Chapter # 2 Paragraph # 3 Study # 1
August 20, 2023
Broadlands, Louisiana
(Download Audio)
Thesis: Loyalty to the name of Jesus must go beyond loyalties to any others.
Introduction: In our look into the letter to the church in Smyrna we saw that the people were about to be subjected to severe persecutions that might lead to death, and we were told that being "faithful unto death" is a requirement for the promise of escape from the Second Death. This concept is first introduced by Jesus when He taught the parable of the soils in
Luke 8:13. In that text the idea of "believing for a while" is introduced and "falling away" because of persecutions in not acceptable.
This evening we are going to look into the letter to Pergamos.
- I. The Letter To Pergamos.
- A. The chosen self-description of Jesus.
- 1. He is "the One Who has the sharp, two-edged sword".
- a. There are six references to this type of sword in Revelation (1:16; 2:12, 16; 6:8; 19:15; and 19:21).
- 1) Each reference (except for 6:8) is to this "sword" as coming out of Jesus' mouth, and it is an instrument of death in every case. The "exception" is in a text that details how men will be killed (with sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts) and represents the instruments of war (even in the Old Testament "war" was waged with many other weapons but the sword represents them all).
- 2) In this context, this "weapon" represents the words that proceed out of Jesus' mouth, but the end result is death.
- 3) In the larger context (Revelation 19:11-21) it is this sword that will completely eliminate all of the rebels upon the earth.
- b. In the warning, it will be "war" with the Balaamites and Nicolaitans: this may be a revelation regarding the reason this "angel" has allowed these enemies to have influence in the church.
- 1) The two categories of evil men are like unto those who twist the grace of God into a total lack of control (Jude 1:4) -- the Balaamites, and those who attempt to return to the Law as a basis for behavior (Galatians 4:9) -- the Nicolaitans.
- 2) There has to be a reason for this "allowance".
- 3) Perhaps it is that the people involved are people with whom this "angel" has strong emotional ties (family, close friends??). This seems to be the only reason for such tolerance, since loyalty to the name of Jesus even to death has been the character of this man.
- c. That it is "sharp" and has both edges sharpened gives the image of a sword being swung back and forth so that no one can escape its reach.
- 1) The "sharpness" indicates the ease with which it cuts (14:14, 17-18).
- 2) That it has both edges sharpened has some link to Hebrews 4:12 where the Word of God has the ability to "cut both ways" as it goes deep into its victims so that thoughts and intentions of the heart are revealed.
- 2. This One is "saying" as a matter of doctrine.
- B. The Issues in Pergamos.
- 1. They dwell where Satan's throne is. This is a definitive link to a "location" where Satan's personal presence is. This would indicate a certain "hot bed" of Satanic issues.
- 2. They are holding fast to His name and did not deny "My faith", even in the days of Antipas.
- a. This church is loyal even to death (see the church in Smyrna and the promise given to it).
- b. This loyalty stood even in the face of an actual martyr.
- c. This loyalty is to "My Name" and "My Faith" -- though that external loyalty was marred by the internal "allowances".
- 1). They are allowing the teaching of Balaam.
- 2) They are allowing the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
- C. The command: Repent.
- D. The warning.
- 1. I am coming to you quickly.
- 2. I will make war with them with the sword of My mouth.
- E. The other churches' need to hear.
- 1. There is secret manna to be had.
- 2. There is a white stone to be gained.
- 3. There is a private name to be received.
