Thoughts on Revelation 2:12-17...
Jesus here introduces himself, "And to the angel of Pergamum's church write, 'These says he that has the sword.'" That's the way Jesus had appeared to John, to signify his Word's power.
Power's Word was intended to assist the church in Pergamum's pastor in his spot. His testimony wasn't to be weak.
☆ Pastors are to preach the Word as it's written, regardless that their proclamation's to the one life unto life and to the other death unto death. ☆
Jesus describes the scene in Pergamum, "I know your works and where you live, where's Satan's throne; and you've adhered to me even in the days when Antipas was killed in your midst."
The statements that Satan ruled in Pergamum's a reference to idolatry. For the worship of the gods Aesculapius and Zeus Soter was practiced in Pergamum.
This was repulsive to the mission, which condemned all idols and their cult with emphasis as Satan's inventions. Thus the missional church at Pergamum was in a position.
Jesus, therefore, acknowledges the missionaries' faithfulness in adhering to his name, to the confession of their missional faith.
Even when Antipas, Pergamum's bishop, jbecame the first martyr in the church, they didn't flinch, they didn't deny the truth which they'd accepted. For this stand Jesus commends them.
But Jesus tells them, "I've things against you, that you've there such as stick to Balaam's doctrine; likewise you've also such as adhere to the Nocolaitans' doctrine."
Though Jesus had praised Pergamum's church, the rebuke had become necessary. A minority of the church had become contaminated with shame, and the majority's fault was indifference.
Shameful acts were being put up with. Jesus mentions Balaam, who caused Balak, the Moabites' king, to place a trap before Israel by having the Moabite women seduce them into worshiping false gods.
Certain members of Pergamum's church took part in idolatry, the Nicolaitans among them. These errorists were seducing missionaries in the same way as Balaam got the Israelites enticed to ruin.
Jesus' warning, "If you don't repent, I'm coming to you and will battle with them with the sword of my mouth's sword."
The entire church had become guilty for abetting the guilty ones. So Jesus demanded the church's repentance. And should the church delay in this attitude-change, then Jesus will visit them.
With his Word's sword he intends to battle against the shameful. He has ways of awakening witnesses for the truth and of showing all that profess the missional truth that he won't be mocked.
Laxity in missional discipline's a peril for a congregation, for the shame, if unchecked, is bound to spread.
Jesus promises, "Hear what the Spirit tells the churches 'To they that conquer I'll give to eat of the manna, and I'll give him a stone inscribed with a name, which no one knows except the receiver.'"
It's again the Spirit that makes this promise, to missionaries of all times and in every place. To they that conquer, Jesus will give food, hidden manna, Jesus being that food which meets the soul's every need.
As we receive Jesus and his blessings through grace's means here in time, so we'll afterward, in heaven, on the Sabbath, enjoy his glory in its fullness.
There the missionaries will also get a stone, which testifies to their faith. As their names were written in God, so they're here written on eternity, where they'll see God's adoption through Jesus' love.
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