Revelation 2:12-17 Q1: HOW Do You Remain “IN” the WORLD, Without Being “OF” the WORLD? DESTINATION: Pergamum

Revelation 2:12-17 Q1: HOW do you remain “IN” THE WORLD, without being “OF” THE WORLD? DESTINATION: Pergamum

• Renown for extravagant altar of Zeus Soter (Savior) and temple of Athena. • Likely the center for Emperor worship. • Possessed the 2nd largest library in the world at the time. • Likely worshipped Athena, Asclepius, Dionysus, Zeus. • Asclepius (god of healing) snake symbol. • Produced a special parchment paper. • First temple dedicated to Caesar. • One of the seven wonders of ancient world ASCLEPIAN MEDICAL SCHOOL Ephesus Loveless Church

Smyrna Smyrna Persecuted Church Pergamum Indulged Church

UPPER CITY Occupied by Royal Family, Nobility, Military Commanders MIDDLE CITY

Sports Fields,

Temples frequented by less educated,

Area of the common people

General citizenship had unrestricted access Asclepian Included medical school, temple, replica of Pantheon, fountain, pool, theater, library, 5 smaller temples The Burbs

The Strip The Base Revelation 2:12 (ESV) 12 “. . . ‘The words of him DESCRIPTION OF JESUS: who has the sharp two-edged sword.

The governor’s residence was in Pergamum. He alone had the authority for capital punishment. The symbol of that authority was a two-edged sword. The sharp two-edged sword of Christ mentioned in 2:12 and 2:16 is herein contrasted with the sword of the governor.

Jesus is the ultimate authority with the power over life and death.

Revelation 19:15 (ESV) 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. Revelation 2:13 (ESV) 13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my COMMENDATION: faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, Holding Fast and Standing Strong who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

The doctrine of eternal security is referenced as “the perseverance of the saints” because the ultimate evidence of true saving faith is the believer persevering to the end.

Revelation 14:12 (ESV) 12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 2:13 “where Satan’s throne is . . . where Satan dwells.”

ALTAR OF ZEUS ASCLEPIUS TEMPLE EMPEROR WORSHIP OTHER TEMPLE WORSHIP (7) FALSE TEACHING TOLERATION, COMPLACENCY ZEUS ATHENA captain of the gods roman goddess NICOLAITANS wisdom, olives, weaving, battle strategy Compromise under pressure

DIONYSUS Judea-Christian DEMETER god of grape-harvest, Church goddess of the earth religious ecstasy, insanity, ritual madness, theater at harvest, bounty Pergamum ASCLEPIUS EMPEROR greco-roman god son of Apollo BALAAM WORSHIP CONTROL FALSE SEX Dolos (Greek) Power, Mind Control Chicken Ranch brothel Pahrump, Nye County , Nevada TEACHER For Sale: $7 million Prosperity Gospel

Christian Church ALCOHOL at Dionysus (Roman god Bacchus) SELF wine & religious ecstasy Las Vegas Entertainment

GAMBLING POSITION Hermes (Greek) Ranking, Hierarchy son of Apollo PLEASURE Hedone (Greek goddess) Pursuit, Priority Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold CONDEMNATION: 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 Severe Compromise idols and practice sexual immorality. Worldly Morality & Pagan Doctrine 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

“It is a small step It need not be from compromise TEACHING this difficult; to deceit.” Billy Graham OF BALAAM pleasure is available

COMPROMISE Minimizing the Standard Maximizing the Desirable COMPROMISE

“You can never suppress error by TEACHING OF God will compromising with it.” John MacArthur NICOLAITANS understand Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold CONDEMNATION: 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 Severe Compromise idols and practice sexual immorality. Worldly Morality & Pagan Doctrine 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

“It is a small step It need not be from compromise TEACHING this difficult; to deceit.” Billy Graham OF BALAAM pleasure is available

COMPROMISE Minimizing the Standard Maximizing the Desirable COMPROMISE

“You can never suppress error by TEACHING OF God will compromising with it.” John MacArthur NICOLAITANS understand Balaam Numbers 22: 21-35 and 25

Balaam Undermining the Faith & Corrupting the Character 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 & Titus 3:9-11

Nicolaitans Dismissing the Doctrine & Ignoring Integrity Revelation 2:16 (ESV) 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon EXHORTATION: and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

“Repent” means to change one’s way of life as a result of a complete change in thought and attitude (Lou Nida Lexicon) .

