The Church in Pergamum is where “Satan has his throne.” Pergamum was also a city of many gods, and as long as you didn’t prefer one god above another, you were accepted.
Sound familiar?
The pressure to be conformed to the world for the believers in Pergamum was enormous, and the cost of not conforming was high, as may happen to us soon in the Western world. But if they did not conform, they (and we) are promised “hidden manna.” What does that mean? We’ll seek this out together.
Joseph Stowell asks penetrating questions at the close of a very helpful documentary on Pergamum that you’ll watch early this week. He asks questions like:
Are we willing to confess that hell is real? That Jesus is the only way? Or do we fudge?
Are we holding to God’s standard for sex? Or compromising?
Are we obeying the great commission, boldly sharing about Christ with those in our path? Or are we hiding our light under a bushel?
Quite honestly, when someone is not compromising, they shine.
Let me tell you Lara’s story. She clerks at a grocery store in Egg Harbor, Wi. and shines. I’ve heard it said that today’s young Christians have compromised on sex, are sexual atheists. So when they don’t, they stand out, like a city on a hill.
Lara Baker
Though she’s had to wear a mask in the last year, that doesn’t hide the twinkle in her eyes, or the joy that overflows from her redeemed heart. And now she bravely wears a mask that says: Jesus Loves Me. Whenever I come into The Market and she sees me, she calls out: I LOVE YOU, DEE! People turn to look and I laugh and call right back: AND I LOVE YOU, LARA!
Lara is such a bright light in our little church as well. She lives on a shoestring in a rented trailer, and sometimes our church has tried to give her money, but she always knows someone needier than she and gives it away. We asked her to share her testimony at this year’s Easter service. She was so brave, for she told how Jesus helped her overcome her battle with lust. She did it wisely, so it went over the heads of children, but it packed a punch. Here are a few highlights.
“When my mother, my rock, died of cancer, I started asking “Why am I here? What is life all about?” Then an aunt invited me to her church in Madison. It was so big I thought it was a college, but they preached the Word, told me I was a sinner, and I knew it was true, and that I needed to be cleansed.” Then Lara used a line from the chosen.
Then she told how God led her to our area, and how her ex-husband followed her. She let him move into her trailer while he looked for a job and “got on his feet.” But he wasn’t looking for a job — while she went to work each day, he stayed home and watched television.
“I was venting to Debbie, a woman at my church, and she said, ‘Bring your television to me. I’ll store it in my garage.’ I was scared to do it because even though I was mad he wasn’t looking for a job, I’d been in lust with him since I was eleven, and was rationalizing that since we’d been married once, how we were living now was okay. But in my heart, I knew it wasn’t. I knew I was living in sin. So, at a women’s Bible study I asked them to pray for me to be delivered of lust. Then, by faith, I took the TV to Debbie’s. He was so mad, saying it was the meanest thing I’d ever done, and moved out. Amazingly, I was okay! I was delivered from lust.” Then before she sat down, Lara said:
I can’t tell you exactly how it happened, but I can tell you that
Listen to this short video (under 4 minutes) and share any thoughts today.
Today or tomorrow, watch this 25 minute documentary and take notes. It’s on You-Tube so if you have that you could watch it on your big screen. Or, watch it here.
#5 Hidden Manna word document questions
Sunday:
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- Where are you tempted to compromise? (Let’s each of us let God search us.)
Monday: Documentary on Pergamum
3. Share your notes from the above documentary with Joseph Stowell.
Tuesday: Where Satan Has his Throne
A theme that will appear and re-appear in Revelation is that when the governing authorities and the religious authorities (the counterfeit church, not the true Church) agree to oppose Christianity, Satan is behind it. We saw this in the trials of Jesus when the religious authorities and the governing authorities became allies in their opposition to Jesus. We see this in Pergamum, where there is a Temple to the Emperor and temples to false gods of healing, fertility, etc. who all oppose Jesus. Jesus says this is where Satan has his throne! We saw this in Nazi Germany when Hitler came up with the new German church that taught that Jesus hated the Jews! Hitler and the religious authorities stood together to oppose true Christianity. We need to be alert when the governing authorities, the religious leaders, and the culture aligns against Christianity so we remember we are not fighting against flesh and blood, so we need the armor of God.
4. Read Revelation 2:12-15.
A. To whom is the letter addressed? (Rev. 2:12)
B. How is Jesus described and why is this particularly relevant to this church.
C. For what are they commended?
D. For what are they rebuked?
E. How are they to respond to this rebuke?
F. Find both the warning and the promise.
5. Read Dr. Campbells first three paragraphs under “The Church at Pergamum and list his main points. (In the kindle, stop at the sentence that begins “Christ now comes.”
6. In his commentary on Revelation, Michael Wilcock makes an apt comparison of Pergamum to our western world which preaches “tolerance.” Wilcock writes: “…a soft-centered permissive society can be curiously hard on those who refuse to go along with it.” How do you see this today in our western world?
Wednesday: False Teachers Like Balaam
Next, Jesus mentions the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22 and 23) who was seduced by offers of wealth and fame by Moab’s King Balak who wanted him to curse Israel. What I find interesting about this account is that Balaam’s words sound good, but he found a way to still curse Israel and curry favor with King Balak.
7. The King of Moab offered Balaam both wealth and power if he would curse the Israelites.
A. What does God tell Balaam in Numbers 22:12?
B. What does the King Balak of Moab tell Balaam in Numbers 22:17?
C. What does Balaam do according to Numbers 22:21-23 and how does God stop him?
God finally lets Balaam go to the King. In Numbers 23-24 he refuses to verbally curse Israel. But the story isn’t over.
8. What do you learn about Balaam from Revelation 2:14? How was this a sneaky way to curse the Israelites?
I find this very sobering, for it shows how devious false teaching can be. In my community, we have many ministers who claim to be Christian but you will not hear about the blood, about hell, or a true presentation of the gospel. These ministers could preach in Iran and never go to prison. They preach homilies about love and use Scripture to do so, so people are deceived, thinking they are hearing true Christianity.
9. What do you learn about false teachers and prophets like Balaam from the following:
A. 2 Peter 2:1-2?
B. 2 Peter 2:13-19?
10. What application do you see for your life or your church from today’s lesson?
11. What two promises are made to the one who hears and obeys and is victorious in Rev. 2:17?
Thursday/Friday: Hidden Manna, White Stone, New Name
12. What do you learn about the hidden manna and the white stone from Dr. Campbell in his closing three paragraphs under The Church at Pergamum? (Begin in kindle with “Christ now comes” and go to end of the section.
13. In a longer commentary that Dr. Campbell did with G. K. Beale, we are given these insights. Please comment on any of them:
A. Hidden Manna: This refers to the food (now not visible)to be consummately consumed at the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:9) and thus represents fellowship with Christ. The reference to the manna as hidden means that it will be revealed to God’s people at the end of time and possibly beginning at death.
B. White Stone: The white color of the stone portrays the righteousness of the saints in not compromising and “soiling” themselves. …There is an association of white with righteousness in direct connection with the admission to a banquet (19:8-9) where the fine linen, bright and clean” represents “the righteous acts of the saints.”
C. A New Name: This refers to receiving Jesus’ victorious, kingly “name…no one know except Himself (19:12-16) …To know someone’s name…often meant to enter into an intimate relationship with that person and to share in that person’s character or power. To be given a new name was an indication of a new status.
14. In Joseph Stowell’s documentary he likened the Hidden Manna to the joys of fellowship with Christ — illumination, wisdom, the sense of His presence, and answered prayer. How have you experienced any of these recently?
Saturday:
15. What is your take-a-way this week and why?
154 comments
Feels a little scary to go first. Where are you Laura?! Here goes! 🙂
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Well, Lara. I remember meeting her years ago because she’s the kind of person you don’t forget. She beams of Jesus. I love her story. She obeyed God’s nudge (giving Debbie the TV), even when it was really hard and even scary to do so. But oh the blessings that flowed out of that obedience.
2. Where are you tempted to compromise? (Let’s each of us let God search us.)
Oh, this is such a good question Dee. This is probably not where you were going with it exactly, but what came to mind is that I think sometimes I compromise Jesus’ love for me by seeking love, acceptance, approval elsewhere. This is hard to confess here but I will to be clean. A few months back I engaged in listening to someone share frustrations about another and it was gossip. I feared not having them accept me so I nodded along. I felt sick after. Other times I’ve just sulked inside when I feel left out or not liked by others and to the depths that it hurts shows I still value their opinion of me far too highly. But I will says He is breaking me. I am feeling more and more of His love for me and needing less and less of the approval of others—praise Him, it’s been a long journey on that!
Notes from Ears to Hear Video-is this the correct one Dee? We had it a few weeks ago, so good to re-listen to though!
Jeff Bucknam: We are struggling with stubborn unbelief. We essentially believe that the world would give us something better than what Scripture says.
We cannot choose 2 masters–so many choose to worship other idols, money…His words bring life we need to see the world with His eyes and value what He values.
Packer: The preoccupations we have in a materialist culture such as now, are powerful factors in keeping people from taking Scripture seriously and taking Christ seriously. All the technological skills that our material world has produced fill our minds, command our attention, and we are too busy to think about spiritual issues such as where did we come from, what is the meaning of life, where are we going, and how can we link up with Jesu the Savior?
Ken Shigematsu: One of the things that keeps us from listening to the voice of the Spirit is how plugged in we are all the time-we cannot hear Him. We need to be quiet and still enough to hear the still small voice of the Spirit.
Lizzy — you made me laugh out loud. Where are you Laura!
And thanks for alerting me to repeat clip — I just fixed it. But you were so gracious: “But so good though!” 🙂 Another chuckle.
Good post — good start!
Hahaha…you two! I just finished last weeks lesson (well most of it)! Dee you are stretching me with this series!
Actually, I am behind because of a funeral I attended in another state this past weekend; a family member who lost an adult child a couple of months ago. This person also lost their spouse 5 years ago. It is a sad situation. However, I did post that I have been praying that I could come up with the words to get this person to run TO Jesus (raised in Catholic Church but not practicing at all in adult life). The priest gave an awesome message and I overheard this person tell another family member that, “He makes me think I could go back to church.” I was flabbergasted! I didn’t do anything but pray 😉. Thank You Lord Jesus!
Laura — your comment reminds me of when Pence was criticized for not doing something but just praying. He said, “Praying is doing something.”
Lizzy, I am so glad that you chose to focus on the video. There were so many good poinpoints touched on and I while I chose something else to comment on, I’m glad that you addressed it.
Sharon Leach, the name of our FB group is Dee’s Bible Study Friends. Can you search for the group on FB and request membership? I will check regularly for member requests and try to add you that way.
Diane, thank you, but after an exhaustive search I could not find this group. I am amazed at how many there are but none with this title 🤷🏻♀️.
Diane–the FB group is both private and “hidden” so Sharon won’t be able to find it. I think the only way is for you to find her and add her. I’m pretty FB ignorant but I do think that’s the case because the FB description of our group says “hidden” and that non members can’t see it.
Thank you Lizzy! I know there are a lot of “private groups” but had no idea about “ hidden” ones. My FB name is Sharon Tonissen Leach. My profile picture is of me with my grandson.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“The pressure to be conformed to the world for the believers in Pergamum was enormous, and the cost of not conforming was high,”
I look at this two ways. What is the cost of conforming? And what is the cost of “not conforming”. Right now, the cost of conforming with the world does not seem high because it is a hidden cost. But it puts a wall up between us and God and we find excuses to not draw near to him. It is a downward, dark path (though it may seem light at the time) that leads eventually to spiritual death.
However, the cost of not conforming (that is, of being faithful to God) presently may mean being avoided by others, perhaps looked down upon, not included, not in the “in crowd”. Being ridiculed sometimes occurs, especially on social media where people can do such things behind a screen and not face to face.
