THE CHURCH OF PERGAMOS AND THYATIRA

Revelation 2:12-29

Lesson 5

INTRODUCTION: When the Church of Jesus Christ becomes popular, trouble always follows close on its heal.  History seems to point out the fact that popularity brings a loss of spirituality as dependence upon God is replaced by dependence upon self.

         I.      Events which lead to the position of acceptance and popularity

a.        Constantine the Great was Emperor of Rome, and the war in which he was engaged, at that time, was going badly.

b.       He claimed he saw a cross in the sky, and over the cross were the words, “in this sign shalt thou conquer.”  The pagan King figured victory was his if all would believe in this sign.

c.        Constantine was victorious and professed to become a follower of Christ and forced his army to be baptized, declaring Christianity to be the religion of the Roman Empire eventually.

d.       Now it was popular to be a Christian, and the money of the state was soon finding its way into the coffers of the Church (312 to 500 A.D).

       II.      The name of the Church and description of the speaker (Vs. 12)

a.        The name Pergamos means “height or exalted and also carries the thought of marriage.”

1.        Let us remember that this was a local Church actually in existence when addressed.

a)   It was north of Smyrna and about 20 miles from the Mediterranean Sea.

b)  It was a wealthy city, full of idol worship and center of many pagan cults.

c)   It was a center of learning and had a 200,000 volume library later sent to Cleopatra by Anthony.

2.        Foiled in his efforts to stamp out the Church, an effort was made by means of corruption.

3.        With the wealth of the Roman Empire at the disposal of the Church, it didn’t take long to bring in corruption.

b.       Description of the speaker

1.        The sharp sword spoken of here is the Word of God (Heb. 4:12). 

2.        Note, the sword is drawn and ready for action.

a)   The sword speaks of Christ fighting against evil.

b)  He does this by exposing and judging win with His Word.

c)   The sword, or God’s Word, is the instrument of death.

     III.      They are commended for works (Vs. 13).

a.        “I know thy works.”

1.        They are commended for two things in particular.Y

a)   You hold fast my Name.

b)  You have not denied my faith.

2.        This no doubt referred to the Nicean Council

3.        The Church was rocked by the denial of the Deity of Christ.

a)   After much debate and dramatic appearance of a hermit from Africa they voted to confess the true Deity of Christ our Lord.

b)  Hence the Church was saved from this heresy.

b.       “Even where Satan’s throne is”

1.        This no doubt refers to the Church of which Constantine was the head.

2.        On a local scene it no doubt referred to the Satanic power in the evil religious character of a city given over to idol worship.

c.        “Anitpas was my faithful martyr”

1.        We have no record of this man anywhere else in scripture.

2.        His name means “against all” and possibly stood for those who remained uncompromising.

     IV.      The charge against Pergamos ( Vs. 14,15)

a.        Held to the doctrine of Balaam (Num. 22-25)

1.        In Numbers we find that Balaam showed Balak, king of Moab, how to defeat Israel

a)   Balaam was a prophet of God, but money was more important than service.

b)  The King had offered a large sum of money if Balaam would curse these Israelites and bless his efforts against them.

c)   Balaam recognized the Israelites as Gods people and he couldn’t curse them.  But he showed Balak how to defeat the people so God’s wrath would be upon them.

2.        Balaam told Balak to get the Israelites to marry the women of the Moabities.

3.        This would defile their separation and the women would lead the men into idol worship and pagan rituals with them. This is exactly what happened.

b.       The Church of Pergamos fell into the same sin.

1.        The union of Church and State brought about an alliance with the world and spiritual chastity was defiled (II Cor. 6:17).

a)   They were dwelling where Satan’s throne is, and that is in the world.

b)  God’s judgment resulted, and they lost fellowship, testimony, and spirituality

c.        They held the deeds of the Nicolaitans (Vs 15).

1.        Again such men as Dr. Walvoord feel this could refer to a group that allowed free love and participation in heathen feast.

2.        Many more feel this was the setting up of a distinct class of men as priest (Rev.1:6).

a)   This resulted in the denial of common priesthood of all believers  remembering all born again believers have access to the throne of God (Heb 4:14). 

b)  The Nicolaitans claimed only the clergy could approach the throne and pray.

       V.      An appeal for repentance and reward for faithfulness Vs. 16,17)

a.        The appeal for repentance

1.        God calls His children to repentance for He is merciful.

2.        As His children when we get involved in wrong things, God will give us an opportunity to right the wrong. (I John 1:9)

b.       The result of not repenting is found in Hebrews 12:5-11 “Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth”

c.        The promise to the over comer (Vs. 17)

1.        To “eat of the hidden manna”

a)   The promise here is that believers will have sweet and blessedcommunion with Christ who was Himself an over comer.

2.        “A white stone and a new name”

a)   A white stone was given to those acquitted by the courts and a black stone to those condemned.

b)  This stone expresses the Lord’s delight in each who is an over comer

c)   The secret name refers to a secret communication of love and intelligence between Christ and the over comer.

d)  In this period of time special invitations were sometimes put on a white stone and sent to the invited guest.

