Message To The Church At Pergamos

The church at Smyrna seems to have been relatively small and unknown but they were faithfully doing what God said despite serious persecution.  The church at Ephesus was faithfully following what they had been taught, but mostly out of a sense of duty and habit rather than love.  The Church at Pergamos had gotten caught up in other things but it still appeared to be following the Lord, as we see in Revelation 2:12-13.  “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.”

The church at Pergamos was facing heavy persecution, with little support from the community, and had held firmly to the basic doctrines of Christianity, even when their lives were at risk.  Unfortunately they had allowed themselves to be distracted by some false teachings, as Revelation 2:14 describes.  “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”   

The story of Balaam is found in Numbers 22-24.  He was a prophet of God who became distracted trying to increase his income and influence.  As a result of his teaching, the Moabite king learned how to seduce God’s people and lead them into sin.  Jesus warned “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,“ in Matthew 6:19-21. When we get caught up in earthly possessions and prestige, we forget what our ministry is about. 

The second problem in the church at Pergamos was their attitudes toward their church leaders, as Revelation 2:15 describes.  ”So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.”  The church at Ephesus had been complimented for standing against this teaching that religious leaders were somehow above the regular people, the lay people.  Jesus had commanded that we were nto to have this attitude, in Matthew 20:25-28.  “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Leaders are to set the example for others, but they are not to become little gods to the people.  Jesus said that this was so important that we were to avoid the use of titles that set one person above another, in Matthew 23:8-11.  “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”   When too much emphasis is placed on leaders, people begin to set their opinions ahead of what God said.  Matthew 6:24 warns, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Sooner or later you will be forced to choose between what God said and what the leaders said, or between what God said and what it takes to get material blessings or human approval. 

Revelation 2:16 warned, “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”  God is a jealous God, not willing to share his glory with anyone else, as Deuteronomy 6:13-15 tells us.  “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.  Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.”  To continue to set other things in God’s place, whether it is church leaders or material blessings or fame will bring God’s judgement against us. 

Once again the Lord stressed the importance of paying attention to the message, promising that those who believed in Christ would have a place reserved for them in heaven, in Revelation 2:17.  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”  Our place is carved in stone.