But, I, too, am convinced that soon the cost of not conforming will mean loss of respect in the community, perhaps loss of jobs, ridicule, being slandered against, even lawsuits, maybe violence and imprisonment, such as is now occurring in atheistic countries and countries ruled by Islamic zealots.
So good to talk about the hidden cost of conforming.
And thanks for watching over that Facebook page, Diane.
Diane–I just sent you and Sharon a private message on FB to help give you her info to add to the group. Thank you!
Diane, “the hidden cost of conforming”-that is what the enemy doesn’t want us to see.
Diane, thanks so much for your description of the two ways to looking at conforming. Very helpful! To see the hidden cost of conforming to culture as distance from our Savior, subtle but deadly.
The story of Lara sharing her testimony is a wonderful example of a brave young Christian and I really admire her being so open about her sinful past and the change in her life when she stepped out in faith.
Where am I tempted to compromise? I think that I am ashamed to reveal my sinful past and how I needed to let go of myself and obey God’s word. It is really hiding my light under a bushel even though it was many years ago that Christ
became my Lord and my Savior. It is still related to my idol of people pleasing. My mind goes right to the fear of rejection I had as a youngster. As much as I desire to be open, I just clam up. I need to repent and change.
Shirley, we are now different indeed through Christ. People-pleasing is also an issue for me. I am still a work in progress and I can sense the Spirit’s work in my life. He is so patient with us, isn’t He?
What stands out to you from the above and why? Lara’s testimony. She is the embodiment of all of our compromises no matter what they are. I can see how she justified staying with the man that she was previously married to because, after all, they had been married. Yet she was convicted that this wasn’t right. How easy it is for us to just keep things as they are and looking for the other person to get a revelation and change. She did what needed to be done and yes, her ex-husband left, but she is now free to do God’s will.
Where are you tempted to compromise? (Let’s each of us let God search us.) Right now it is definitely at work. I had went from doing what I know I should do so that I will look better than my co-workers (everyone will see MY righteousness) to “when in Rome, do as the Romans” because everyone else is slacking and getting away with it so why should I break my back? To now doing what I know that I should do, to the best of my ability regardless of what others do or whether it is recognized or not. I have a tendency to point out what I’m doing that others aren’t and I need to let it go unnoticed and unappreciated, working for God not men.
Dawn, kudos to my sister for getting to where neither negative way of working is where you are camped, but rather ‘working as to the Lord.’!
Oh Dawn — I love your description of your progression into true holiness.
oh Dawn–so much here. This I think is profound “She is the embodiment of all of our compromises no matter what they are.”-YES. When I read that (from you) I thought–it is so true, this same fear/desire for acceptance…that runs through all of us and tempts us to compromise.
And your work situation–going from working for man to only for Him, convicting and so good. Thank you for sharing that, good reminder for me.
Sunday:
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
Oh so much to process and unpack in your introduction, Dee!
Lara’s story was so powerful. Wearing that mask-am not sure if I am ready for that. What courage to share her testimony. She is shining the Light, indeed!
From the ears to hear video:
Bill Hogg: The call to repentance means to be under the sovereignty of Christ. We’ve lost sight of the supremacy and the kingly authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jeff Bucknam: The path you are on is incorrect and you need to acknowledge it is incorrect and change it…And that is hard.
Ken S.” We do not want to challenge people so we say, ‘No worries’-we are hesitant to call people to repent…it might be painful but calling people to repent may be the greatest gift we can give them. WOW!
Darell Johnson: Repentance a great word to change your mind; turn around and head in the right direction. Growing, maturing adults are always repentant.
J.I. Packer: Joy is when we stop living self centeredly; start obeying the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit according to the Scriptures. What makes Christians tick? It is actually repentance which is linked to faith, trust in God and keep your eyes on God and His Word and now you are living for Him according to His directions.
Darell Johnson: Have you considered the possibility that? Would you think with us just for a moment what it would be like if we were to adopt a different set of presuppositions? Invitational nature to the call to repentance.
Extending the call to repent just like Jesus did ‘The kingdom of God is at hand; repent, graciously, invitationally. Lord, help me do this graciously, invitationally.
1.Where are you tempted to compromise? (Let’s each of us let God search us.)
I need to be more natural in sharing the work of God in my life when somebody asks me questions about how I go about life. It is often easier to stay safe and just act humbly about it and not bring God’s name into the conversation. I need to stop giving in to my idol of approval and give honor to God.
I watched Joseph Stoll’s documentary on Pergamum and was convicted when he said we can “lose our edge, our distinctiveness, our dynamic difference” to stay in the mainstream so we do not have to face suffering or loss.
Great notes from the retiring teacher!
Dee, I do not have any reason now to be late in commenting. I am retired! LOL
Congratulations!!!
Bing–thank you for these good notes on the video! “Growing, maturing adults are always repentant.”
Lizzy, I so need to be a good repenter. Pride gets in the way inwardly even though it may not show outwardly. Ugh…I can be ugly inside but thankfully when I acknowledge it before the Lord, He is so kind to take me back. I watched The Chosen with my husband last night and I cannot wait to see what will happen to Mary Magdalene in Episode 6. That was left field for me to see her return to the tavern. But don’t we all? We can return to habits of the past. Even though the scene was just a result of the creativity of the writers, it had a strong impact on me.
Sunday
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Lara’s beautiful face just radiates…thought what a shame to have to cover that smile with a mask, but what better and more appropriate mask that says “Jesus loves me.” The line from the chosen, “I was one way, and now I’m completely different. And what happened in-between…was Him.” I have at times felt jealousy when I hear a testimony of how a life was changed by Jesus because being raised in a Christian home I don’t have that dramatic story, but on the other hand am really glad that I don’t. My story/testimony may be boring, but Christ has changed/refined me over the years and I can only give Him the credit.
Watching the 4 minute video on repentance was good and what stood out to me was what Bill Hogg said, “the call to repentance is a recognition that there’s another sovereign, that there is a king that calls us to live under his authority. So the call to repentance is a call to live under the sovereignty of Jesus. So maybe we’ve lost sight of the supremacy and kingly authority of the Lord Jesus.” When I sin I’ve removed Jesus from the throne. I have put another god in His place and to repent reminds me of the importance of placing Jesus back on the throne and in His place of Kingly authority.
2. Where are you tempted to compromise? (Let’s each of us let God search us.)
When I know that my thinking and views are different from others, because I don’t want to be rejected, thought of as weird or different.
Lara gave me one of those masks to wear at pickleball, but I haven’t and am now so glad we are mask free! 🙂
Good notes, Sharon.
Oh yes, mask free!!
1. What stood out in the introduction and why?
How wise and sensitive Lara’s wording. Very impressive!
The whole discussion of repentance was eye opening for me. I always was taught, and thought, that it was a feeling of being sorry for something and choosing to turn away from that and back to God. My church is big on hearing people say they repented as part of their testimony of coming to Jesus. This is the first time I heard it explained as choosing to live under the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. It makes more sense to me that it is changing my mind about who should be in charge of my life. The idea that growing, maturing people are always repenting would have meant being continually beating myself up over my sin in my old understanding of the word. Now it just follows that every time I realize I’ve started to operate as though I’m in charge, I turn from that and get lined up with Jesus again.
Really liked the part about getting people to the place of having a curiosity about Christians or Christianity before introducing repentance. Starting by asking if they have ever considered a different set of suppositions. That sounds like a place I could launch from.
2. Where are you tempted to compromise?
I listen in a new situation, sizing up the attitudes of the group. And I keep my mouth shut if I think I’d get verbally attacked. I avoid those situations, rather than taking the risk to bring Jesus to them. And as a consequence of doing this for years, I know no one on a daily basis to impact for my Lord. Bad of me. Very bad.
Dee, when I wrote down the questions for the week, I noticed there are 2 #8’s.
Thanks, Mary. I’m hopeless!
Mary, I felt the same way about repentance and I like this…”It makes more sense to me that it is changing my mind about who should be in charge of my life.”
Monday: Documentary on Pergamum
1.Share your notes from the above documentary with Joseph Stowell.
a. Wow-this documentary gave such a wonderful historical background to offer context and to point out the grave consequences of nonconformity and “hidden cost” (words from our Diane) of conformity.
While Stowell was narrating, I thought, “why, he is talking about our country and not Pergamum!”
b. It struck me that while the world then was riding the coattails of its prosperity due to the opening of commerce through its seaport, God was also prospering the gospel. My thought: There is no circumstance that God cannot superintend to be used for His good purposes.
c. They have deities as the following:
Zeus- pleasure
Dionysius a god of wine and revelry
Demeter- a wonderful crop of the season
Aesculapius for healing
Athena the goddess of wisdom
Trajan Caesar worship
d. Jesus is all these and more-He is our ultimate pleasure, our provider, our wisdom, our healer and the king of kings.
e. Being a Christian then “threatens your peace, prosperity, position in the community, your relationships; no part of your life is not touched.” Some Christians may have gotten tired of being different, so they thought maybe there is a way to compromise, to release the pressure.
f. Compromising by indulging in sexual immorality and still being a part of the church; in the OT, Israelites married Moabites women who worshipped Baal.
g. Assimilation to God and compromise with idolatry.
h. The problem was not the church was in Pergamum but there might be too much Pergamum in the church.
i. What are the things that we reduced and discount so that we can stay in the mainstream?
j. We don’t talk about repentance, hell but
we say, Jesus is the only way for me but it may not be for somebody else…
k.Suffering is part of the Christian walk
l. Lose our edge, our distinctiveness, our dynamic difference to compromise the gospel
m. He calls us to repent and to those who overcome- a statement of reward-He will give you manna from heaven-God will provide the manna of His love, prayer, the Holy Spirit.
n. I will give you a white stone with a name on it. So intimate an invitation to the festivities of Jesus Christ!!!!
Why, he’s talking about our country, not Pergamum!
3. The documentary by Joe Stowell.
To reiterate the claims of Jesus flies in the face of the culture, both then and now. It is high risk to live proclaiming Him, threatening comfort, personal peace, relationships, finances, status… everything about you gets touched. Antipas died a martyr. I was confused if he died by the sword or by being roasted to death, but in either case, to have been there in that time would have been sobering and chilling. Pergamum was commended for holding on to the truth of who Jesus is. His name is above all others, then and now. Many of the believers there were tenacious, but some wanted to find a way to lessen the pressure. To somehow have it both ways. But as soon as they stepped into any of the cultural practices, they were actively worshiping false gods. Compromise and assimilation by God’s people with the world and it’s cultures has always led to God judging and even purging them. The problem was not that the church was surrounded by a pagan culture, but that the pagan culture was leaking into the church. We today shy away from any talk of sin, or he’ll, or the exclusivity of Jesus. And by that, we lose our edge. We need to say everything Jesus said. Pergamum was a tough place to be. Our situation can be tough, too. But Jesus gives promises to those who overcome. I can’t help but think He isn’t saying the promises are for those who change the culture, but for those who overcome the tendency within to quit holding firmly to Him. The hidden manna is His daily, constant, sufficient provision of everything we need. That is physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual. I’ve always wondered about the white stone, so it was thrilling to hear it explained as an intimate, exclusive invitation for me ! to enter heaven and party with my Lord.
Monday
3. Share your notes from the above documentary with Joseph Stowell.
This was very informative but also good application which is convicting.
Rome embraces many gods, Caesar being one of them.
Behind political movements, God was in control. No barriers to the gospel.
They held the gospel at great cost because it was at great risk.
Much like Hollywood, the right zip code to be in…all you wanted was offered.
Gods are numerous …
Zeus, the king of kings, the god of the skies and would use lightning and thunder against his enemies…he had all the power. His altar is where you went if you wanted something done.
Dionysius, the god of wine and revelry, his temple is where you’d go to participate in orgies. Sometimes the frenzy was so strong that it would end up in taking lives. What happened in that temple was like what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Demeter, goddess who could guarantee you food on your table and a wonderful crop at the end of the season.
