12“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13I 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.
14Nevertheless, 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. 15Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2)
Thoughts: Pergamum had it out of perspective. They thought politicians rule the world. In the end, most of the message of the Book of Revelation is that politicians and worldly powers (emperors, kings, generals) are not the ones in control- but God is.
Pergamum was where the Caesar Emperor Worship began. John was writing secretly- while he was in exile by the Romans. John boldly wrote of Pergamum that it was the place "where Satan had his throne." Today you can see the ruins to the Temple of Trajan there.
Pergamum did a good job resisting Emperor Worship but failed by syncretizing pagan practices with Christianity. Balaam sought to entice the people of Israel with the pagan women. This may not seem like such a big deal, except they were worshipers of Chemosh who required a child sacrifice. The Nicolatans believed that you could do wrong because that makes God's grace look that much stronger and better. But truthfully it abuses God's grace and neglects God's commands. To obey is always better than sacrifice. His call to them was to repent. It is our call as well. In a world gone sexually astray and askew, it is tempting to give into the practice of Balaam or the Nicolaitans.
It is possible to resist one temptation while giving into another.
Pergamum was where the Caesar Emperor Worship began. John was writing secretly- while he was in exile by the Romans. John boldly wrote of Pergamum that it was the place "where Satan had his throne." Today you can see the ruins to the Temple of Trajan there.
Pergamum did a good job resisting Emperor Worship but failed by syncretizing pagan practices with Christianity. Balaam sought to entice the people of Israel with the pagan women. This may not seem like such a big deal, except they were worshipers of Chemosh who required a child sacrifice. The Nicolatans believed that you could do wrong because that makes God's grace look that much stronger and better. But truthfully it abuses God's grace and neglects God's commands. To obey is always better than sacrifice. His call to them was to repent. It is our call as well. In a world gone sexually astray and askew, it is tempting to give into the practice of Balaam or the Nicolaitans.
It is possible to resist one temptation while giving into another.
Ben Sloan at Trajan Temple
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