Jesus demonstrates that compromising with sin in the church is not to be tolerated.

Jesus warms that he Himself will come to fight against them unless they changed their behavior.

Matthew 18:15-20; Rom 16: 17-18; 1 Cor 5:1-13; Gal. 6:1-2; 2 Thess. 3:6-15

To promote individual sanctification Maintain holiness in the church For God’s Greater Glory Revelation 2:17 (ESV) 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one PROMISE: who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white OVERCOMERS (nikao) stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

OVERCOMER victor, conqueror, in the NT they are the true believers

1 John 5:4 (ESV) 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. BUILDING A DEFINITIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE ENDURES UNTIL THE END - THE TRUE

victory Be Ephesus Passionate + remember, repent, repeat

Be Smyrna Steadfast tested by persecution

Be Pergamum Intolerant disciplined & vigilant Q1: HOW do you remain “IN THE WORLD”, without being “OF THE WORLD?” Q1: HOW do you remain “IN THE WORLD”, without being “OF THE WORLD?”

1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 (ESV) Answering the Call of Holiness

your sanctification: . . . abstain from sexual immorality; . . . to control his own body in holiness and honor, . . . do not transgress and wrong his brother

7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. Q1: HOW do you remain “IN THE WORLD”, without being “OF THE WORLD?”

Micah 6:8 (ESV) 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Revelation 2:17 (ESV) 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one PROMISE: who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white OVERCOMERS (nikao) stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one Hidden Manna, White Stone, New Name who receives it.’

John 6:48-51 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

There was a golden pot of manna preserved (hidden in the Ark of the Covenant (Ex 16:23) incorruptible. As was Jesus’ body. Christ Himself was the manna hidden from the world.

Athletic (to the victor, admission to the winner’s circle); Judicial (acquittal)

New status, new purpose; eschatologically a new identity in new heaven and new earth acquittal acceptance

Q2: HOW would you use a white stone ? BONUS Q: Talker Conman WHAT would be an appropriate new name for you? Is there a PRINCIPLE for my creed? FINAL THOUGHTS Is there a COMMAND that I need to heed? fitting the pieces into a picture Is there a BLESSING that I need?

Pergamum is any church (or person) who courts the world and mixes itself with wrong teaching out of expediency, comfort, convenience or otherwise It will lead to immorality and/or unscrupulous behavior. God takes compromise seriously. Those who heed political-correctness should heed this. Is there a PRINCIPLE for my creed? FINAL THOUGHTS Is there a COMMAND that I need to heed? fitting the pieces into a picture Is there a BLESSING that I need?

Revelation 2:10 (ESV) 10 Do not fear what you . . . suffer . . . you may be tested . . . you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death . . . Is there a PRINCIPLE for my creed? FINAL THOUGHTS Is there a COMMAND that I need to heed? fitting the pieces into a picture Is there a BLESSING that I need?

Those who persevere will be rewarded.

Christ Himself will acquit them of guilt

and embrace them at the entrance to His Kingdom. What need I learn, know, use? TAKE-AWAY What ONE THING is vital for me?

FIGURE IT OUT AND NOW YOU KNOW “The rest of the story” THINGS THAT MAKE YOU THINK

The Altar of Zeus was taken stone by stone to Berlin, it was reassembled in the Berlin Museum in 1930.

Note: Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany in 1933, following a series of electoral votes. end of today’s session ---thanks for sharing Cross rainers Heritage CC Fall Session Seriest Men’s Ministry 10.14.2020 Dan Scruggs

Listen to the podcast, read the passage, watch the videos for next week st Wednesday Oct 21 Contact information [email protected] http://www.just15.net Crosstrainers This assignment should be completed prior to the 5th session on Oct 21st We suggest you spread out the fulfillment of your Next Week: Session 5 assignment to read & view 10.21.20 assignment, so you have time to think and ponder the passage.