Askelpion, god of healing. In that temple the snakes did the healing. Priests in the temple would ppl in a trance and they would get a vision of what was wrong with them and then they could to the doctor and tell him and he’d try to treat them. Would often put the sick ppl in a dark room at night, pitch black, put them in a trance like sleep, release the snakes and they’d crawl over their bodies for a ritual of healing.
Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Would form great strategies for the military.
Trajan, this gods temple of the imperial cult was where you went to affirm that Ceasar was lord of lords, the savior of your life a d granting you safety and peace.
With all those gods it’s easy to see why Jesus addresses Pergamum as the throne where Satan dwells.
In traveling to Israel they heard about 1 God who could do all the things that their many gods could only do one of. Imagine returning to their home and telling their Jewish friends, they would be considered to be god deniers. They’d be out of the synagogues, the temples and in no man’s land where Satan’s throne is…that was the challenge. (It’s interesting that he talks about the people going to Israel for Pentecost and hearing about Jesus and all that he’d done. I always thought that they heard thru Paul’s journeys?)
Being a follower of Christ in Pergamum was a high risk, threatening your family, livelihood and life.
Antipas was a bishop, commissioned by John and was martyred in 92AD. He was burned to death in a brazen bull shaped altar that was used for casting out demons.
The Roman governor of the region had a “right to the sword.” Every case brought before him he could say they will or die by the sword. Antipas probably died by his sword.
These Christians in the face of Antipas’s death held fast to the name of Jesus. They held on to who Jesus really is…provider, healer, savior etc.
Sadly that wasn’t true of everyone. There was some that were tired of being different, excluded, didn’t like the danger of following Christ. They wondered if there was a way to compromise to relieve the pressure and there was. They would sneak into the temple worship and still be a Christian, but Jesus knew they were doing that in saying some of you are practicing sexual immorality and offering to idols…this was an act of worship to these gods and goddesses. Trying to escape the pressure have denied the name of Christ.
He compares this to the Jews who gave in to Baal. Numbers 25 the Israelites starting marrying Moabite woman and worshiping their gods. 24,000 Israelites were murdered as a judgment by God.
There was too much Pergamum in the church was the problem, not that the church was in Pergamum.
What do we marginalize today so we can remain in the mainstream?
Why do we hear so little the proclamation about the danger of sin and call to repentance ? Repentance is a non issue.
We don’t hear much about hell. It’s embarrassing in our culture that God would send ppl to hell. We explain it away and say it’s not as bad a judgment as God says it’s going to be.
Or that Jesus is the only way. We fudge a bit when we say, He’s the only way for me, but not everybody.
Suffering, Jesus has told us to take up our cross and follow Him, suffering is part of following Him but yet churches today say Jesus wants you to be healthy and wealthy.
If He called them at Pergamum to repent, He must call us to repent as well.
When we’re followers of Jesus Christ we’re going to get stuck in bad places, where it’s tough, to hang on and not let go.
There’s a reward Jesus gives to the ppl at Pergamum…if you overcome I will give you manna from Heaven. Think of His manna/provision of love and companionship, wisdom, His word, prayer.
We’ll receive a white stone with a name that nobody knows or has…not sure what that means but in the ancient world invitations to major festivities and events by the emperor were done on a white piece of marble and your name would be engraved as an invitation and you would present it when entering. Think of the believers who were not welcomed to theses festivities but they will receive an invitation to the festivities and pleasure of His presence…that’s worth hanging on for.
Amazing notes!
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? – I love all the convicting questions that Joseph Stowell asks, Wow, kind of hard to face those questions for sure. Also what a blessing Lara is. It’s exciting to see the younger generation so hungry for Jesus it gives me hope in this fallen world we live in.
2. Where are you tempted to compromise? (Let’s each of us let God search us.) – Oh man, I am not a confrontational person at all and I really long to be just like Jesus wants me to be. I am getting better at it, but I find myself hanging back so I don’t offend people and so they won’t ask me questions I’m not sure how to reply. I know what I know and I know what I believe, but to put it in to words so others are not taken aback from it is where I lack confidence. I know I need to just seek God, ask him to provide me with the words needed to speak to someone and let it happen. Oh Lord help me not compromise your love and goodness.
Monday: Documentary on Pergamum
3. Share your notes from the above documentary with Joseph Stowell. – loved the scenery of this documentary. Here are my notes.
* Jesus appears to John on Patmos
* The 7 churches were birthed in Turkey
* The hands of God were behind all the changes going on when Christianity spread
* Pergamum was the place where gods would give you what you were looking for
* If you were a follower of Jesus in Pergamum it would be very hard for you. It was a high risk to you in many ways.
* True Christians held on to the name of Jesus even through the trouble happening around them.
* You can’t pretend about Jesus if you truly believe in Him
* It’s a problem for Jesus when we try to live in both worlds
* If we hold on to the name of Jesus during rough times, He will provide what we need to get through it and hang in to His ways.
Julie, I loved the scenery too. It brought to reality what it was like for the Pergamum church with all these temples to the gods. A strange culture, yet our country is also becoming a strange culture for Christians with tolerance to every life style. It is a high risk society for us..
Shirley– I like how you linked the strangeness to us. When I think, How can this be happening, I realize there is nothing new under the sun.
Shirley, I so agree. I sit back and think oh my, what is this world coming too, but like Dee said, we shouldn’t be surprised. So hard to see.
Great notes Julie! I like this one:
* It’s a problem for Jesus when we try to live in both worlds
Notes from video on Pergamum- (wow this was so good!)
the Hellenistic theater- capacity of 10,000, the steepest of all the theaters in the ancient world.
Pergamum was filled with many temples to the gods of Rome and Greece, the library of Pergamum,
held 200,000 volumes.
Long before the birth of Jesus Christ, Pergamum was the capitol city of the Pergamum empire.
By the year bc King Attalus reigned, and he struck a peace treaty with Rome, giving him control over almost all of Asia Minor, the territory now called turkey, where these seven churches were born.
His grandson Attalus III, upon his death, bequeathed all of this territory back to the Roman Empire.
That opened all the seaports of commerce to the Roman Empire, bringing great wealth.
In AD the Emperor Domitian made an edict…that all the vineyards in Asia Minor should be cut down, because the competition against the Italian vineyards was so great.
Behind the scenes of these political maneuverings, God was at work.
Before the age of , Alexander the Great conquered all the known world, creatine one (Greek) culture, and one (Greek) language. This prepared the way of the Gospel through all of the Roman Empire.
After Alexander died, the empire was divided and by now Rome had everything back for its Empire except this bridge of land…between the east, Jerusalem and the west, Italy and Spain and all of Europe.
When Attalus handed it back to the roman empire, that meant that there would be no barriers to the gospel,
that everything would be wide open in the empire.
Christianity spread, early Christians lived in Pergamum. They held the Gospel at great cost, because in Pergamum it was at great risk.
Pergamum was filled with those who worshipped the gods of the Empire, nearly every major deity had a temple here. Zeus, the king of Mount Olympus, where all the gods and goddesses dwelt, he was the king of kings, the god of the sky, of lightning and thunder, used lightning against his enemies.
Dionysus- the god of wine and revelry
Demeter- goddess of food
Asklepios- the god of healing.
Athena- the goddess of wisdom, who would understand and form great military strategies…
Trajan-The Imperial Cult up on the top of the mountain,
But the followers of Jesus Christ refused to bow to lesser gods.
Jesus said “I know the place where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is.”
Understanding how challenging it would be to be a Christian in Pergamum, we have to imagine being a Jew who decides to go back to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost.
While there, a group of men claim Jesus the Messiah has come, King of the Jews.
He does miracles, the Spirit leads and you are baptized.
Returning to Pergamum, rejoicing to have found Jesus, but going back and telling Jewish friends this…will get you kicked out of the Synagogue.
Making the claims of Jesus Christ, that He is King of Kings, not Zeus; He is the source of ultimate and true pleasure; He is the provider, not Demeter; He is the source of wisdom, not Athena…
The charge thrown at early Christians, was that they were atheists, because they do not believe in the gods.
Being a follower of Jesus in Pergamum was risky, threatening your comfort, your personal peace, relationships with family members and friends, it threatened your prosperity, and could even threaten your position in the community.
*There was no part of your life that was not touched by your stand for Jesus Christ.
Jesus commends these early Christians that even in the face of death, they have held fast to the name of Jesus.
Jesus said, “you’ve held fast to my name.” King of Kings, the source of abundant life, healer, the source of wisdom, the provider for all of our needs…they have held on to who Jesus is.
There were some people in Pergamum, in the church, who were tired of being different, tired of being excluded, who didn’t like the danger of following Christ.
They chose to compromise …they tried to sneak back into the temple worship, and still be a Christian.
Jesus says you can’t do that. He says that, “I know that there are some of you…who are practicing sexual immorality and eating meat offered to idols.”
He is saying that they’re going back in and doing sexually immoral things…as an act of worship to the deities.
These believers, trying to escape the pressure, denied the name of Christ and cut an allegiance with these gods of wood and stone.
Jesus takes that seriously and compares it to the Jews who gave in to Baal.
*The problem in the church of Pergamum was not that the church was in Pergamum, it was there was too much Pergamum in the church.
What are the things that marginalize us today, that we try to reduce and discount so that we can stay in the mainstream?
Why is it that we hear so little proclamation about the danger of sin and call to repentance?
We don’t hear much about hell either.
Instead of stating Jesus is the only way, some say “He’s the only way for me…I can’t say that for everybody else but He is the only way for me.”
Jesus has told us to take up our cross and follow Him, suffering is part and parcel of our walk with him and his work in our life, but some churches say that’s not true, that Jesus wants you to be healthy and happy and wealthy, and if you just trust Him enough He’ll give you everything you want.
We lose our edge, our distinctiveness, our dynamic difference…in the power of the gospel by trying to compromise around the edges.
He called them to repent, He must call us to repent, as well.
The believers in Pergamum were stuck in a really bad place, it was tough to be a follower of Jesus.
Most prevailed, held fast, would not let go.
When we find ourselves stuck in a bad place, where it’s tough to be a follower of Jesus Christ…remember Jesus ending statement: “for those of you who overcome, I will give you manna from heaven.”
Manna-a reference to the old testament feeding of the Israelites, when they otherwise would have starved to death, God provided for them. Manna of… of His love and companionship, of His wisdom, of His word, of prayer, of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Cling to those things because He says, “I will provide.”
And then, “for those who prevail, you will receive a white stone…with a name on it that no one else has and no one else knows.”
What does that mean?
Invitations to major festivities and events by the emperor were done on a white piece of marble, and your name would be engraved as an invitation to come. When you entered the festivities you would present your invitation on a white piece of marble with your name.
Believers who were excluded from the festivities, who had no welcome in the society, or in the culture, and Jesus says He will invite them to His feast.
A name that no one else knows, intimately welcomed into the festivities and pleasure of His presence.
Jesus promises to those who are faithful a great reward in Heaven.
Eek- so sorry, I meant to edit out before posting! Then I was too late when I realized I’d posted all my notes. The last half was what really stood out to me.
amazing notes!
Don’t apologize — it was great, Lizzy.
I’m thinking of your older son, the student he is, the heart he has — and how he might like this video too.
Wow! Lizzy, these notes are so excellent!! I really appreciate all your insights! I live in the Northwest (it is like Laura’s part of the country in many ways). We have felt very much like we live in a version of Pergamum for a very long time, especially in the past two years of Covid. The Christians in this area are being pressured in so many ways, especially through the education system. The Christian schools are being pressured to teach things that they cannot agree with, especially teaching to young minds.
I love the verse “I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.” It is like a personal love note from our Heavenly Father.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Love the story of Lara! I too have found when I obeyed in hard times I was blessed.
2. Where are you tempted to compromise? (Let’s each of us let God search us.)
With work 😔.
From Laura:
I too have found when I obeyed in hard times I was blessed.
