14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Revelation2:14-16
Pergamum had long been a capital city and was once famous for its great library (the word "parchment" is derived from "Pergamum" *) and culture with a temple to Zeus and Asclepsios. Pergamum was also the administrative centre of Asia Minor, making it the place where Caesar worship was promoted and enforced from. This is why Jesus identifies it as the place "where Satan has his throne."
Jesus commends them for being faithful - they live (without running away) in the most dangerous city in Asia Minor. Even when Antipas, one of their leaders, was martyred - they continued to "hang in there."
But there is a concern: Jesus is concerned that they are being tempted to compromise - Baalam and the Nicolaitians are one and the same - both promoted having an "open mind" toward idols and sexual immorality. This form compromise had two key thoughts:
"Go with the flow - don't make waves" and
"If it feels good - do it."
Jesus is greatly concerned at their compromise - He is concerned that they have lost their grip on the truth. Keeping ourselves away from idols and away from licentious living are core-values for those who have their eyes on Christ.
The threat against the church in Pergamum is probably the most relevant to us today. We have a strong history of giants of the faith who have taken their stand, but day-to-day the thoughts and value systems of everyday Christians are being eroded as we are tempted by the idols of wealth, materialism and social acceptance. And while this is going on the media bombards us with sensuality that is far removed from the secure foundation of love and marriage.
Jesus warns that He will come to combat these with the "sword of His mouth" - this is a reference to His Word and we are reminded that solid Biblical Teaching is the antidote to compromise.
Are you clear on where you are being pressured to compromise? If you throw a frog into a pot of hot water, he hops out. Heat the water slowly and he doesn't realise he's in trouble until it's too late...
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* The interesting background here is that Pergamum tried to seduce the leading scholar at the library in Alexandria to come to their library. The Egyptians, enraged at this, refused to export papyrus to Pergamum forcing them to invent parchment.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
