117. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 12: Church #3 - Pergamos

Revelation 2:14-17

 

The goal was to spend one week per church, but we are taking a week to catch up. Pergamos teaches us that we should not grow comfortable in the world or begin to tolerate ungodliness. The world uses harsh persecution, false teaching, subtle enticement, and many other tactics to draw us away from Christ, but we must allow the truth of God’s Word to cut through the lies of society. If we stay faithful to God, we will be filled and we will find our identity in Him.

 

 

Pergamos: the Lax church

  I. The Location (literal local church)

• • The capital of Asia Minor, seat of authority
  • In the course of the world and of geopolitics
  • The church was prone to be mixed with the world
  • Many compromised to join the culture’s welcome (verse)
  • One of the greatest dangers of the Pergamos mentality is the subtle lie that if you live your life totally devoted to God, it will be a waste
  • In some ways, persecution is easier to bear because it is direct opposition, whereas the tendency to compromise and give into a welcoming environment can be harder in some cases I really think

 II. The Likeness of Christ

• • God’s Word discerns our hearts

III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings)

• • The good, after Christ and good examples
    • Holding fast the name of Christ
    • Not denying the faith
    • Antipas, the faithful martyr - look at him, he was all-in for the Lord and look where it got him, it cost him his life… what a waste… but God praises him and uses his example as a model and a mentor that we should follow. It is good to have godly role models and be 1
  • The bad, described in doctrine
    • Doctrine of Balaam - idolatry of the heart
    • Doctrine of the Nicolaitans - clergy rules the laity

IV. The Lineup in Church History (representative)

• • Following the persecution, the church became accepted in Rome
  • This church mirrors the time period from roughly AD 300-600
  • The church became accepted and adopted elements of the world

 V. The Lesson for us (type of church)

• • Repent of the comfortableness with the world
  • The Word of God cuts through the error of society
  • The saved will be filled and will find a new identity in Christ