Sunday:
What stands out to you from the above and why?Lara’s joy stood out to me, she truly does overflow with hope and the mystery of the hidden manna
Where are you tempted to compromise? (Let’s each of us let God search us.)I am tempted by wanting people, especially my kids to not think me narrow or foolish, so sometimes I do not speak with them as openly as I ought to about what I believe. I so much do not want to be lumped in with hateful people who claim Christ that I am sometimes silent when I should speak truth in love.
Chris, I can relate to your areas of compromise, not wanting your kids to think of you as being “narrow or foolish”, and so we tone it down when we’re around them. I have still found that the best way for me to talk about, or bring up an instance, of my faith with them is not to bring up “subjects”, like sex, homosexuality, etc….but rather an area of weakness or change in myself, being as vulnerable as I can in admitting my own weaknesses or areas of sin.
I think it is great to share areas of weakness. And I wouldn’t initiate those subjects, but just be prepared!
Monday: Documentary on Pergamum
3. Share your notes from the above documentary with Joseph Stowell.
I am embarrassed to share that I put this up on the tv Sunday and almost immediately fell asleep. I will try and watch it later this week.
🙂
4. Read Revelation 2:12-15.
To whom is the letter addressed? (Rev. 2:12)
The angel of the church at Pergamum
B. How is Jesus described and why is this particularly relevant to this church.
Jesus is described as him who has the sharp two-edged sword, I think I remember (maybe from the Keller sermon?) that this was the only city given the authority to use capital punishment
C. For what are they commended?
For not denying their faith despite great persecution
D. For what are they rebuked?
That some among them follow teaching of Balaam and the Nicolatians, eating food sacrificed to idols and practicing sexual immorality,
E. How are they to respond to this rebuke?
Repent
F. Find both the warning and the promise.
The warning
“If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth”
The promise
“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.”
I thought it interesting that the warning does not say I will come against you, but I will come against them.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I am intrigued and curious to learn what this “hidden manna” means. I read a short book by Wesley Hill on the Lord’s Prayer, and something struck me in it when he said that when we pray, “Give us today our daily bread”, and in some churches, the Lord’s prayer is prayed just before receiving communion, and then the people go forward to receive communion and the bread is placed in our hand….Hill writes that in essence, our prayer has just been answered.
I also loved Lara’s story. It took courage for her to remove the television and to face the likely disapproval and anger and then, the eventual rejection by her ex-husband. It shows how she turned away from her idols to rely on God. She gave up her ex-husband’s approval, affirmation, and the security and comfort of having him there.
From the video about repentance: One of the difficulties in talking with people about repentance today is that we’ve lost sight of the supremacy of Jesus. In order to repent, one needs to recognize the supreme sovereignty of Jesus. It also requires that you admit that you are on the wrong path, another difficulty because we are self-righteous people.
Ken Shigamatsu talked about the culture of tolerance as accepting everyone as they are, and so to call people to repentance may be painful to others, yet really is the greatest gift we can give them. (I just listened to the Henri Nouwen Now and Then podcast and heard Ken S. for the first time.)
Packer: Here is an elderly man (when was this video made…is he still living?) who I would absolutely love to sit down with and have him share his wealth of faith from a long lifetime of walking with God. (The other person I’d love to sit with is Charles Stanley.) He said that to know joy, we must stop living self-centeredly and start living in obedience to God, according to the Scriptures. He said that “joy” is really the only word to describe how living this way feels. He also said that to explain repentance to others, it does require some interest on the other’s part.
2. Where are you tempted to compromise?
Most often it’s when I just stay silent about something I know in my heart is not right because of what the Scriptures call us to live by. It can be with a family member. I don’t want to risk losing the relationship by what the other will call “preaching at them”. I suppose I can only hold myself to God’s standards, not others? There are a couple of co-workers, for example, who think nothing of dropping the “f” word and other swear words while talking at work. But who am I to call them out on it? For one thing, I think it sounds horribly unprofessional. I can also tell the “little white lie”, or exaggerate the truth, to avoid a conflict with another, rather than face their disapproval or anger.
Susan, I’ve been working on the tendency to tell little white lies as well. My first thought is how likely am I going to get caught instead of be truthful and let God handle the outcome. Most of the time it is trivial things that I’m trying to “save face” about.
Susan, I think we hold each other (Christians) to our standard though, right? And, I am chewing on what you say about holding others (non-Christians) to a standard. I think of Jesus and Mary Magdalene….she was a prostitute yet He knew she could do better (obviously because He was “all-knowing”), but He had to show her how to get there. Maybe that is what we are to do as well? We know that God can do anything, so even in non-Christians we hold the same standards (with them not knowing we do) because we (hopefully) can show them through our actions and deeds how to get there. Not sure, just thinking it through.
3. Share your notes from the above documentary with Joseph Stowell.
In Pergamum, every major deity had a temple. Think of Hollywood today. Do you need power? Visit the temple of Zeus; he had all the power as chief of the gods. Did you want pleasure? Try the temple of Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry. There, you could engage in drinking, revelry, sexual orgies….sometimes murder ensued. Were you in need of food? Visit the temple of Demeter, the goddess of the harvest. Were you sick? Then go to the temple of Asklepion, the god of healing. Healing was thought to be done by snakes crawling over people who were induced into a trance-like sleep. Interestingly, that is where our universal symbol of medicine comes from – the “Rod of Asclepius” (the two serpents intertwined on a rod). I did a little reading on this, and one article talked about the tribe of Dan, known as the most “pagan” of the tribes, and their travels in commerce to the Greek islands. It also mentioned how the bronze serpent on a large pole was fashioned and shown to the people in Exodus in order for them to be healed, if they looked upon it with faith. If you wanted wisdom, you’d want to visit the temple to Athena. You could also worship Caesar.
So what if you became a Christian? You’d likely be kicked out of the synagogue, called a “god-denier” or an atheist. You’d live in no-man’s land. You would lose comfort, peace, prosperity, reputation, relationships, and even your life. Antipas was martyred, after all. So some Christians became tired of being different and found a way to compromise. They’d sneak to the temples to engage in some worship there, such as sexual immorality, which was a form of worship in those temples. It was a way of denying Christ, though, to escape the pressure, in the same way the Jews had given in to Baal worship when they inter-married with the Moabites. It is assimilation, or trying to live in both worlds.
Stowell asks, so what are the things that marginalize us today, the things that we try to reduce or discount so that we can stay in the mainstream? One thing, he wondered, is why we hear so little today about the proclamation of sin and the call to repentance? Some churches today are like a “psychological pep rally”. (I thought of Joel Osteen.) Hell is another “embarrassing” topic. Even in saying that Jesus is the “only way”, Christians will minimize that, saying, “I can say He is the only way for me, but I can’t say that He is the only way for someone else.” The reality of suffering and taking up your cross daily is also denied in many churches where a prosperity gospel is preached.
What does Jesus think of us today, as we try to compromise and “soften our edges”? If He called the church at Pergamum to repent, then He calls us to repent as well. Stowell acknowledges that it’s tough for us today. Perhaps you’ve accepted Christ and you walk back into your relationship with your spouse who doesn’t share your beliefs. I remember those early years well. The first time my husband saw me kneeling in the family room and said what are you doing? He said things to me such as “You’ve gone off the deep end….you drank the Kool-Aid….you’re really weird.” A very painful moment was when one of my sons said to me that I was the one in the family who didn’t fit in anymore. Thankfully, he doesn’t say that anymore. In fact, several years ago when we were driving together, we were talking about another family member and then I apologized for doing that, for talking about her. He was silent, and then said, “If more Christians were like you, I might want to be one.”
What about in the workplace, where others might think you’re weird, or arrogant? I haven’t ever had a spiritual conversation with a co-worker, but at times, I’ve had the opportunity to do so with patients. Or maybe you’re lonely because you won’t engage in sexual activity or go to the office parties. When you’re a follower of Jesus, you often “get stuck in bad places”. Jesus said to those early believers that if they hung on, He would give them “manna from heaven”. It’s a reference to the manna in the desert, but think of the manna of His love, of His companionship, of His wisdom…the manna of His Word, of His indwelling Spirit. Cling to those things, because He will provide for you.
Jesus also promises to those who prevail a “white stone with a name on it that no one else has and no one else knows”. The meaning is unclear, but in ancient days, an invitation from the emperor would be on a white piece of marble. Your name would be on it. Perhaps to these early believers, their consolation in being excluded in their culture was thinking about an invitation from Jesus, with their name on it, inviting them to His feast.
I really enjoy Joe Stowell. Many years ago at the church I was attending at the time, he came to speak during a service. He is a fantastic speaker. I like being “talked to” instead of shouted at, and being made to think.
Such good thoughts from Susan.
I also like being “talked to!” Stowell was such a wonderful President of Moody, and so very supportive of women, like me!
I love your notes, Susan! I can relate to so much of what you wrote. I worked in the Interior Design and Art industry for a very long time and I was among the few who were Christians. I loved my clients and my artists and I was fortunate to meet quite a few Christians in the industry, but it was not a climate where you could easily share your faith. Thankfully, after I retired my business, I spent the rest of my working days in the Library at the Christian school where my husband taught. It was so wonderful to be in a Christ centered environment and be able to talk about Jesus to the students. Many students were not Christians, but they did not were open to hearing about Christ.
I really enjoyed Joseph Stowell too. It made Pergamum come to life.
Patti–I’ve only worked for churches, for 25 years, and I agree with how much of a blessing it is to be in a climate where we talk about Spiritual things all through the day. Still, I know I have to get myself out of my comfort bubble! I’m sure you were a true light in the interior design world. I wish you could come help me as we build our house–the day we got into picking the color of grout between tiles, I was done! 🙂
Lizzy, I smiled because I had to do just that a couple weeks ago: choose the color of grout for between the tiles which will go around the bathtub area in the bathroom we’re remodeling. I just take my daughter along – she’s just got such an eye for color and what looks good and she makes quick decisions. She helped me choose the tile backsplash for the kitchen last year and it looks great!
Susan–thankful that you have that kind of sweet relationship with your daughter, that’s a gift from Him.
Oh, Lizzy. Yes, that was a lovely comfortable bubble for me too. I am not so good at picking out grout either….but it would be fun to see your home being built. Those are hard choices….I go to HGTV for ideas now. 🙂
Susan, thanks for your notes – thorough and helpful. It’s great that you got to hear Joe Stowell in person. He is a good teacher.
Susan this was huge “He was silent, and then said, “If more Christians were like you, I might want to be one.” That’s the way I would hope to be seen by others and it is very hard when there is a history whether it is with family members or co-workers.
3. Share your notes from the above documentary with Joseph Stowell.
I’m going to have to do like Bing and bounce off of everyone else in notes this week. However, I am listening and thought two thing stood out in the video about Pergamum. The first one is that our current medical symbol comes from their God of medicine. The second one is that Christians were trying to fit in by being Christian, but attending the temples of the Gods. They hid their Christianity. Hmmmmm……
I actually wondered about that medical symbol Laura — and wonder if others know. I was always told it came from Moses holding up the serpent in the wilderness. Medical people — do you know which it really was?
Dee and Laura, I wondered about the medical symbol as well. I too had heard that it was based on Moses putting up the serpent in the wilderness. It is interesting how there is both a biblical as well as a pagan origin to the serpent symbol in medicine. I too wonder who chose the medical symbol and whether they were thinking Moses or the pagan one.
Everything that I have read points to the Greek god as the source of the symbol.
What we use as the medical symbol today, 2 snake around a winged staff, is supposedly a mistaken use of this symbol:
“The caduceus is the traditional symbol of Hermes and features two snakes winding around an often winged staff. It is often used as a symbol of medicine, especially in the United States, but this is incorrect. (The correct symbol for medicine is the Rod of Asclepius, which has only one snake and no wings.) The two-snake caduceus design has ancient and consistent associations with trade, liars, thieves, eloquence, negotiation, alchemy, and wisdom.
