Time’s Up!

Wk 4 “Pergamum, the Capitol of Compromise”

Revelation 2:12-17

July 2, 2023

Darin Elquist

Message Notes

Facts about the Book of Revelation

1. This book is about the second coming of Jesus Christ
2. In the end, when all is said and done, Jesus wins!

Revelation 2:12-17
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.

Three main things characterized this city.

1. It was renowned for its intellectual achievement
2. It’s political Power
3. It’s Pagan Worship

Intellectually-

Had the second largest library in the world second only to the library @ Alexandria in Egypt. Pergamos is where parchment was invented.

Politically-

Capitol of Asia. Because of this, Caesar worship would have been very prominent.

Jesus uses a different name for Himself as He addresses each church. When speaking to Pergamos He uses the title, “Him who has the sharp, double edged sword.”

Revelation 2:12
¹² “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.

“The Right of the Sword”

Power held by some Roman Governors giving them the power of life or death over the people in their area of responsibility.

Jesus uses this title to remind the reader that it is in fact Jesus who has the ultimate power over life and death.

Pagan Worship-

Pergamos had temples for the following false gods-

Zeus, Athena, Dionysus, Asclepios, Taylor Swift, Demeter, and the list goes on…

Dwell– Semi-permanent temporary stay

Live– Settle permanently, become rooted in community.

As a church, and individuals surrounded by the things of the world in a place that is clearly a throne room for Satan, how can we avoid the slow fade of compromise?

1. Recognize your Community/Culture-

Revelation 2:13
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.

2. Reveal the Compromise or Reveal your Compromise.

Revelation 2:14
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.

Compromise was made by the some of the people at Pergamos

Doctrine of Balaam- Doing the Lord’s work for personal financial gain

Began to live a worldly lifestyle. i.e. counter to what the Bible teaches, false god worship, sexual immorality, etc…

Compromised the teachings of Jesus

Matthew 16:18
¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Falling to Compromise is Not Unforgivable

3.Personal Revival

Check Your Heart Rate-

Recognize the Compromise

Confess the Compromise/sin

Repent or turn away from that, whatever it may be.

Revival can Hurt-

Acts 3:19

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

1. Read Revelation 2:12-17, what are some characteristics of the city of Pergamos or the people that live there that were pointed on in the sermon?

2. What do you think the “…sharp, double-edged sword” is a reference too in verse 12?

3. What do you think is meant by “…where Satan has his throne” in verse 13? Is Satan in charge of this world at the current time? Why or why not?

4. What are some ways we compromise in our spiritual life? What are some ways we can avoid compromising?

5. What are some of the things the church in Pergamos did that were good according to Jesus? What were the things that were not good? Can you see any of these traits in the Church today?

6. What is the doctrine of Balaam? Is it prevalent in the Church today?

7. Do we tolerate sin in the church? Should we? What are some ways we justify our own sin? What are some ways we are good at highlighting sins in others?

8. Is it possible to be a Christian and not repent? Are there steps involved in repentance? If so what are they?

9. Because of time constraints we did not have the chance to review the church in Thyatira for extra credit. Please read up on this church and we will take a look at it in next week’s study.

10. Prayer: Please pray that God would put on your heart this week one person that He wants you to tell Jesus about and that He would give you the courage to speak to them about what God has done for you. Also, if you are dealing with some compromise in your life, please reach out to someone in the church directly to come along side you in prayer. You don’t have to go through the world alone. There are people to help you along the way.