plant, houses desolate, etc. Zeph.
1:12, 13.
E. Satan's seat evil influence, etc. Verse 13.
IV. "HOLDEST FAST MY NAME" STEADFAST-Verse 13.
A. We are of His house if we hold fast. Heb. 3:4-6; 4:14; Eph.
3:15; 1 Pet. 4:16.
B. They endured hardship in face of death. Verse 13. See Psa.
119:67, 71.
C. The death of Antipas. (See Barnes' Notes on Revelation,
page 75).
D. They were enduring such hardships as described in the
following passages: Matt. 10:22; 1 Pet. 2:19-
E. Yet Christ reproves them. Verses 14-17.
V. "THEM THAT HOLD THE DOCTRINE OF BALAAM"-
Verse 14.
A. Taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children
of Israel.
B. It was through the instructions of Balaam that Balac
learned how to lead Israel into sin.
1. Balac (Balak) King of Moab. Num. 22-24; Job 3:8.
C. Many today refuse to disobey God's direct commands and
yet will throw a stumbling block before others.
D. Balac made use of the charms of the women of Moab to
lead Israel into sin and accomplished his aim though in a
different manner from that which he had at first planned.
VI. "EAT THINGS SACRIFICED TO IDOLS."
A. No harm in eating meat offered to idols. I Cor. 7. Hence,
induced them to attend feasts and expose themselves to all
corruption and licentiousness.
B. This shows what a harmless thing can lead to unless well
guarded.
C. So accustomed was the heathen world to committing forni-
cation that the church looked upon it with little severity.
See Acts 15:19, 20.
D. Many today are overcome with the same sin-dancing,
drinking, etc.
VII. "THE DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLAITANS."
A. May have been the same doctrine of Balaam-if not, we do
not know.
B. Griesback, Tittman, and Hahn tell us that they retained
those who taught things like Balaam.
VIII. REPENT.
A. Reformation of mind and life, or else would come quickly
-in judgment.
B. Fight against them-the church for tolerating them. The
church always suffers when sin is in the camp.
IX. "HE THAT OVERCOMETH."
A. Must hear to overcome.
B. Given to eat of the hidden manna-spiritual food that
nourishes forever.
C. As the manna in the wilderness sustains the Israelites-
Ex. 16:16-35; Psa. 68:24, 25-this manna will sustain us
through eternity.
D. Give him a white stone.
1. Anew name written.
2. We are not sure what that will be, any more than those
who lived before Christ came were sure of the new
name to be given us. Isa. 56:5.
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