The modern use of the caduceus as a symbol of medicine became established in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century as a result of documented mistakes, misunderstandings and confusion”
But you can’t always believe what you read online.
It’s funny some of our sterilization supplies come from a company named Aesculap which was named for the Greek god (lots of ways to spell his name).
4. Revelation 2:12-17.
A. Addressed to the angel of the church in Pergamum.
B. Jesus is described as having the sharp double edged sword. I wonder if they had access to the book of Hebrews? In any case, it identifies Jesus as the One who can cut to the core and expose what is true and what is not. He is also the One who has the authority to rule and punish. The believers in Pergamum knew the Romans thought they were the ones with that power, so it is especially relevant to have their minds adjusted to Biblical reality.
C. They were commended for remaining true to Jesus’s name and not renouncing their faith.
D. They were rebuked for having among them people who were practicing sexual immorality and/or pagan sacrifices. I’m not sure if the rebuke is more directly to those acting in this way, or for the rest of the church for tolerating it? In the Old Testament, the people of God were called on to violently purge evil from their midst as a cancer that could spread. But in the New Testament, we are urged to confront them and try to lead them to repentance. If they will not repent, then to deny them fellowship until they do. These Jewish believers were probably just as inwardly conflicted as we are when someone close is going against the standards of God. Yet God held these accountable, and He surely holds us accountable as well.
E. How are they to respond? They are to repent, and they are to listen and hear, which is a call to agree with God and act on it.
F. The warning is that if they do not respond correctly, Jesus will come to the believers and fight against the ones in their midst who are immoral and compromising. The promise is for hidden manna and a white stone with a new name on it.
5. Notes from Campbell.
The picture of Jesus as having the sharp double edged sword is an expression of His authority over the church, and also over the kingdom of darkness. Satan is identified as the real enemy. Pergamum was a prominent center of emperor worship, and for devotion to the god of healing. Campbell says the serpent on a pole used in medicine today comes from then. I’d always been taught it came from the time of Moses, and was a symbol of looking at Jesus on the cross, bearing our sin. Someone else wrote about a connection between the tribe of Dan and the Greek world, suggesting they may have gotten the serpent on a pole image from Jews?
There were many other pagan temples there, reinforcing the sense of this being a center of demonic activity. The believers had been resisting all this, to the point of losing their bishop, Antipas, to martyrdom. Yet they have tolerated some idolatrous practices. He pointed out that the word Nicolatian means one who conquers the people, and Balaam means one who rules over the people. The compromise of either physical or spiritual purity is strongly linked with the other.
6. The quote about tolerance is so good! We see that said in lots of ways in strong Christian circles. Because in our world, tolerance is held as the highest principle; the one that is over all others. But the thing they simply will not and cannot tolerate is someone saying there is a standard outside of culture that is absolute. It is really hard to point out dirt on someone’s face if you aren’t supposed to say face or mirror or anything close to it.
I would think they would have had access to Hebrews — not their own Bibles — but scrolls.
Good notes and questions. I imagine both the practice and the tolerance of it were being rebuked.
I am late jumping in, but I love love love this study!!
I love Lara’s story. I love that she had the courage to give her TV to her friend, Debbie and to free herself from her unhealthy relationship. What a wonderful life she has now and what a joy to hear about her love of Jesus and others. What a generous and loving person to give to others all that she is given. Her life is such a blessing to your community. What a beautiful life of love, gratitude and humility.
I heard Jonathan Roumie (he plays Jesus in The Chosen) give his testimony to a church group. He was very gracious and he was humbled by all God has done for him. It was a youtube video. (I had just read Lara’s story before I listened to Jonathan.) He gave this quote from St. Vincent de Paul, which to reminded me of Lara.
The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it.
Vincent de Paul
What a great quote from Vincent de Paul, Patti. All I know about him is that Good Will type ministries are named after him. Catholic, I assume.
Love the quote about humility, Patti.
2. Where are you tempted to compromise? (Let’s each of us let God search us.)
I found this quote as a commentary by Eugene Peterson in “The Message” in Galatians 2. It stunned me because I recognized my rule-keeping idol, performance because others are “looking”, instead of because I’m loved by God.
“Rule-keeping is good behavior or religious behavior that’s performed because someone else is looking, or because God is looking. It’s living life by performance, by show, by achievement. And, of course, it imprisons us, because someone is always looking. When someone is looking, we never experience the joy of doing something just for the pleasure it brings to someone or for the sense of rightness it has in our own lives. … There’s no free space in such a life to be oneself, … doing what’s in our hearts, adoring, believing, loving. The gospel reverses that process: It begins with acceptance, then with the rush of freedom into the soul that acceptance brings, the spiritual life develops.”
I am not even sure I understand all of what God is truly trying to say to me here. I just know that I hear him say, “Stop trying so hard, Diane. Just let me love you.” I know that by rule keeping I am leaning toward salvation by works and also having a judgmental spirit toward others. God, deliver me from my sinful self.
Diane–this made my eyes tear ” I just know that I hear him say, “Stop trying so hard, Diane. Just let me love you.”
He has been telling me the same thing the last few years and it’s finally starting to sink in.
Diane, This really struck home with me too. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I need to stop trying so hard and let Him love me. I am a pleaser too and can be crushed if I let someone down or if my words come out wrong….it can keep me awake all night.
What a great introspective look, Diane — helps us all to do likewise and see what we resist seeing.
Tuesday: Where Satan Has his Throne
4. Read Revelation 2:12-15.
A. To whom is the letter addressed? (Rev. 2:12) – It is written to the angel of the church of Pergamum
B. How is Jesus described and why is this particularly relevant to this church. – He’s described as the one who has the sharp double edged sword. Is it because the people there are the same no matter what happens, they are not differing even though trouble is around them.
C. For what are they commended? – they were commended because they stayed true to the Word of God and did not renounce their faith in times of trouble.
D. For what are they rebuked? – They are rebuked because some of them turned away from the truth and they did not try to stop them and urge them to repent and turn back.
E. How are they to respond to this rebuke? – They are to repent of their sins and failings.
F. Find both the warning and the promise. – If they don’t repent then he will come and fight against them with the sword of his mouth, the truth.
Tuesday: Where Satan Has his Throne
4. Read Revelation 2:12-15.
A. To whom is the letter addressed? (Rev. 2:12)
To the angel of the church in Pergamum
B. How is Jesus described and why is this particularly relevant to this church?
He who has the sharp double-edged sword. This type of sword can cut through any vestige or veneer from either side. Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Perhaps Jesus is saying that we cannot be straddling the fence when it comes to our loyalty to Him-in the church but of the world? He is the sole authority.
C. For what are they commended?
For remaining true to His name and not renouncing their faith amidst persecution
D. For what are they rebuked?
For holding on to the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans (food sacrificed to idols and to the practice of sexual immorality)
E. How are they to respond to this rebuke?
To repent
F. Find both the warning and the promise.
Warning: Jesus will come and fight against them with the sword of His mouth.
Promise: To those who overcome will be given the hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it known only to the one who receives it.
1.Read Dr. Campbells first three paragraphs under “The Church at Pergamum and list his main points. (In the kindle, stop at the sentence that begins “Christ now comes.”
Greetings
Encouragement
Condition of the church
Commendation
Rebuke
5. In his commentary on Revelation, Michael Wilcock makes an apt comparison of Pergamum to our western world which preaches “tolerance.” Wilcock writes: “…a soft-centered permissive society can be curiously hard on those who refuse to go along with it.” How do you see this today in our western world?
I think what we see in our world today is reminiscent of many times in the OT and has perpetuated through the centuries: Deuteronomy 12:8 “You shall not do as we are doing it here today, everyone doing what is right in their own eyes.” And approximately 100 years later, “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” Judges 17:6
A commentary I read of Judges 17:6 says, “Everyone doing what was right in their own eyes signifies a highly individualistic and self-focused societal reality. It was not simply that the people were self-interested. Their basis for morality, right and wrong, was centered upon their own will and desires. This was in spite of the incredible fact that they were the only people to who God had ever given His law to.” JB Shreve
Tolerance means I do my own thing and you do yours and that is okay.
The phrase “ …Israel had no king” in Judges 17 above struck me. No more than now do we need a King in our lives. Only Jesus should be King of our lives and obey His standards.
Good quote, Bing, on Judges.
Their basis for morality, right and wrong, was centered upon their own will and desires. This was in spite of the incredible fact that they were the only people to who God had ever given His law to.” JB Shreve
Such a great comment on tolerance
Doing right in their own eyes
4. Read Revelation 2:12-15.
A. To whom is the letter addressed? (Rev. 2:12) The church of Pergamum
B. How is Jesus described and why is this particularly relevant to this church. The One who has the 2 edged sword. The 2 edged sword is the Word of the Lord rightly dividing the Word of truth. It separates the true from the false like a sharp knife that can separate the joints and the marrow. It is relevant to them because they are starting to accept falsehood into their church.
C. For what are they commended? They hold firmly to Jesus’ name and do not deny the faith.
D. For what are they rebuked? Some 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 and some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
E. How are they to respond to this rebuke? Repent
F. Find both the warning and the promise. He will wage war against those who won’t repent and give hidden manna and a stone with a new name to those who do.
Tuesday
Read Revelation 2:12-15.
A. To whom is the letter addressed? (Rev. 2:12) The angel of the church
B. How is Jesus described and why is this particularly relevant to this church. The one with the sharp two-edged sword.
C. For what are they commended? They live in the city of Satan, yet they’ve remained loyal to Christ. Refused to deny Him even when Antipas was martyred.
D. For what are they rebuked? They tolerate some among them whose teaching is that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel, taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. Similarly they have some Nicolations among them who follow the same teaching.
E. How are they to respond to this rebuke? Repent of their sin.
F. Find both the warning and the promise. Warning: He will come suddenly and fight against them with the sword of His mouth. Promise: To everyone who is victorious He will give some of the manna that’s been hidden away in heaven. He will give to each one a white stone engraved with their name that no one understands excepts the one who receives it.
Tuesday
5. Read Dr. Campbells first three paragraphs under “The Church at Pergamum and list his main points. (In the kindle, stop at the sentence that begins “Christ now comes.”
The picture of Christ’s sword serves as an expression of His authority over the church and over the kingdom of darkness too.
All the different gods and their temples point to the fact why Smyrna is identified where satan’s throne is and Satan as the real enemy of the believers.
The believers held fast, not denying the faith even when Antipas was martyred.
Balaam (one who rules over the people) and the Nicolations (one who conquers the people)may be related and some had given in to their teachings.
Both physical and spiritual compromise is in mind with this idolatrous city.
6. In his commentary on Revelation, Michael Wilcock makes an apt comparison of Pergamum to our western world which preaches “tolerance.” Wilcock writes: “…a soft-centered permissive society can be curiously hard on those who refuse to go along with it.” How do you see this today in our western world? I find that we live in an exceptionally hard society right now if you disagree with anything they think should be tolerated…sexuality (same sex marriage, adultery, gender dysphoria), ideologies, drug legalization, abortion etc. My son, a police officer, made his wife take off the “thin blue line” sticker on her car for fear of her being targeted…we’ve become a society of lawlessness. And of course there’s things they think shouldn’t be tolerated like, Christians.I will say that I do refuse to go along with any of the above, but it can be hard to stand up in certain settings. I can’t imagine seeing one of us being martyred but the time may come and that is where we have to “hold fast to His name!”
So sad about your son’s need to ask her to do that. But yes, I agree!
Agree.
God bless your son for his service, Sharon. I am so grateful every time I see a police officer! We live in an area that appreciates our officers, but nearby in Seattle they are not treated well and the crime is off the charts.
The values are upside down right now. I am so thankful for a church that holds on to the Word of God.
Thank you Patty. Our town is very good about supporting the police, but threats do come in that they have to take seriously. My husband and I are from Oregon and we have family in the Tacoma area…beautiful country!
