Scripture Focus (Revelation 2:12-17) – “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of Him who has the sharp two-edged sword.13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast 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. 14 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. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 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.”
I. The Mighty King’s Authoritative Message (Revelation 2:12)
A. Through the spokesman – “And to the angel of the church…”
B. To the saints – “…of the church in Pergamum…”
C. From the Word – “…write: ‘The words of Him who has the sharp two-edged sword.’”
II. The Committed Remnant’s Commendable Stand (Revelation 2:13)
A. Christ knew their challenging culture – “I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is.”
B. Christ marked their steadfast loyalty – “Yet you hold fast My name, and you did not deny My faith…”
C. Christ chronicled individual sacrifice – “…even in the days of Antipas My faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.”
III. The Intolerable Practices Swept Under The Rug (Revelation 2:14-15)
A. This was no small issue (Revelation 2:14a) – “But I have a few things against you…”
B. They allowed contamination in the well (Revelation 2:14b) – “…you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel…”
Balaam was an Old Testament prophet who marketed his ministry to the highest bidder, cared nothing for God’s truth and placed God’s people in great jeopardy (Numbers 22-24)
C. Their testimony and victory were in jeopardy (Revelation 2:14c) -“…so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.”
D. The battle was no longer contained to one front (Revelation 2:15) – “So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.”
IV. The Lord Of Truth Offering Hope (Revelation 2:16-17)
A. His command to them (Revelation 2:16a) – “Therefore repent.”
B. His commitment to them (Revelation 2:16b) – “If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of My mouth.”
C. His confidence in them (Revelation 2:17) – “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.”