Read Revelation 2:18-22 1st time . Watch Video by Mike Baker “No Compromise” #4 http://rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/233201?episode=4 13 minutes

Read Revelation 2:18-22 2nd time Watch Video by Michael Fletcher “Thyatria” #4 http://rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/138365?episode=4 19 minutes

Watch Video by Joe Stowell “Promiscuous” #6 http://rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/1158?episode=6 26 minutes

Watch Video by Jack Graham #4 Well done! Be excited! You are ready to meet, discuss, learn http://rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/227367?episode=4 11 minutes Read Revelation 2:18-22 3rd time Dan M. Scruggs. Supplemental Material FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO KNOW MORE +

This is additional optional material for you. If you do not wish to include this material in your study, simply ignore it or even erase it as you wish. The core of the course is contained in the zoom meeting discussions. As is always the case in this format, start with the core and build out from it with the podcast, the videos and the supplemental material. You can learn, build on your comprehension and even advance your understanding of the Bible at the pace in which the Spirit inspires you. We merely wish to echo your understanding and facilitate a comprehension of the message right where you are today.

Contact information Cross rainers [email protected] Heritage CC Men’s Ministry 10.14.2020 Session 4 Dan Scruggs t http://www.just15.net

DESTINATION: Pergamum a major city of idolatry (temple of Esculapius) in the form of a serpent-son. The church who was married to the state during Constantine.

DESCRIPTION OF JESUS: v. 12 “him who has the sharp two-edged sword” Rev 1:16 “…from his mouth cam a sharp two-edged sword …” O U COMMENDATION: v.13 For not denying the faith (Antipas) T L CONDEMNATION: vv. 14-15 1) for allowing some to hold to the teachings of Balaam; I 2) Tolerating and permitting the teachings of the Nicolaitans. N E EXHORTATION: v.16 repent (change their minds) and clean up the church or be judged

PROMISE: v.17 1) overcomers are promised hidden manna; 2) a white stone; 3) a new name written on the stone which only he will know Jews were known to identify the pagan gods with demons, claiming that those who worshiped idols were really worshiping demons (1 Cor 10:19–21; Rev 9:20–21). Many scholars believe that John was speaking about the distinctive landmark the altar of Zeus when he said that Pergamum was home to “Satan’s throne” (Rev 2:13). Identifying the Greeks’ chief god, Zeus, with Satan, the chief of the demons, would have been a natural extension of the Jews’ tendency.

If John is thinking of a particular monument in Pergamum as “Satan’s throne”—indeed, a distinctive monument that would set “Satan’s throne” in Pergamum as opposed to one of the other seven cities John addresses—the great altar of Zeus seems to me the likeliest candidate.

In John’s deconstruction of the official view that Rome and its emperors rule by the will of Jupiter/Zeus and were destined by the chief of the gods to bring order, peace, and rule of law to the known world (see, e.g., Virgil, Aeneid, 1.236–37; 4.232), John asserts that “the dragon,” who is Satan (Rev 12:9), stands behind the many-headed beast that exercises authority over the peoples, nations, and languages of the world, and that receives worship from its awestruck subjects (Rev 13:1–4, 7–8). The temple of Roma and Augustus in Pergamum is a manifestation of the cult of the beast and its image, not of the dragon that gives the beast its power. Whether John had in mind the great altar of Zeus, the centers of the imperial cult, which he would describe as worship of the beast and its image, or the acropolis as a whole as a cluster of sacred sites that would be abhorrent to John, Pergamum would indeed have seemed to him a stronghold of Satan, perhaps the location of his very seat of power as he deceived humanity to take what was due God and give it instead to sticks and stones and pretentious human rulers.

The investment of the city in these cults, however, also explains why their inhabitants would not be disposed to tolerate a movement of people in their midst who claimed that all their temples, their sacrifices, and their piety was a sham—or worse. It is surely no coincidence that the theological program of the rival Christian teachers whom John labels “Nicolaitans” and identifies with Balaam, the historic prophet of compromise (see Num 25:1–3; 31:15–16), found a following among the Christians of this city.

The pressure was indeed great to find a way to pay lip service to the gods of their neighbors while holding on to their (private?) belief in one God and his Messiah. John rightly saw in Antipas, who was killed in some fashion because of his profession of one God to the exclusion of all others (Rev 2:13), the shape of things to come for Christians who refused to bow, as John saw it, before Satan’s throne.

Temple of Temple of Athena Trajan

Temple of Dionysus Temple of Hera Zeus Altar Roman Ampitheater PERGAMUM Temple of Temple of Demeter Hermes & Heracles

Roman theater

Temple of Athnena

LIBRARY

Askiepius Temple Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the CONDEMNATION: teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons Balaam 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.