Sharon, I am so thankful you are in a town where the police are supported and respected. Yes, the area is beautiful, but one has to be very selective finding a Bible believing church. Our church is so strong in the Word and we are so grateful for good teaching.
4. Read Revelation 2:12-15.
A. To whom is the letter addressed? (Rev. 2:12)
The letter is written to the angel of the church at Pergamum.
B. How is Jesus described and why is this particularly relevant to this church.
He is described as the “one with the sharp two edged sword.” This is relevant because these people have gone off the deep end! I’m not really sure why it’s relevant to the people, but when I looked up two-edged sword, I got this:
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
Hebrews 4:12 NLT
So, perhaps His word cuts deep to their core because they are acting wicked?
C. For what are they commended?
They are commended for their loyalty to Him.
D. For what are they rebuked?
They are rebuked for their acceptance of god worship, specifically Baal and sexuality.
E. How are they to respond to this rebuke?
They are to reject the practices.
F. Find both the warning and the promise.
They are to repent or face the sword of His mouth.
5. Read Dr. Campbells first three paragraphs under “The Church at Pergamum and list his main points. (In the kindle, stop at the sentence that begins “Christ now comes.”
The Lord brings and encouragement before a warning.
The sword is an image of authority over both the kingdom of light and darkness.
Satan is the real enemy.
The Pergamums have done well resisting, and even lost a member who was martyred. However, they are tolerating pagan practices still.
Both spiritual and physical compromise (idolatry) are occurring.
6. In his commentary on Revelation, Michael Wilcock makes an apt comparison of Pergamum to our western world which preaches “tolerance.” Wilcock writes: “…a soft-centered permissive society can be curiously hard on those who refuse to go along with it.” How do you see this today in our western world?
Oh yes, it’s everywhere. People are “sensitive” about everything. It’s as if no one has a backbone anymore. If you don’t agree on gender issues, and allowing children to change themselves, then you aren’t sensitive to their pain. Another one that drives me crazy is the “safe spaces” we are to provide for students who are feeling “overwhelmed.” If we don’t, then we aren’t sensitive to their “feelings and emotions.” Don’t forget the race issue either. We are being persecuted by being told that we are racists, when in fact, it is not true. Funny how the professed “tolerant” aren’t tolerant to some groups. UGH. What have we created? People have no internal will anymore. Saying these things makes me look cruel. I just see these examples as people making excuses for their shortcomings instead of dealing with the real problem.
Laura, I pray and think of you often as a school teacher because you’re right in the heat of it all. Have they required CRT be taught up there?
Thank you Sharon. That’s means so much to me! Not yet, but they “tabled” the Bill. That means school districts could do it unless the state says no with legislation.
7. The King of Moab offered Balaam both wealth and power if he would curse the Israelites.
A. What does God tell Balaam in Numbers 22:12?
He says Baalam should not go with the people and he should not curse them for they are blessed.
B. What does the King Balak of Moab tell Balaam in Numbers 22:17?
The king says he will pay Balaam very well to curse the people.
C. What does Balaam do according to Numbers 22:21-23 and how does God stop him?
Baalam takes the bait and goes to curse the people. God sends an angel to block the road, several times!
8. What do you learn about Balaam from Revelation 2:14? How was this a sneaky way to curse the Israelites?
He taught the people how to sin by eating the improper foods and being sexually immoral. The Israelites wouldn’t think anything was happening to them! It happened through their “normal” lives! This is exactly what is happening today with us! We are being told that we are racists, we are allowing our government officials to take us over through laws. Oh my goodness, it is strikingly similar that it makes me cringe inside! Of course we would believe our “leaders.” We voted them into office (DOUBLE UGH!) But CRT??? That is discrimination to the human race (the only race might I add). Thank goodness we had brilliant founding fathers who were so foresightful (is that a word?)! There are 23 states so far that have voted against teaching young, impressionable minds this “theory” in schools. I can’t believe my state tabled the Bill. What?! I think they didn’t know enough, but please! Anyone can read the text and glean what they need to from it. If your state hasn’t passed a Bill against it, you should get involved. The media is chanting the same mantra over and over trying to make us believe various things, when in reality it isn’t that way. Isn’t that called brainwashing? Do I dare go that far? I don’t trust anyone anymore who isn’t a Christian, because they have gone so crazy with the secular stuff it is frightening. Again, it is why we will homeschool the grandkids. I don’t care how tired and old I am! Hahaha. Our biggest concern is now where to move where we will feel like we fit in and want to spend our money there. Florida, my homeland, is looking pretty good right now. That governor cares about ALL his constituents and is trying his best to actually protect them! Never thought I would ever say I would move back to Florida! To many poisonous snakes and flying cockroaches! 🤷🏻♀️
Haha!! I laughed at your last sentence as NC has a lot of poisonous snakes… and flying roaches! My Dad who served in the military and was stationed in NC, said that God was preparing him for Africa way before he knew he’d be going there!
Hahaha!
4. Read Revelation 2:12-15
A. To whom is the letter addressed?
To the angel of the church in Pergamum.
B. How is Jesus described and why is this particularly relevant to this church?
Jesus is described as the One who has the “sharp double-edged sword”. Because this church is going to be given a warning by Jesus, perhaps this is why His image is not a comforting one.
C. For what are they commended?
They are commended for not renouncing their faith in Jesus, despite the martyrdom of Antipas and the heavy influence of Satanic forces all around them.
D. For what are they rebuked?
There are some in the church who hold to the teaching of Balaam, meaning that they are participating in, and enticing others, to eat food sacrificed to idols and to engage in sexual immorality (these things being done in the temples of other gods). Others hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which the Lord hates.
E. How are they to respond to this rebuke?
They are to repent.
F. Find both the warning and the promise.
The warning: If these people don’t repent, the Lord will soon come and fight against them with the sword of His mouth.
The promise: To the faithful, they will be given some of the “hidden manna” and a white stone with a new name written on it, a name known only to the one who receives it.
5. Read Dr. Campbell’s first three paragraphs under “The Church At Pergamum” and list his main points.
Christ introduces himself with an image relevant to the church He is speaking to.
The picture of Christ’s sword is not accidental: it represents His authority over the church and over the kingdom of darkness.
Satan is identified as the real enemy of the believers.
The first temple in Asia Minor dedicated to the emperor was built in Pergamum. The city was also known for its worship of Asclepius, the god of healing.
The believers at Pergamum have resisted the demonic influences of the cults and the state to the point that one of their own was martyred.
Yet, they are tolerating some idolatrous practices: eating meat in pagan temples and sexual immorality.
Both spiritual and physical compromise was occurring.
6. In his commentary on Revelation, Michael Wilcock makes an apt comparison of Pergamum to our western world which preaches “tolerance”. Wilcock writes “….a soft-centered, permissive society can be curiously hard on those who refuse to go along with it.” How do you see this today in our western world?
Well, I think in our culture here today, we’ve gotten ourselves in a bit of a predicament. As believers, we find any kind of hate crime against an individual that is based on their sexual identity, race, gender, as heartbreaking and awful. It is not right to target an individual and harass or hurt them for any reason. So we feel empathy for victims because they are human beings made by God, and we do not wish harm on anyone. And so, out of that comes the “softness” of tolerance. In regard to other kinds of compromise, like couples living together who aren’t married, if you say that is wrong, you are deemed “old-fashioned” or hopelessly out of touch. It is also evident in the way we raise our children today, and I’ve seen this among Christian parents, too. The things I hear kids say to their parents (back-talk) and disrespect shown….well, if I had said something like that to my mom or dad, I would have run for my life! It just would not have been tolerated. I am a part of an “empty-nest” FB group, and the recurrent posts by heartbroken moms over the total lack of care by their adult children is a recurrent theme: “Our son came home to pick up his birth certificate in 2018 and we haven’t heard from him since…..our adult child never calls….never called to check on his dad when his dad had CoVid….we never see our adult child….” In our highly individualistic society, it seems that in some families, once adult children don’t need their parents anymore, they have no use for them. There is also the marginalization of the elderly, which reflects an attitude of “they’re not my responsibility”.
Susan, your comments about the empty-nest group resonant with me. I do wonder why so many adult children feel no sense of love and commitment toward their parents, no sense of responsibility. So sad! You always make me think.
Susan, Your last paragraph made me cry. It is so sad that so many adult children have no interest in their parents. I am thankful for good relationships with our children, but I see many whose children feel the way you described. Our society is so “self focused” ~ something I think is evident in the teaching the public schools and colleges. Thank you for your insights.
Laura, I wanted to ask the same question Sharon asked. You must have a ton of pressure teaching school these days. I think teaching is a Missionary career in our own country. God bless you for what you do.
I agree, Patti, that much of it has to do with our society being so self-focused. It takes the sacrifice of one’s time, and some effort, if adult kids live far away, to keep in touch. I also know a few women who used to be close to their sons, but when they married, for whatever reason, the daughter-in-law doesn’t want them to be close anymore. I am fortunate to have a daughter-in-law who seems to welcome my coming to visit her and my son as they live in NC. I try to text and call her on a regular basis, and always bring her a little gift when I visit.
I’m sure you are a wonderful mother-in-law, Susan. And wise.
Patti, it is worse than ever in the schools. There are 4th graders “cussing out” their teachers! Unbelievable. We have teachers who are applying for positions who are young and have been brainwashed in the colleges. They put their “pronouns” under their name to make sure we understand just who they are! It’s awful. As if I can’t tell a boy from a girl….I don’t believe in what they profess and they can’t make me. God made each of us just who He wanted us to be. Just because they are not believers doesn’t mean I should change my beliefs. That would be compromising my faith. Not going there! I chose the applicant that didn’t do that (among other good reasons as well). It doesn’t fit the culture of the school district where I work. But, it’s happening everywhere! There are towns that are allowing drag queens to come into the public libraries and read books like, “the drag queens hips go swish swish swish?!” Again, unbelievable! Would you let your toddler listen to that? It’s child abuse as far as I am concerned. But, we allow it. I would never send my kid to any secular college in this country right now. The idea of different thoughts is not welcomed there oddly enough! College is supposed to be a place where you can disagree and learn from that. Not anymore. It’s now come to our “regular” world. God help us all!
P.S. I’m not a hater. I just have strong beliefs in the good of the Lord. If those people want to behave in that manner then go ahead. That’s between them and the Lord. But, don’t try to push it on me.
5. Read Dr. Campbells first three paragraphs under “The Church at Pergamum and list his main points.
There is an encouragement and then a warning
The image of the sword expresses Christ’s authority over the church but also over the kingdom of darkness
Satan is the real enemy
There was some serious cult worship going on in Pergamum
The believers had resisted the cults, one of them even unto death, yet they allowed certain idolatrous practices to go on in their midst.
6. In his commentary on Revelation, Michael Wilcock makes an apt comparison of Pergamum to our western world which preaches “tolerance.” Wilcock writes: “…a soft-centered permissive society can be curiously hard on those who refuse to go along with it.” How do you see this today in our western world?
If one believes that the Bible is true and that God does not condone homosexuality you are assumed to be a homophobic, hateful person. I feel like my life needs to demonstrate care, so that if I am asked for what I believe people will know by my life that I am not speaking from a place of moral superiority or hate, but one of genuine concern.
The people we walk with who don’t know Jesus, who do not have the Spirit of the Living God to show them the way, we cannot expect that they would understand why we believe the Bible is true- they are dead to the things of God, unless he opens their eyes they are lost, this should break our hearts, my heart, more than it does.
I agree with you about Balaam, Dee! In Numbers 23:10, he says of Israel, ‘let me die the death of the righteous and may my end be like theirs,’ though this was under the influence of the Holy Spirit. How could he be so close and yet so far away?? But then again, how can I have received His mercy and been in His presence, yet seek my own pleasure?
