In the World but Not of the World

Worldliness can be defined as “relating to this world as contrasted with heaven or spiritual life.”  God’s word has a few things to say about worldliness or affection for the world.

 

John 15:19

“…you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world.”

 

Romans 12:2

“2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

 

James 1:27

“27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

 

1 John 2:15-17

“15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

 

This morning, we our study in Revelation takes us what has been called the Worldly Church.  I’m speaking of the church at Pergamos in Revelation 2:12-17.

 

We have seen the Ephesian Church who left their first love.  We have seen the Smyrna Church who was persecuted for their faith in Christ.  Today, we turn to the Pergamos Church who was in the world and seems to have become of the world.

 

Pergamos was built on a large hill raising some one thousand feet above the plain, and was famous for at least four major structures.  These structures will go a long way in helping us understand some of what Jesus said to this church. 

 

First, Pergamos was known for its pagan worship.  It was home to highly decorated alter of Zeus, the Greek God.  This was at the top of the city. 

 

Second, Pergamos was known for its emperor worship.  The city was also home to the temple built in honor of Emperor Augustus, which was the first one built in honor of a Roman emperor in Asia. 

 

Third, in a lower level of the city, you had the famous Asclepion.  This was a complex of several buildings serving as a combination hospital/temple. Patients came from all over the world to be healed by the god Asclepius.

 

You probably have seen Asclepius’ rod, even though you didn’t know it by that name.  Here is the symbol of Asclepius. 

 

Finally, you had Pergamos’ famous public library that boasted over 200,000 handwritten volumes.  This collection of works was second in size only to Alexandria, and parchments made of animal skins originated in Pergamos in order to move it ahead of Alexandria. 

 

As I told you two weeks ago, Jesus’ normal letter writing structure included a praise, a rebuke, and instruction.  That is true for this letter to the Pergamos Church, and let us as the Emory Church listen closely. 

As usual, you find in verse twelve that this message was directed to the pastor of the church in Pergamos.  Then notice who it is from.  It is from the One who has the sharp two-edged sword.  When we look back at Revelation 1:16, we know that this message is from the resurrected Christ.

 

Revelation 1:16

16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

 

Did Jesus really have a two-edged sword coming from His mouth?  No, His word came from His mouth, and His word is an instrument of judgment.  See Hebrews 4:12.

 

Hebrews 4:12

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

 

13. Jesus praised the perseverance of the Pergamos Church, Revelation 2:13.

13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

 

As Jesus knew the good of the Ephesian Church and the Smyrna Church, He knew the good of the Pergamos Church.  Their good was that they persevered in the face of persecution. 

 

They held fast to His name and didn’t deny the faith.  Even in the face of death, they persevered and in a hostile environment. 

 

Jesus called this hostile environment of Pergamos a place where the throne of Satan was.  He could have been referencing the alter to Zeus or the temple built in honor of Emperor Augustus or the Asclepion.  Regardless, the city of Pergamos was a difficult place for Christians to live because of its opposition to Christ.

 

Also in verse 13, we are introduced to Antipas.  We know absolutely nothing more about this person.  He was probably a leader in this church but was martyred for his faith in Christ. 

 

However, again, that did not deter the Pergamos Christians.  They persevered, and Jesus praised them for it.   

 

And brothers and sisters, make no mistake, the Bible is clear.  Sooner or later, those who name the name of Christ and live accordingly will be persecuted in some form or fashion.

 

2 Timothy 3:12

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

 

 

15. Jesus complained about the compromise of the Pergamos Church, Revelation 2:14-15.

14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

 

In verse 14, Jesus complained or said He had a few things against the Pergamos Church.  His complaint can be summed up in one word, “compromise.”  While their belief remained solid in the midst of persecution, their behavior was compromised in the face of temptation with idolatry and immorality.     

 

Some in this church were holding to the teaching of Balaam.  Jesus clarified what He meant by saying that Balaam taught Balak to put a stumbling block before Israel in the form of eating things sacrificed to idols and committing sexual immorality. 

 

In short, Balaam was a prophet for hire.  Balak was pagan king trying to destroy Israel.  Ultimately, what Balaam suggested to Balak came to pass. 

 

Numbers 25:1-3

1 Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.

This idolatry and immorality was not only true of the doctrine or teaching of Balaam in the OT, but it was also true of the doctrine or teaching of the Nicolaitans in the NT. 

 

Notice the words in verse 15 “Thus you also.”  Those words equate Balaam and Nicolas. 

 

The Pergamos Church had allowed these individuals and these two groups to influence them to go the way of the world, to do that which God had forbade.  They allowed it, and they tolerated it. 

 

They didn’t do anything about it.  They didn’t hold them accountable or initiate church discipline.  They compromised with idolatry and immorality. 

 

The Corinthian Church was guilty of the same.  See 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 6.

 

1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 6

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you…6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

 

 

• Jesus requested repentance of the Pergamum Church, Revelation 2:17.

16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth

 

Jesus had one word for His instruction or need of the Pergamum Church.  In verse 16, it was repent.  To repent is to change your mind in such a way that changes your action.  The Pergamos Church needed to change their minds to recognize that idolatry and immorality was wrong and couldn’t be tolerated.  Then, they needed to change their action from tolerating these individuals to correcting these individuals.    

 

Otherwise, Jesus gave them a warning.  He would come to them and render judgement with His double-edged sword. 

 

It is interesting to note the change in pronouns in verse 16.  It wasn’t just the false teachers who were at fault.  The entire church was at fault for tolerating them.  Note the change from plural you to plural them.  If they didn’t repent, Jesus would come to the Pergamos Church as a whole and fight against them who held to these compromised behaviors.

 

 

Revelation 2:17

17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’ 

 

The Pergamos Letter ends with a promise like to the other churches.  However, it isn’t as clear to understand as the others. 

 

To the overcomers or sincere Christians in Pergamos, Jesus promised hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name.

 

When it comes to identifying these three items, the options are as numerous as the opinions.  Here is what I think. 

 

I believe the hidden manna to be Jesus Christ as the Bread of life from heaven.  For the Pergamos Christian, He may not have been seen at the time, but Jesus was their complete satisfaction and motivation for persevering and repenting. 

 

As for the white stone, first century judges would sometimes render their difficult verdicts by placing a white stone and a black stone in an urn.  When shaken, if the black stone emerged, the verdict was guilty.  If the white stone, innocent. 

 

If you put your faith and trust in Christ, you are declared innocent.  There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. 

 

Finally, the new name, although a mystery, is only for God’s chosen people.  It might be something like the change from sinner to saint.

 

 

Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, do you need to leave your worldliness of idolatry and immorality behind?  If you’re guilty, yes, you do.

Is anyone or anything sitting on the throne of your heart other than Jesus?  You can know by looking at what takes up your time and energy and finances.  Repent of your idolatry.

 

Are you guilty of immorality in your thoughts and or actions?  Immorality is any physical intimacy outside of the parameters of marriage.  God’s plan is one man in a one flesh relationship with one woman.  Anything else is immorality. 

 

Finally, if you’ve never called on the Lord to save you, you won’t get a white stone when you die.  You’ll get a black stone, and your name will remain sinner instead of saint.  Will call on Jesus today to save you?