PERGAMUM – THE COMPROMISING CHURCH
AAA TRAVEL NOTES – PERGAMUM
- 70 mile north of Smyrna and 15 miles inland
- magnificent city became allied with Rome some 130 years BC
- in 29 B.C. Pergamum became the 1st city to erect a temple to a living emperor
- by the 1st century A.D. Pergamum became a major political (ties to Roman Empire, intellectual (2000,000 Volume library – popularized writing sheets of animal skins = parchment), and religious center (temples, altars, shrines to Zeus (savior-god), Athena (goddess of victory), Dionysus (god of the dynasty), and Asklepios (god of healing).
- Jews protected & recognized by past treaties with Rome
- Christians had no such background therefore seen as “superstition”; hated and persecuted
GOOD NEWS (v. 12-13)
1. Jesus is described as the one who has the
2. Jesus said,
3. Remain
BAD NEWS (v. 14-15)
1. Compromising
2. Compromising
WARNING AND REWARD (v. 16-17)
1. Correction with a
2.
3. Challenge with a
TAKE AWAY…
It’s been said of compromise…what one generation
12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.
13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.
15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. —REVELATION 2:12-17