7. A. God said not to go; he was not to curse the Israelites.
B. Balak said to not pay attention to what God said; that Balak would make it worthwhile.
C. So Balaam set out. In the night, God had given permission to go, but only to do what God directed. Evidently, the eagerness with which he set out showed his real heart of greed rather than reverence to God. So God sent an angel to stand in the way and turn his heart away from his folly. Oh, how often God has needed to stand in my way, and I’ve responded with the same kind of partial repentance that leaves room for me to nurse my desires rather than be ruthless with myself for respect of God!
8. What do you learn about Balaam in Revelation 2:14? While he technically ‘blessed’ the Israelites as God wanted, he looked until he found a way to give Balak advice that would undermine the people of God. In doing that, he presumably got the money he was after. He knew he was going against the principal and spirit of what God desired, but he could try and claim that he had been obedient.
9. What do you learn about false teachers and prophets?
A. 2 Peter 2:1-2. They do their sabotage in secret, slyly bringing in doubt and falsehood, and many will fall for it.
B. 2 Peter 2:13-19. These people are corrupt, greedy, appealing to the flesh. While they are right in with real believers, ‘ they feast with you,’ their destiny is destruction.
Yes, Mary — I need to see myself in Balaam!
10. The application for you or your church.
It is terrifying to me how fragile we are! How easily we are led astray, either on our own or by others. How desperately we need the Lord to defend us, open our eyes, confront us, and point us continually to the truths of Scripture.
I find I am really struggling these days. I’ve not stopped doing the daily things that can bring me into His presence, but I’m having a lot of trouble connecting to Him in a way that works itself out into changed behaviors. I confess I am weary of how hard it is to constantly fight the world, the flesh and the devil. I need to repent, remember Who is sovereign, and rest in His ability to hold me safe.
11. Two promises are made to the one who hears, obeys, and is victorious in Revelation 2:17.
The promises are for the hidden manna and the white stone. Before this study, I would have seen both of these as promises for the future. But now, I am looking at them and saying right now, today, God will supply what I need. He will lift up my eyes to see His sufficiency. He has already invited me into His presence, and is rejoicing over me with singing. Yes, there is a future application to this, of a much greater magnitude than I can comprehend now.
12. What do you learn about hidden manna and the white stone from Campbell?
Jesus warns them to repent, or He will use His sword against them. When Balaam set out to go to Balak, the angel opposing him threatened him with a sword. Later, he died by the sword at the hands of the Israelites. We need to pay attention to the ‘sword’ Jesus threatens us with here. Jesus is issuing a warning to false teachers and to those who tolerate them. Tolerance of sin is a sin. In our society, we tolerate sin because we want others to tolerate our sin. I would add that we don’t confront sin around us because we don’t want to be confronted. The Israelites who gave in to Balaam’s advice ended up dying by the sword of judgment.
The hidden manna. It is not openly seen now, but will be served at the marriage feast of the Lamb. Much of what is visible now is that which the world applauds, is that served at idolatrous places. To take this is at great cost. You could lose the hidden manna. Made me think of a visual aid from years ago, where you offered small children a little coin now, or if they waited and trusted you, you would give them a dollar later. Immaturity or distrust makes some take the coin. But when you hold fast to the One making the promise, you can wait for the greater reward.
Campbell says the white stone could be another reference to manna. White generally signifies righteousness. Getting a new name connects to the names of God, Jesus, and the new Jerusalem, where the new name is to be on believer’s foreheads. Jesus, as the first fruits, is the first to get His new name, and His faithful ones will get theirs in time. Both Pergamum and Philadelphia are given this particular promise, and both were commended for being faithful to Jesus’s name. This is in direct contrast to those who take the mark of the beast, and his name. Taking the name has ties to taking the character on. Isaiah had said we would get a new name.
Mary, I believe you touched on something here that is hard for me, too, and for all of us: “I’ve not stopped doing the daily things that can bring me into His presence, but I’m having a lot of trouble connecting to Him in a way that works itself out into changed behaviors. I confess I am weary of how hard it is to constantly fight the world, the flesh, and the devil.”
That’s the key issue – faith working its way out into changed behaviors. I read once that it is sometimes easier to “see where God has been”, rather than see what He is doing right now. I may feel, for instance, that I am not changing, but if I look back at my life, I can see how I have made progress in certain areas, with God’s help.
Susan, as I continue working on Revelation I sense a greater awe of God that helps me in the fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil. I pray that will be true for me and us!
Thank you for the great thoughts, Mary. I struggle here too. I had a really grumbly day yesterday and felt like I was a lost cause. I just was not handling life well at all. I was trying to read and to pray and I was hitting a brick wall. I had my lesson all complete….and I felt like a failure at life. All of my responses to things were the exact opposite of how I should have felt and responded. I had an hour chat with my daughter on the phone ~ and she was encouraging. Sometimes I just need someone else to give me their perspective and I can see things more clearly. Satan is like a crouching lion who is always looking for a soft spot to attack. I was so weary.
I love this from your answer: I confess I am weary of how hard it is to constantly fight the world, the flesh and the devil. I need to repent, remember Who is sovereign, and rest in His ability to hold me safe. Thank you.
Patti — so glad you have become visible here for you are such an encourager, an encourager I have known for 50 years!
And Dee, you have encouraged me so many times!!! So thankful for the many years of friendship. I got the Chloe book and I love it!!
Dee, I did a little online research about the medical symbol. Our son, who is a Navy doctor, got a tattoo of the Caduceus on his side. It’s the two serpents around the staff with wings at the top, superimposed on an anchor. Hidden in the anchor are the initials of my dad, who was in the Navy in WWII and my father-in-law, who was in the Navy in the 1960’s.
There are two symbols used to represent medicine: One is the Caduceus, and the other is the Rod of Asclepius. The Caduceus is a symbol with a short staff entwined by two serpents, sometimes surmounted by wings, while the Rod of Asclepius is the one with a single snake.
Why a snake? The answer has its beginnings when Moses, around 1400 BC, used the bronze serpent erected on the pole to cure the people who were bitten by snakes. The other reason why serpents are used is the shedding of the skin that indicated longevity and immortality. The snake’s ability to change from a lethargic state to one of rapid activity symbolized the power to recover from an illness.
The Caduceus is a symbol of Hermes or Mercury in Greek and Roman mythology. The Rod of Asclepius was the revered Greek god of healing. In 1910, The American Medical Association had the staff of Asclepius as its symbol. Other medical organizations did the same. The US Army Medical Corps, the Public Health Service, and the US Marine Hospital however use the Caduceus largely as a result of the adoption of the Caduceus as its insignia by the US Army Medical Corps in 1902. It symbolizes administrative emblem, implying neutral and noncombatant status.
Susan, This is such good and interesting information! Thank you to your dad, your son and your father in law for their service. Thank you for the great explanation!
Susan, I also did a search but the article I found was very long and I was getting ready for bed. LOL Thanks for this great explanation.
Thanks for all this research, Susan. So interesting. My husband’s Christian medical clinic had it in front, and I wanted to believe the best of it!
Wednesday: False Teachers Like Balaam
Next, Jesus mentions the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22 and 23) who was seduced by offers of wealth and fame by Moab’s King Balak who wanted him to curse Israel. What I find interesting about this account is that Balaam’s words sound good, but he found a way to still curse Israel and curry favor with King Balak.
7. The King of Moab offered Balaam both wealth and power if he would curse the Israelites.
A. What does God tell Balaam in Numbers 22:12?
D onto go with them and do not put a curse on them
B. What does the King Balak of Moab tell Balaam in Numbers 22:17?
He will be rewarded handsomely.
C. What does Balaam do according to Numbers 22:21-23 and how does God stop him?
He got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the Moabite princes. The donkey did not want to move any further as the angel of the Lord stopped him.
God finally lets Balaam go to the King. In Numbers 23-24 he refuses to verbally curse Israel. But the story isn’t over.
8. What do you learn about Balaam from Revelation 2:14? How was this a sneaky way to curse the Israelites?
Balaam told Balak to entice the Israelites to eat food sacrificed to idols and to engage in sexual immorality.
It was a sneaky way to curse the Israelites because once the Israelites do these things, they are cursed because of disobedience.
I find this very sobering, for it shows how devious false teaching can be. In my community, we have many ministers who claim to be Christian but you will not hear about the blood, about hell, or a true presentation of the gospel. These ministers could preach in Iran and never go to prison. They preach homilies about love and use Scripture to do so, so people are deceived, thinking they are hearing true Christianity.
8. What do you learn about false teachers and prophets like Balaam from the following:
A. 2 Peter 2:1-2?
They introduce destructive heresies, denying the Lord, bring the way of truth in disrepute.
B. 2 Peter 2:13-19?
They carouse in broad daylight, eyes full of adultery, seduce the unstable, experts in greed, they are like springs without water and mists driven by a storm; they mouth empty boastful words appeal to the lustful desires of the flesh, entice people, promising freedom when they themselves are depraved.
9. What application do you see for your life or your church from today’s lesson?
To proclaim the gospel, speak the truth in love and without any apologies. Fear can get in the way of sharing the truth to the point of the truth being watered down. Then it is no gospel at all.
10. What two promises are made to the one who hears and obeys and is victorious in Rev. 2:17?
Hidden manna, white stone, a new name
7. The king of Moab offered Balaam both wealth and power if he would curse the Israelites.
A. What does God tell Balaam in Numbers 22:12?
God told Balaam not to go with the officials of Moab and not to curse the Israelites, because the Israelites have been blessed.
B. What does the king Balak of Moab tell Balaam in Numbers 22:17?
Balak promises even more money to Balaam and says that he will do whatever Balaam tells him to do, as long as he will come and curse the Israelites.
C. What does Balaam do according to Numbers 22:21-23 and how does God stop him?
Balaam goes with the officials but God is angry about it, and while they are on the road, an angel of the Lord with a drawn sword stands in the way of Balaam riding on his donkey. The donkey sees the angel and bolts off the road into a field.
8. What do you learn about Balaam from Revelation 2:14? How was this a sneaky way to curse the Israelites?
Balaam showed Balak, king of Moab, how to teach the people of Israel to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. While Balaam didn’t outright curse them, he knew how to entice the people into idolatry and apparently shared that information with Balak. The people then would be sinning against God, which is when He usually punished them by withdrawing His protection, if they did not repent.
9. What do you learn about false teachers and prophets like Balaam from the following:
A. 2 Peter 2:1-2
Just as there were false prophets in Israel, so there will be false teachers among you. They are clever in the way they teach false heresies, and some even deny Christ. Many will follow their evil teaching and in this way, God’s way, the way of truth, will be slandered.
B. 2 Peter 2:13-19
Peter describes the false teachers as indulging in evil pleasures without even bothering to hide what they are doing. He calls them a disgrace and a stain. They delight in deception, yet eat with the believers at their fellowship meals. They are lustful and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They are greedy, and lure unstable people into sin. They are living under God’s curse. Peter compares these false teachers to Balaam, who loved to earn money by doing wrong. Peer says they are doomed to blackest darkness. They boast about themselves and they lure back into sin “those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception” with an appeal to twisted sexual desires. They promise freedom, but they are slaves of sin and corruption.
10. What application do you see for your life or your church from today’s lesson?
From today’s lesson on false teachers, I see that it is so important to really compare the teaching of a Christian leader, pastor, Bible teacher, or a fellow believer with what God’s Word says, that being the “plumb line”. I do see a distinction with false teachers….the ones that Peter is describing really seem to be wanting to deceive people and trick them. They are living in sin themselves, and want to lure others into the same ways. It’s like they want to ruin people’s lives and their relationship with God.
11. What two promises are made to the one who hears and obeys and is victorious in Rev. 2:17?
They will receive some of the hidden manna, and a white stone, upon which is engraved a new name that only the person who receives it can understand.
9. What do you learn about false teachers and prophets like Balaam from the following:
A. 2 Peter 2:1-2?
There will be false teachers. We must be able to recognize them. They will “practice what they preach.” They will teach deceivingly and will be condemned. Because of them, Christianity will be given a “bad name.”
