Letters to the Churches

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009- SPRING 2010
NOVEMBER 11,2009
LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Part 4

I. AUDIENCE IDENTITY - The Angel of the Church at PERGAMUM
A. The City - Although not a port city, it was the capital of Asia Minor and considered its greatest city. 100 miles north of Ephesus; Smyrna was about half way between them. Huge library (200,000 hand written volumes) which Mark Antony sent to his lover Queen Cleopatra. Cultural and learning center. Worship center of the four main Roman deities: Athena, Asklepios, Dionysos and Zeus. But more importantly it was the center for Emperor worship with at least three temples dedicated to emperors. This would have been a serious threat to Christians
B. The Church - Little if anything is known about the founding of the church and only the material found here tells us much about the church at all.

II. SPEAKER'S IDENTITY AND AUTHORITY TO SPEAK - The One who has the sharp two-edged sword Hebrews 4:12

III. MESSAGE
A. His commendation, even though they were in miserable conditions ("soil" for the gospel)
1. They held fast His name
2. They did not deny the faith
3. He knew by name the martyr of the city: Antipas. Tradition tells us he was roasted to death in a brass bull. This may have had something to do with failure to worship Dionysus, whose common name was "The Bull"
B. He knew where they lived; in the spiritual war, there are some men who have given themselves, and thereby the regions in which they live, over to Satan so that their culture in heavily entrenched in satanic thinking.
1. He knew where Satan's throne is
2. He knew where Satan lives
C. His charges against them were
1. There were those there who held the doctrine of Balaam
2. There were those there who held the doctrine of the Nicolaitans
D. HIS REMEDY FOR HEALING:
Repent or else I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

APPLICATIONS:
Little is required for Satan to gain the upper hand in a culture that is
1. Negligent in true worship
2. Willing to worship things instead of God
a. Consider our very materialistic approach to life
b. Consider our judgment on success. How do we know
one is "Succesful"?
c. Consider the things we now count "needs" that were
luxuries or wants before
3. Willing to compromise with the culture on the worship of its icons and idols
a. Consider the devotion to the entertainment world and its icons. "American Idol"? Rock star or rap heroes; watching TV
b. Consider the devotion to the sports world with its heroes and icons; individual or team devotion
c. Consider the devotion to political parties even when it is clear they are working for ungodly or even anti-God agendas
4. Negligent in sound doctrine but hungry for pragmatic, "interesting" testimonials of one group or another: selling out the truth for convenience. Allowing new doctrines to replace sound doctrine just because the presenter did such a good job of presenting it or because it was "fun". Being captured by new philosophies that
actually oppose biblical truth. Trusting teachers who are actually asking you to oppose people you have known to be solid in doctrine and practice. Accepting lies because the one telling it is a "good" person.
5. Allowing others to do your thinking and studying for you then placing them on a pedestal of honor for knowing
more than you. Allowing yourself then to be submitted to their teachings no matter how far-fetched they may seem.
6. Submitting yourselves to others because they have the title of authority even though they lack the character for it.

IV. PROMISE TO THOSE WHO OVERCOME - The one overcoming shall be given some of the hidden manna to eat. He shall be given a white stone upon which a new name will be written which no one knows except him who receives it
V. CALL TO THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO LISTEN