Numbers 22:15–17 (ESV) 15 Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these. 16 . . . “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Let nothing hinder you from coming to me, 17 . . . Come, curse this people for me.’ ”

Notice: Balaam suppresses the last two statements of God and does not tell the messengers how hopeless their undertaking was. Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the CONDEMNATION: teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons Balaam 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.

Numbers 22:7–14 (ESV) 7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak’s message. . . 9 And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” 12 God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the CONDEMNATION: teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons Balaam of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual Worldly Morality & Pagan Doctrine immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Numbers 22:20–23 (ESV) 20 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.”

21 So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the CONDEMNATION: teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons Balaam of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual Worldly Morality & Pagan Doctrine immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Numbers 22:31 (ESV) 31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam,

and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the CONDEMNATION: teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons Balaam 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.

Numbers 22:2–6 (ESV) So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, 5 sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor . . . saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. 6 Come now, curse this people for me,

since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the CONDEMNATION: teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons Teaching of Balaam 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.

Number 25:1-3 25 While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. 2 These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.

Deuteronomy 23:4–5 (ESV) 4 because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the way, when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. 5 But the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam; instead the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loved you.

Numbers 31:16 (ESV) 16 Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the LORD. Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the CONDEMNATION: teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons Teaching of Balaam 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.

Numbers 31:8 (ESV) 8 They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. And they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword.

The people of Pergamum must have been intermarrying with pagans and unbelievers causing them to be tempted by false gods.

Also, in times of persecution the tasting the wine of libations and/or eating of meat offered to idols was understood to signify recanting of one’s faith in Christianity. Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the CONDEMNATION: teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons Teaching of Balaam 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.

2 Peter 2:15 (ESV) 15 Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,

Jude 11 (ESV) 11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion. Revelation 2:14–15 (ESV) 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the CONDEMNATION: teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons Nicolaitans 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.

In the 2nd century, at least, the Nicolaitans appear to have taught that the works of the flesh do not affect the spotlessness of the soul, and consequently have no bearing on salvation.

The parallel that the apostle John made of this sect with Balaam suggests that there were some at Pergamum whose purpose was to split and destroy the church by encouraging practices that were forbidden to Christians (Acts 15:29). Like Balaam, who was concerned about advancing his own interests, not those of God’s people, this sect was promoting the deeds of the flesh over the godly pursuits . Galatians 5:9 (ESV) NICOLAITANS 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. Taught differences in clergy and laity

Early Christian sources (Irenaeus) say that Nicolaitans were originated by the Nicolas identified as the proselyte from Antioch in Acts 6:5.

The movement carried many of the characteristics of Gnosticism in that it encouraged practices of immorality. In the same way the Nicolaitans participated in the same type of activities as the OT Israelites with Balaam’s counsel. Obviously, Pergamum was not as discerning about Nicolaitans as was Ephesus.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV) 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” NICOLAITANS Taught differences in clergy and laity

1 Corinthians 6:18–20 (ESV) 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. Numbers 25:1–9 (ESV) Baal Worship at Peor: People of the Plague Sexual Immorality 25 While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. 2 These invited the people to the sacrifices of their in the Context of Worship gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.

4 “Each of you kill those of his men who have yoked themselves to Baal of Peor.”

6 And behold, one of the people of Israel came and brought a Midianite woman to his family, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the people of Israel, while they were weeping in the entrance of the tent of meeting. 9 Nevertheless, those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand. Matthew 10:28 (ESV) 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

ANTIPAS (PERSON) [Gk Antipas (Ἀντιπας)]. An abbreviated form of the name Antipatros (Antipater). A martyr of the Church in Pergamum, described as Christ’s faithful witness (Rev 2:13); the same description is given to Christ himself (Rev 1:5).

Legend among later hagiographers has it that Antipas was slowly roasted to death in a brass bull located at the top of the altar of Zeus, during the reign of Domitian (Mounce, Revelation NICNT, 97).

NICNT New International Commentary on the New Testament Wheeler, F. E. (1992). Antipas (Person). In D. N. Freedman (Ed.), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Vol. 1, p. 272). New York: Doubleday.

Crosstrainers

Revelation 2:12-17

“thoroughly married” AD 313-600

October 14, 2020 What is Now

Session 4 Pergamum The Compromising Church