Theme: “Letters to the Churches: What is the Lord saying to us?”
Topic: The Church in Pergamos: A Call to Repentance
Main Text: Revelation 2:12-17
Key verse: Revelation 2:16 “Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
Introduction:
In the letter to the church at Pergamos, we see Jesus as pictured as a just Judge (v13) who commends his people for their faithfulness (v13), rebukes compromise (v14-15), and commands repentance with a warning for those who refuse and a promise of restored relationship for the penitent. There are many valuable lessons in this short letter! Pergamos was the political capital of Asia Minor and a noted center for culture and education, yet it was deep into paganism, being described by one writer as being “given to idolatry more than all Asia. Pergamos was where the worship of the emperor began. It was especially known as a center for the worship of the deity known as Asclepius, the so-called god of healing and knowledge, represented by a serpent. There was a medical school at his temple in Pergamos to which sick and diseased people from all over the Roman Empire flocked for relief. In many ways, Pergamos was a stronghold of Satanic power. It was not easy to be a Christian in Pergamos. Believers faced significant pressure to compromise or abandon their faith. Despite living in such a challenging city, the Christians of Pergamos held fast to their faith in Jesus and were commended for it. At least one who stood his ground, Antipas, was killed for his unyielding faithfulness. Nothing is known about Antipas except that he did not compromise. He was faithful and died for his faith. However, some in the church compromised and tolerated those who taught or practiced what Christ “hated”. For this, the church was sharply rebuked and called to repent. The Lord calls us to be faithful to him, whatever the circumstances.
Q1. Read Ephesians 6:17, Heb 4:12-13, Rev 1:16, 2:12 (1a)What does the two-edged sword represent? Why do you think Christ described himself as he did to the church at Pergamos? (1b)Why was the church commended? (1c) Antipas is mentioned nowhere else in Scripture or history. How does knowing that Jesus knew the situation of the church in such detail, and mentioned one by name, make you feel as a believer?
Paragraph 2:
The Christians in Pergamos were rightly commended for holding fast to the name of Jesus and maintaining His faith. However, their difficult environment did not excuse the few things that Jesus had against them. The sin of Balaam (Numbers 22:22-25, 31:15-16) was particularly grievous to God. Balaam was a prototype of all corrupt teachers. He knew that a curse against Israel wouldn’t work because God had blessed them. However, if the people fell into sin, then God Himself would punish them for that; His blessing would be stripped away. Balaam counselled King Balak to cause Israel to sin through sexual immorality, which led to idol worship. The impact was devastating for Israel. Balaam was supposed to be a servant of God, but instead, he used his influence to devise schemes against God’s people through worldly influences that were already there. Sexual immorality was pervasive in the culture of the ancient Roman Empire. The Nicolaitans also taught license, a perversion of the liberty in Christ, that led to sexual immorality and idolatry. As in our world today, the person who lived by Biblical standards of purity was considered strange. Note that Jesus’ rebuke was not only against those who held the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans; it was also against those who allowed it to continue. There is room for differences of opinion among Christians in some areas, but there is no room for heresy and moral impurity. We are required to stand and speak out against what Jesus hates, not keep quiet to “keep the peace”.
Q2. Read Numbers 25:1-4, 31:16, 1 Cor 6:18, 1 Thess 4:3-5, 2 Pt 2:15-16. (2a) Why is it important that the church take a strong stand against sexual immorality? (2b) How can we protect the church against the Balaams and Nicolaitans of our day? (2c) Discuss how we can protect our young people from the seduction of the prevailing culture of sexual immorality.
Paragraph 3:
The dictionary defines repentance as “the feeling of sorrow and regret for something wrong that has been done” or “the fact of showing that you are very sorry for something bad you have done in the past and wish that you had not done it”. However, turning to the Bible, we find that repentance has a much deeper meaning. It involves a turning away from sin and turning towards God, a change of mind, heart, and behavior. Repentance, therefore, is not just a feeling of remorse and sorrow, but a conscious decision to change direction, seeking forgiveness from God, striving for a transformed life, and making a commitment to pursue a different path. Examples of genuine repentance abound in both the Old and New Testaments.
Q3. Read 2 Sam 12:5-13, Luke 15:17-21, Acts 9:1-5, 20-22 (3a) Discuss, giving reasons, whether you believe there was genuine repentance in each case. (3b) Why do believers sometimes find it difficult to turn to God in repentance? (3c) What are the consequences, for a believer, of not repenting? What are the rewards of repentance? Consider Ezekiel 3:16-21 and Rev 2:16-17 in your answer.
Prayer: Lord, help me to have the humility and contrite heart to repent whenever I err. May I always acknowledge my sinfulness and seek your forgiveness, in order to enjoy that sweet fellowship with the Holy Spirit.