     VI.      The period covered by the message to Thyatirea began in 500 – 1600 A.D. and will continue until destroyed during the tribulation.

a.        Remember that the Revelation of Jesus Christ is a prophetic Book and hence we believe contains that in keeping with its character.

b.       Now as in the case of the other letters this was addressed to an actual Church.

1.        Thyatira was a small thriving town located about 40 miles from Pergamos.

2.        Only one other mention is made of Thyatira in the Bible and occurs in Acts 16:14-16 where the conversion of Lydia, a seller of purple, is recorded.

c.        The name “Thyatira” means “continuous sacrifice.”

1.        All was not well in Thyatira and to this little Church is addressed a very severe letter.

d.       When we mention continuous sacrifice, our attention is focused upon the Mass of the Roman Catholic Church. 

1.        In the Mass, Christ is crucified over and over.

2.        In the communion they believe the wafer and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ. 

3.        Yet our Lord cried on the Cross, “It is finished” and He meant it for all.

e.        The description of the speaker  (Vs 18)

1.        “The Son of God” Jesus Christ speaks here of Himself. 

a)   Not the son of Mary, but the Son of God (Isa. 9:6)

2.        He is the head of the Church, and His features indicate His power.

a)   His eyes like fire search out sin.

b)  His feet shall trample in judgment what His eyes search out

   VII.      The commendation of Thyatira (Vs 19)

a.        How graciously God commends these Christians for their works, love, service and then mentions works again.

1.        Thyatira alone is commended for its love and works.  

2.        God had a faithful few during this period and it would appear that those who were faithful were choice servants of God.

 VIII.      The things against those in Thyatira (Vs 20,21)

            a. Associated with Jezebel

                    1.     Despite all the good that was said of this Church, they were still guilty of terrible sin; and it is this that is now dealt with.

                    2.     In Scripture Jezebel was the wife of an ungodly King Ahab.   

                            a. She was exceedingly sinful and tried to mix Judism and  heathenism into one religion for Israel.

                            b. Four hundred and fifty false prophets ate at her table. (I Kings 18:19)

                    3.     Today Roman Catholicism is a mixture if various religions.

                             a. From Judaism came her Priesthood.

                             b. From Christianity came Mary and Christ.

                             c. From Heathenism came the practice of bowing to images and many feast days and relics of Balism.

            b. The charge is committing fornication (Vs 20c).

                    1. This refers to spiritual fornication (James 4:4).

                             a. To strike up friendship with the world results in spiritual  fornication.

                    2.     The Church of Thyatira did this very thing.

                             a. During the dark ages the Vandals, Huns and Goths over-ran Europe. 

                             b. The Church in a spirit of compromise sought to win them by adopting parts of the idolatrous religion.

            c. Idols in the Church

                    1.     The patron saints play an important role, and many are prayed to and bowed before.

                    2.     God hates this idol worship (Ex. 20:4,5)

                    3.     Some say they don’t worship idols, but prayer and bended knee  indicate an attitude of worship.

            d. She repented not.

                    1.     God raised up men to warn here like Luther and John Calvin and many others.

    IX.      God’s warning for not repenting (Vs 22,23)

a.        Cast her into tribulation

1.        Her worshippers won’t take part in the first resurrection

b.       Three classes to be cast in if there is no repentance

1.        “Jezebel” – she won’t repent for the Roman Church claims for itself infallibility.

a)   To repent would be to deny this, and we see this system destroyed in Rev. 17.

2.        “Those who traffic with her” refers to those who associate with her as in Rev. 17:2.

3.        ”Her children”

a)   Those who tolerate evil in their midst

b)  Rome is calling her children to her today and many apostate denomations are not as far away as one may think.           

      X.      God’s comfort and encouragement

a.        Remember some had remained true to God

1.        Like the Waldenses of the 13^th century

2.        They were persecuted terribly and yet stood for God and His Word and remained true.

b.       Hold fast “till I come” (I Cor. 11:26)

1.        No hope is here held up that the Church will usher in the millennium.

2.        Note the eyes of the faithful are to be turned toward heaven.

3.        God’s people are to be waiting, looking and longing for His return (Titus 2:13).

    XI.      The reward for over coming (Vs 26-29)

a.        “Keepeth my works till the end”

1.        The believer is to have no part in Jezebel works

2.        Rather the works of God are for the child of God (Eph. 2:10, Tit.3:8).

b.       I will give power over nations (Vs 26,27).

1.        Rome has always sought power over nations.

2.        What the world seeks, Jesus gives His children. “We shall reign with Him.”

c.        I will give Him the morning star ( Vs 28).           

1.        Christ is the morning star (Rev. 22:16).

2.        A pretribulation truth

a)   The morning star will appear before the Sun of Righteousness.

b)  He will come to His bride as the morning star.

c)   Then He will come to Israel as the Son of Righteousness.