The seven churches: Pergamum

Why was compromise a wrong choice for the Christians in Pergamum?

Pergamum was about sixty-five miles north of Smyrna but was not a coastal city in Asia Minor. It was located inland, in a highly fertile area. Some considered Pergamum the capital of Roman Asia because of its beauty and wealth. King Eumenes of Pergamum hoped to one day build a library that would exceed Alexandria’s. To hinder that plan, the export of papyrus to the region was cut off to Pergamum. That embargo led King Eumenes to develop parchment, a writing material made from animal skins.

Pergamum was home to famous sculptures, temples to many Roman gods, and at least three temples for emperor worship. Finally, it was unique in that it was the only city that Rome allowed to use capital punishment. Even the Jewish historian Josephus wrote about Pergamum, which had a Jewish community living there.

What was it like for the Christians of Pergamum?

When Jesus gave his message to John about Pergamum, he said, “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast to my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells’” (Revelation 2:12–13).

Jesus told the pastor of the Christian church that the words of his message to Pergamum were to be considered a “sharp two-edged sword.” These Christians lived in a city where the Roman leaders were allowed to execute those believed to be criminals. All that is known about Antipas is that he was a faithful witness, and he was killed in a city “where Satan dwells.” In a city that held three temples dedicated to emperor worship, Antipas likely refused to say the words, “Caesar is Lord,” and, as a result, lost his life. Jesus wanted the pastor and the Christians in Pergamum to know that his words would be their weapon, a “sharp two-edged sword.”

But not everyone would stand for their witness as Antipas had done.

Who had compromised their witness in Pergamum?

Jesus said, “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans” (Revelation 2:14–15).

Apparently, some Christians divided the church and distorted the apostolic message by following wrong teaching. Those wrong teachers were compared to those in Old Testament history who misled the Israelites to follow Baal. The church in Pergamum allowed people to preach a compromised message, and many followed their message.

Jesus commended the church in Ephesus because they “hated the practices of the Nicolaitans,” just as he also “hated them” (Revelation 2:6). The Nicolaitans were a heretical group whose message allowed for certain compromises that made living under Roman rule more bearable or pleasant. This unbiblical teaching was understandably popular, but it was not the truth of God. Jesus spoke against the people “who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans” (2:15).

If Jesus were to write letters to the Christian churches today, what wrong, unbiblical teaching would he point to as false teaching? What issues have Christian churches spoken for or against that do not follow the truth of Scripture? What issues have churches grown quiet about, refusing to address in sermons or Bible study? 

What did Jesus instruct the pastor to tell the compromised in Pergamum?

Jesus instructed those who had fallen away from his truth to “repent,” a word that means to “stop and go the other direction.” Jesus told those who followed the teaching of the Nicolaitans, “Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth” (Revelation 2:16). The words of Jesus, our Scripture, is a “two-edged sword” which means it cuts in every direction. Jesus taught that a Christian’s most potent weapon in a culture of multiple gods is the truth of God.

Aren’t we seeing that in our own culture today? The quiet and softened messages from the pulpit might not ruffle feathers, but they also don’t stir the waters of the baptistry with people who understand their need to “repent” and be saved. Truth doesn’t have to be a weapon. Still, as the writer of Hebrews makes clear: “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The powerful word of God leads people to seek repentance when they understand their great need of salvation.

Most preachers don’t want to “step on toes,” but let’s face it: a GREAT sermon cuts to our hearts and causes us to consider our own thinking and intentions. It makes us want to repent, turn from wrong habits and ideas, and turn toward God instead.

He who has an ear . . .

Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it” (Revelation 2:17).

Jesus told those who would hear, understand, and obey that they could “conquer.” The truth isn’t just powerful for the Christians who will speak it, but also for those who will accept it. Listening to Jesus and following his word means, as Paul pointed out, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

Jesus told the church in Pergamum that he would give them “some hidden manna” and “a white stone, with a new name written on the stone.” We don’t know exactly what Jesus meant, but it’s possible that he was referring to the manna that Moses “hid” in the ark of the covenant to remind God’s people of his abiding grace, power, and faithfulness. 

A white stone was often used in the first century as an invitation to a wedding, banquet, or important gathering. Only those with the correct white stone were allowed to enter. Jesus will place a new name and identity on the person who accepts his “invitation.” It’s possible that Jesus was saying to those who would repent and faithfully follow the new covenant gospel that they could now walk daily knowing that Jesus will hand us a “white stone” that invites us into heaven, our new home.

To those who “have an ear to hear,” will you allow Jesus’ word to Pergamum to be a “sharp two-edged sword” that you will faithfully obey, share, and teach as his word of truth? We live in a culture that worships personal truth more than perfect, biblical truth. Compromising biblical truth wasn’t the right choice for Pergamum and isn’t the right choice for Christians today.

The mystery of Christ’s return and marriage

I was reading my youngest son, Craig’s, First15 devotional (If you haven’t tried it you should!). Craig was writing about the promise of Christ’s return and said, “He’s so overjoyed to walk in relationship with you right now, but like you, he longs for something greater. Like a bridegroom patiently awaits the marriage ceremony, he’s waiting, expectant for what is to come.” That sentence gave me pause for a couple of reasons. First, I have never spent a great deal of time thinking about how Jesus feels about his return. Second, those thoughts made me think about God’s mandates for the marriage relationship in a new way, as it relates to the end times.

We have heard Bible lessons, sermons, and often thought about Christ’s second coming. The emphasis is usually about the hope we have as we wait for Jesus to return. Revelation teaches us that when Jesus comes again we will go to heaven and experience the glory of eternal life. We don’t know very much about heaven. Scripture is amazingly limited on the subject and I’ve often wondered why. I think it would be easier to speak and teach about salvation if I had a few more details to promise people. Scripture tells us some things about heaven and they are all good. But, what is God serving at the banquet? What will the mansion look like? Are the streets truly gold or just gold in color? And, how will we talk with others? What about the relationships we will have eternally with our spouses, our friends, our family?

