Complete English translation
Find out what Jesus said to this church and how we can take valuable lessons to live in the temptations of the modern world.
In the book of Revelation, Jesus gave a message to seven churches, including the church in Pergamus. These seven churches are the journey of God's church since the resurrection of Jesus until the end of time. Each of these messages is not only relevant for the churches at that time, but also has a meaning for us as part of the body of Christ in the present.
Outpouring
Holy Spirit
The End of Time
The Apostles
100
Christianity
State Religion
312
Beginning
Catholic Church
606
Beginning
Protestant Reformation
33
•
1517
Great Awakening
Churches of God
1750
Ephesus
Smirna
Apostolic Church
The Suffering Church
+ Hard work & persevere + Difficult, poor, persecuted + Reject the wrong teaching but rich in God - Leaving the first love2x - Nothing
Pergamus
The Compromise Church
+ Steadfast & faithful - Marry the world
Thiatira
Sardis
Corrupt Church
+ Love, Faith, Service, Diligent
- Tolerance towards sin
- The Influence of Izebel
The Dead Church
+ Remaining number - Alive but dead in god's eyes
Philadelphia
Faithful Church
+ Faithful to the Word
+ Do not deny God - There is none "Progressive" Church
Liberalism
In this topic, we will focus on discussing the Pergamus Church.
1900s Laodikia
The Church of Pergamus is a church that compromises with worldly values. To research accurately, we will use an English translation that is more precise than the Indonesian translation
The Apostate Church
+ None - Not really2x - Poor, poor, poor, 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:
13 1 know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold firmly to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.
15 So you too, have some who in the same way hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.
The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it?
Explanation of God's Glasses:
Sharp two-edged sword:
Sharp double-edged sword = God's Word that pierces very deeply, judging our minds and hearts (Hebrews 4:12) • You hold firmly to My name and did not deny My faith:
Persevere and be faithful to faith in Jesus. See Matthew 10:32-33 and remember the Lesson of Truth (Truth/Emet).
Teaching of Balaam:
Not directly resisting but infiltrating and influencing. Use Bible learning techniques: Hyperlink to Numbers 22-25.
Teaching of the Nicolaitans:
The origin of the word Nikos = conquering, Laos/Laity = people. Conquer/control the church congregation with teachings outside the Word.
I (Jesus) will wage war against THEM with the sword of My mouth:
Reflection material, who are the "them" that Jesus fought with His Word? Clue: Reread verses 13 & 16 slowly, who is "you"?
• To the one who overcomes (conquer):
This world is under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19), what does it mean that we "conquer"? Clue: The Kingdom of God.
Some of the hidden manna:
The true Manna is Jesus (Word) -> see the teachings of the True Manna on the Kacamatanya Tuhan website. So what does it mean when is someone given a part of the hidden Word? See Proverbs 25:2, Daniel 12:9, Matthew 13:11, and Colossians 1:26
A White Stone:
There is an object called Urim & Tumim (Exodus 28:30) which is used by the high priest to get God's decision.
Jewish tradition argues that Urim is a white stone that symbolizes "Yes" and Tumim is a colored stone black which means "No". Evidence that Urim & Tumim are used to ask for God's decision which is "Yes/No" or binary can be seen in the story of Saul and David (1 Samuel 14:41, 1 Samuel 23:9-12, and 1 Samuel 30:7-8) → Proverbs 16:33 A new name only known to the one who receives it:
God can change someone's name, for example: Abram became Abraham (Gen 17:5), Sarai became Sarah (Gen 17:15), Jacob became Israel (Gen 32:28), Hoshea became Joshua (Bil 13:16), Simon became Peter/Kephas (John 1:42), and Saul became Paul (Acts 13:9).
There are interesting similarities to these name changes:
1. Their new name reflects God's plan in their lives.
2. Their new name was obtained after "winning" because of their faith in God.
3. Their new name was given by God when they were still alive, not later at the end of their lives.
CONCLUSION:
1. God's Word is amazing, we need to investigate it carefully.
2. God is love, He always protects His people who hold on to Him.
3. We can win and get rewards from God right now, not only in Heaven.
Reference Source:
- Cornerstone Chapel Teaching: Book of Revelation
- Gary Hamrick's Sermon: The Priesthood & Jesus
- Wisdom from above (James 3:13-17) here is a revised version of the article text:
- Wisdom from above (James 3:13-17) this text has been edited for grammatical accuracy, readability, and adherence to standard English Bible-book names.