Letters to the Seven Churches in Asia REVELATION

Letters to the Seven Churches in Asia REVELATION 2 – 3

Review Foundation – The Biblical Church ◦ Keep the unity of the Faith Ephesus ◦ Diligently working church, evangelism, must have love Smyrna ◦ Be faithful until death, live for Christ, Paul’s thoughts on our rights

The Letter to Pergamos REVELATION 2: 12 – 17 3

Consider the description of Jesus in Rev 2: 12. Do you see any connection with this description and the church at Pergamos? He who has the sharp two-edged sword Hebrews 4: 12 – the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than double-edged sword Ephesians 6: 17 – the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God Maybe 2 Thess 2: 8 – The Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth ◦ Since in Rev 1: 16 the two-edged sword went out of His mouth and in Rev 2: 16 it is called the sword of My mouth The word of the Lord is binding (doctrine) ◦ The word of the Lord establishes what is right ◦ The word of the Lord is what we are judged by Some of them were following the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans ◦ They were not keeping themselves pure to the Lord’s instruction and because of that were subject to the destruction caused by His word 4

What do you think Pergamos was like with regards to Christians? Why do you think this? Names used to describe Pergamos (vs. 13) “I know…where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. ” ◦ “Where Satan dwells” ◦ Actions against Christians (vs. 13) ◦ “Anitpas was my faithful martyr, who was killed among you” 5

What do you think Pergamos was like with regards to Christians? Why do you think this? Antipas was my faithful martyr ◦ Persecution of Christians to the point of death Satan’s throne, where Satan dwells ◦ Evil in persecutions, idolatry, sexual immorality (vs. 13 -14) 6

What positive actions were the Christians at Pergamos known for, despite being persecuted? Jesus knows their works (which are good) and where they dwell (which is evil) ◦ To be known by God in this manner is special ◦ I Cor 8: 3 – if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him ◦ II Tim 2: 19 – the Lord knows those who are His ◦ Gal 4: 9 – now that you come to know God, or rather be known by God ◦ Jn 10: 14, 27 – I know them, and they follow Me You hold fast to My name ◦ Firm in their devotion despite the evil around them ◦ Being in the world, but not of the world – Jn 15: 19, 17: 14 -16, I Cor 5: 9 -10, Romans 12: 2 Did not deny my faith ◦ Maintained sound doctrine despite persecution ◦ Matt 10: 33, Mark 8: 38, I Jn 2: 22 -23 7

Describe the doctrine of Balaam. Where else do we read about the doctrine of Balaam? Vs. 14 – Balaam taught Balak to put a stumbling block in the way of God’s people ◦ To eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality ◦ Numbers 31: 13 -17 ◦ Result in Numbers 25: 1 -9 24, 000 died in plague Character of Balaam II Peter 2: 15 – Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness ◦ Jude 11 – have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit 8

Discussed Nicolaitans with Ephesus No definitive answer Possibly get some information from Revelation 2: 14 -15. Possible associations with eating things sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality ◦ For consideration (more than one thing to think about for these topics) ◦ I Cor 8: 1 -13 ◦ Idol is nothing, but don’t let your liberty be a stumbling block to others ◦ I Cor 10: 19 -32 ◦ Do not have fellowship with demons ◦ Sexual immorality was part of the idolatrous worship in Ephesus ◦ Work of the flesh – Gal 5: 19 -21 ◦ Balaam: Numbers 25: 1 -2 people committed harlotry with the women of Moab, and bowed down to their gods, ◦ II Pet 2: 14 -15 – Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness 9

What were they told to do and what is the consequence if they don’t? Verse 16 Repent, or else I…will fight against them with the sword of My mouth Jesus becomes the adversary to the ones holding to the doctrines of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans Punishment is toward those who are doing evil, but the rebuke is to the church ◦ The church must strive for all to be pleasing to God 10

How do we practically apply the Pergamos letter to make sure the church at Northside is pleasing to God? We must be faithful even if we find ourselves in an evil place, government, society, set of laws, etc. ◦ Example: Lot in Sodom – Gen 19: 9 Lot known to be righteous ◦ We cannot compromise our obedience to God ◦ We can be there, but it might be a tough life as a Christian ◦ Keep in mind Rom 13: 1 -7, II Pet 2: 13 -17 – be subject to authority Cannot be taken in by the lusts and sins around us ◦ Must be on guard because there is ample opportunity to do evil around us (Jn 15: 19, 17: 14 -16, I Cor 5: 9 -10, Romans 12: 2) ◦ Surround ourselves with good – I Cor 15: 33 evil company corrupts good morals ◦ Immerse yourself in the word of God – I Tim 4: 13 -16 take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them 11

How do we practically apply the Pergamos letter to make sure the church at Northside is pleasing to God? We can deny God by our actions and associations, and our lack of love for others ◦ Must maintain a good influence and represent Jesus ◦ What type of people do your co-workers know you as We must look out for one another ◦ James 5: 19 -20 he who turns a sinner from the error of his ways, saves a soul from death ◦ I Peter 4: 7 love will cover a multitude of sins ◦ Example of Randy asking how you are doing spiritually ◦ We must know each other in order to know if someone is struggling 12