I imagine heaven is too complex for an earthly mind to comprehend. I don’t think we own the right vocabulary for God to explain heaven. How does a person explain trigonometry to a two-year-old . . . who speaks a different language? I don’t know very much about heaven, but I know everything I need to know. Heaven is real. Heaven is eternal. And heaven is the place where we will know Jesus face to face, in his glory. Craig’s devotional caused me to think about why Jesus is so anxious for us to be there. Jesus is excited for us to gain heaven, and he is looking forward to being with us in a perfect, sinless, brand new relationship. He endured his time on earth and his suffering in death to make sure we could go to heaven. Eternal life is the greatest gift Jesus could give us and he loved us. Even we want to give our best gifts to the people we love. Of course Jesus wanted us to have heaven!

That led to my second thought. I’ve been doing some extra teaching and speaking lately. I typically speak from an outline and pray that the Holy Spirit will fill in the rest. Lately, I’ve heard myself referring to the marriage relationship and God’s call for people to remain virgins until marriage. When that subject comes up I see a lot of discomfort in the young faces in front of me. God’s word is very clear about the marriage relationship, but most young people don’t believe those verses are relevant any more.

A recent CNN article reported, “Eighty percent of unmarried evangelical young adults (18–29) said that they have had sex.” That number is probably low based on those who choose not to admit it. Evangelical young adults are the people we see in churches and Bible studies each week, and at least eighty percent of them are not remaining virgins until marriage. Does that still matter to God, and how does that relate to our eternal relationship with Jesus?

Craig’s First15 referred to the passage Christ gave us about his second coming. Revelation 21:2 says, “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” The picture from Revelation of Jesus’ return is that of a bridegroom waiting for his bride. That picture was meant to describe the beginning of a new and wonderfully close relationship we will have with Jesus after his second coming. That passage assumes people would understand the difference between a relationship before and after marriage.

Marriage is God’s plan for our lives because it is the closest explanation we have for our relationship with Christ on earth, versus our relationship with him in heaven. Thinking about Jesus, waiting for his bride, the Church, with the same anticipation a virgin groom feels, waiting for his virgin bride on their wedding day, is the most accurate description Scripture could give for the way Jesus is waiting for us today.

Maybe all of us need to spend a little more time emphasizing the sanctity and importance of marriage. We won’t be popular. We probably won’t be considered “relevant.” But we will be teaching the important truth of God’s word. God wanted people to understand our eternal relationship with Jesus. Biblical marriage was the best way for us to understand how Jesus anticipates our eternal relationship together in eternity, but also our present relationship with him on earth.

We are waiting. We wait with joy, we wait with longing, we wait with hope and expectation. And Jesus feels the same way about waiting for us. We are supposed to be waiting. Christians need to stay pure in our earthly relationships out of gratitude and obedience to our eternal “bridegroom.” I think Jesus wants us to start talking about “virginity” a little more often. God’s position has not changed, but the church’s position quietly has. We are often choosing not to offend, but, what is the cost of going silent on this subject? The next time it comes up, pray and ask God for the words he wants you to speak.

There is an eternal reason for a biblical theology of marriage. Hang on to God’s truth, for heaven’s sake.

This article was originally published on March 7, 2017.

One Word That Makes All the Difference

The word is “whatever.”  Interestingly, that word was labeled one of the top five annoying words in 2016. The meaning of the word depends a lot on the attitude behind the person using it. The Bible uses the word whatever about 173 times, depending on your translation and, when the word is used biblically, it makes all the difference.

God used the word whatever in the very beginning to show us the difference between human beings and the rest of creation. People were created in the image of God and he honored us with the power of choice.  He had just finished creating all the living things on earth and he brought them to Adam. Scripture says, “Whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name” (Genesis 2:19).

Imagine if God had presented those animals for Adam to name, but Adam felt he had something better to do. Adam could have glanced at all those animals and flippantly tossed his hand saying “whatever” and a trip to the zoo would be a much different experience.

Almost every time the word “whatever” is used, it’s because we have a choice to make. God created everything, but only human beings were created in his image, with the ability to choose. Whatever happens today, we can choose to look and act like God’s unique and powerful children or something less. The whatever verses in Scripture will help us choose what is best.

God instructed Moses to consecrate the altar saying, “Whatever touches the altar shall become holy” (Exodus 29:37). Those words give added meaning to the moment when the veil of the temple was torn, from top to bottom. Only God could have done that and only the death of Christ could make that holy altar available to everyone.  Whatever touches the altar of God is made holy, and Jesus gave everyone access to the altar. What do you need to bring to his altar today?

Later the Apostle Paul taught one of the most important things we can bring to God’s altar is our thoughts. If our thoughts are made holy, our actions will follow. Philippians 4:8 is possibly the best use of the word whatever in the Bible. The verse says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

When we take our thoughts to the altar of God, He will make them holy. What are holy thoughts?

  • God will make our thoughts true and separate them from the lies we might have believed.
  • Our thoughts will honor God and his purpose
  • Our thoughts will be just and we can see things with God’s perfect judgment
  • God can remove whatever is making our thoughts dark and purify them with his holiness
  • God can change our ugly thoughts to ideas and opinions that are lovely
  • Our thoughts can often condemn us and others. God can make them commendable instead.
  • God can make every thought excellent and worthy of praise.

So, whatever plans you have made for the day, remember that God created you with the ability to choose his holiness and Jesus provided everything you need to attain it. The altar is right in front of you, and the curtain is wide open. Whatever will you choose to do?