12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 

Revelation 2:12-17

14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 

Revelation 2:12-17

16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Revelation 2:12-17

The Compromising Church – The Church at

Pergamum

Revelation 2:12-17

Introduction

Introduction – Background to Pergamum

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

Revelation 2:12

Christ is calling the church to stand firm with Him and not compromise to sin and things of this world. 

Main Idea

I. To the church that is commended (vs 13)  II. To the church that compromises (vs 14-16) III. To the church that conquers (vs 17)

Outline

Revelation 2:13

13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 

I. To the church that is commended

Revelation 2:14-1514 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 

II. To the church that compromises

Numbers 22-24Balak was the king of Moab in the time of Moses

Balaam was a famous oracle (holy man) who lived in Pethor on the Euphrates river

II. To the church that compromises

He led Israel into sin in order to take them out of God’s favor, recognizing that this was the only way to destroy them (Num. 31:16).

If you cannot turn the LORD from His people, turn the people from their LORD.

II. To the church that compromises

Balaam’s promotion of food offered to idols means promotion of syncretism

Later, the men of Israel were judged by God for idolatry and committing fornication with Moabite women (Num 25:1-9). As it turned out, this was the result of a plot from Balak to corrupt Israel from within

II. To the church that compromises

Are we influencing the world with the kingdom’s values, or are we embracing the world’s values where they conflict with those of the kingdom?

II. To the church that compromises

Revelation 2:1616 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 

II. To the church that compromises

Revelation 2:17

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

III. To the church that conquers

To those who overcome Jesus promises both the “hidden manna” and a “white stone with a new name written on it”

III. To the church that conquers