B. 2 Peter 2:13-19?
They give in to evil pleasures where everyone can see. They are a disgrace. They make us look like hypocrites. They deceive us by acting the part of being a Christian. They love the sin and lure others in as well. They earn money by doing wrong, they are useless. They are doomed to darkness. They are slaves to sin and corruption.
7. The King of Moab offered Balaam both wealth and power if he would curse the Israelites.
A. What does God tell Balaam in Numbers 22:12? To not go with Balak’s people and he will not be able to curse the Jews.
B. What does the King Balak of Moab tell Balaam in Numbers 22:17? That he will honor Balaam richly if he comes and curses God’s people.
C. What does Balaam do according to Numbers 22:21-23 and how does God stop him? He went with Balak’s people and God put an angel in the road to block his way.
8. What do you learn about Balaam from Revelation 2:14? He taught Balak how to put stumbling blocks (eating forbidden food, sexual immorality) in front of Israel. How was this a sneaky way to curse the Israelites? He didn’t directly speak curses, but what he did caused many Israelites to stumble, which was likely harder to identify and get rid of then just an outright curse, which would have caused people to turn and repent.
9. What do you learn about false teachers and prophets like Balaam from the following:
A. 2 Peter 2:1-2? That they have a way of influencing and perverting the word of God and they will bring destruction upon themselves.
B. 2 Peter 2:13-19? They are the worst of the worst, they prey on unstable souls and enjoy it.
10. What application do you see for your life or your church from today’s lesson? To always be aware not only of what is being taught, but also what isn’t, as well as what example is being modeled by the leaders of the church.
11. What two promises are made to the one who hears and obeys and is victorious in Rev. 2:17? They will receive hidden manna and a new name known only to God and them.
I’ve thought a lot about the way of Balaam — to seem to obey but finding a way around it.
The main church in our community has a pastor who seems to preach the gospel, but on the side has classes about how wonderful Islam is.
Wow!
Wow, Dee! How bold the pastor is in your community to seem to preach the gospel but also have classes that praise Islam! Pastors and leader who put stumbling blocks before God’s people are judged severely by God. May none of us put stumbling blocks before our brothers and sisters in Christ!
Yes! And people are truly deceived by it.
Oh, Dear!! That is very frightening.
Dee, that is frightening!
Wednesday
7. The King of Moab offered Balaam both wealth and power if he would curse the Israelites.
A. What does God tell Balaam in Numbers 22:12?
God told Balaam “do not go with them (Balak & Moabites); you shall not curse the people (Israelites), for they are blessed.”
B. What does the King Balak of Moab tell Balaam in Numbers 22:17?
“I will indeed honor you richly, and do whatever you say to me. Please come, curse this people for me.”
C. What does Balaam do according to Numbers 22:21-23 and how does God stop him?
Balaam went on a donkey with the leaders of Moab. God was angry with him for going and the angel of the Lord stood in the way opposed against him. The donkey saw the angel with his sword drawn in his hand and turned off into the field and Balaam struck him to get back on the way.
8. What do you learn about Balaam from Revelation 2:14? How was this a sneaky way to curse the Israelites?
That he kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, that it was ok to eat things sacrificed to idols and commit acts of immortality. Because Balaam couldn’t curse Israel he used these sins to cause Israel to stumble and please Balak…very sneaky indeed. I’ve read that Balaam is a prototype of all corrupt teachers. Also, do I try to please “me” or “others”by justifying certain behaviors, that really are sin?
13. A. The hidden manna is a way of showing fellowship with the Lamb. The hiddenness will be revealed to God’s people at the end of time, but maybe even starting when we die.
B. The white stone. The color signifies the righteousness of the saints, having not soiled themselves. I think more so it shows how we are cleansed through Jesus’s blood. There is an association between the white, righteousness, and admission to the heavenly banquet.
C. The new name. We get to have Jesus’s new name, that none but He knows. To know someone’s name is to have an intimate relationship with them and to share in their character and power. And, a new name indicates new status.
14. Joe Stowell likened the hidden manna to the joys of fellowship with Jesus. The illumination, wisdom, sense of His presence, and answered prayers that He gives. Have you experienced any of this lately?
Last night I met with the young gal I mentor. She struggles hugely with deep, clinical depression, and while she has been going to work and even made it to church last Sunday, she hasn’t been opening her Bible or even keeping up on personal hygiene. We talked for a long time about how that is all part of depression along with the lies we hear, telling us it doesn’t matter, that it is no use, that God isn’t going to meet us anyway. And how we can’t make the connection with God happen, but we need to position ourselves to be ready when He opens the spigot. We have to keep our bucket right there by reading the Bible, showing up at church, humbling ourselves in prayer. She thought that because I’ve known Jesus for so long that my life is perfect and I never struggle. I could feel Jesus whisper to me that my recent struggle was specifically for her, so that she would be encouraged to keep on with God. Hidden? Oh, yes! But no less real!!
Lord, be with this young woman struggling with depression and lift her. Thank you for Mary and continue to help her to help her!
Mary, thank you for being a mentor to this young gal. Depression is becoming so common among our young people anymore. I believe the enemy is behind it to get their eyes off Jesus who is their peace and satisfaction.
12. What do you learn about the hidden manna and the white stone from Dr. Campbell in his closing three paragraphs under The Church At Pergamum?
Campbell writes that the hidden manna is the food to be served at the marriage supper of the Lamb. The white stone could be bdellium, and the color white represents righteousness. Campbell says that Jesus will receive a new name, and all of His followers will receive the same name.
13. In a longer commentary that Dr. Campbell did with G.K. Beale, we are given these insights. Please comment on any of them.
A. Hidden Manna: Campbell says that the hidden manna is actual food that we will eat in heaven with Christ, and represents fellowship with Him. I guess this makes sense, because Jesus said that He was the bread that came down from heaven, and that partaking of Him means we will have eternal life. The food we eat here will only sustain us for a while. As long as we’re here and in our bodies, we can’t appropriate or enjoy the hidden manna.
B. White Stone: It would only make sense that Jesus has to give us this white stone invitation, because we are not righteous in ourselves. Just as He clothes us with His righteousness, so He gives us our “invitation” to be admitted into heaven.
C. A New Name: I just read that in ancient times it was believed that to know someone’s name was to have power over them. So no one knows the new name that Jesus will one day have….and we will also be given a new name, or the same name as Jesus? Not sure I understand all of this, but maybe the fact that when we get to heaven we will be given access to this knowledge is because we will be free of our sin nature, and therefore will never abuse the right to know His name.
Wednesday
9. What do you learn about false teachers and prophets like Balaam from the following:
A. 2 Peter 2:1-2? They will cleverly teach destructive heresies. Even deny the Master who bought them. In this way they’ll bring destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. Because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.
B. 2 Peter 2:13-19? Their destruction is their reward for the harm they’ve done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. A disgrace and a stain among you. Delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals. Commit adultery with their eyes. Desire for sin is never satisfied. Lure unstable people into sin. Well trained in greed. Live under God’s curse. Wandered off the right road, following the footsteps of Balaam, who loved to earn money by doing wrong. Are as useless as dried-up springs or mist blow away by the wind. Doomed to blackest darknesses. Brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. Promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.
10. What application do you see for your life or your church from today’s lesson?
To know the Word of God is so important and praying for a spirit of discernment. We cannot be lazy in making sure that whomever we listen to preach and what they say, lines up with the word of God!
We need to be praying for our pastors and one another that we will remain steadfast and hold fast to His name.
11. What two promises are made to the one who hears and obeys and is victorious in Rev. 2:17?
They will be given some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven and a white stone with their new name engraved on it that no one understands except the one receiving it.
10. What application do you see for your life or your church from today’s lesson?
I need to be vigilant in the truth, The Word. I need to stand firm and speak out when what is presented seems “off.” I need to be persistent and not give up.
11. What two promises are made to the one who hears and obeys and is victorious in Rev. 2:17?
The promise is that those who listens and is “victorious” will receive the “hidden” manna and a personalized, engraved white stone.
14. In Joseph Stowell’s documentary he likened the Hidden Manna to the joys of fellowship with Christ — illumination, wisdom, the sense of His presence, and answered prayer. How have you experienced any of these recently? I have been praying for my non-Christian friend (co-worker) who has lupus and recently has been undergoing chemo treatments for cancer. Every treatment lands her in the hospital needing blood transfusions. She was cancer free at her check up and will finish her last round of chemo this week. She tells me all of the time that she appreciates my prayers.
Dawn, there is power in prayer, and aren’t we blessed to be a part of the answer to it?
Thursday/Friday: Hidden Manna, White Stone, New Name
11. What do you learn about the hidden manna and the white stone from Dr. Campbell in his closing three paragraphs under The Church at Pergamum? (Begin in kindle with “Christ now comes” and go to the end of the section.
Hidden manna is the food to be served at the marriage supper of the lamb. I wonder if we will be hungry in heaven? Or once we eat of the heavenly manna, food will not be a consuming thought anymore? We will find full satisfaction with and in Jesus.
The white stone with white representing righteousness.
12. In a longer commentary that Dr. Campbell did with G. K. Beale, we are given these insights. Please comment on any of them:
A. Hidden Manna: This refers to the food (now not visible)to be consummately consumed at the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:9) and thus represents fellowship with Christ. The reference to the manna as hidden means that it will be revealed to God’s people at the end of time and possibly beginning at death.
B. White Stone: The white color of the stone portrays the righteousness of the saints in not compromising and “soiling” themselves. …There is an association of white with righteousness in direct connection with the admission to a banquet (19:8-9) where the fine linen, bright and clean” represents “the righteous acts of the saints.”
C. A New Name: This refers to receiving Jesus’ victorious, kingly “name…no one know except Himself (19:12-16) …To know someone’s name…often meant to enter into an intimate relationship with that person and to share in that person’s character or power. To be given a new name was an indication of a new status.
A new status! Whether here on earth or in heaven, we are given a new status. I am often overcome by the gracious, loving hand of our Father made possible by the blood of Jesus Christ. May I live this out daily and not be hampered by my seeming failures and self-condemnation.
13. In Joseph Stowell’s documentary he likened the Hidden Manna to the joys of fellowship with Christ — illumination, wisdom, the sense of His presence, and answered prayer. How have you experienced any of these recently?
Ever since word got out that I am retiring, people would ask me about what I will do with my available time, resources (ha-like I am richer than when I was working), and how jealous they are of me. At times, I do not know how to respond especially to the latter.
I am so glad that Jesus is keeping me grounded in the surety of His love for me. That all the 18 years of my teaching career, He has grown me in knowing His joy rather than in my “accomplishments”. I look back and see the many answers to prayer: how to navigate the American education system, culture, etc, how to love my students even when I want to pull my hair out. I have sensed His presence guiding me with wisdom and illumination. Easy is not a word I would use to describe the last 18 years. But for sure, God was with me.
And as I and my husband start a new chapter in our lives, I have sensed His hand in leading us and showing us the favor of which I often feel we do not deserve. He is indeed a gracious, loving Father who knows our needs even before we ask.
All of the joys that I experience here are just an echo of what is to come. Lord Jesus, thank you!
Wonderful testimony of His hidden manna in your life, Bing.
15. Take away and why.
The meaning of repentance as recognizing and submitting to the sovereignty of God. I find myself thinking about it at odd times. I feel like I got handed a precious jewel. I don’t have to beat myself up when I’ve been sinning. I just need to look to Him and admit that He is God; I am not, and move on in what is right.
Love- “I feel like I got handed a precious jewel.”
This is so good Mary!
Wonderful, Mary. I think Gentle and Lowly helped us all with that!
Saturday:
14. What is your take-a-way this week and why?
We are living in modern-day Pergamum. How can I be faithful to the truth and speak it in love? How can I continue to take a stand for Jesus? Lord, be our guide and our courage.
Bing, such good questions.