Pergamum (Pergamos) Each of the seven epistles in this and the third chapter, commences with, “I know thy works.” Each contains a promise from Christ, “To him that overcometh.” Each ends with, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Each address has a threat or a promise, and most of the addresses have both. Their order seems to be ecclesiastical, civil, and geographical: Ephesus first, as being the Asiatic metropolis (termed “the light of Asia,” and “first city of Asia”), the nearest to Patmos, where John received the epistle to the seven churches, and also as being that Church with which John was especially connected; then the churches on the west coast of Asia; then those in the interior. Smyrna and Philadelphia alone receive unmixed praise. Sardis and Laodicea receive almost solely censure. In Ephesus, Pergamos, and Thyatira, there are some things to praise, others to condemn. Thus the main characteristics of the different states of different churches, in all times and places, are portrayed, and they are suitably encouraged or warned. Rebuke Christ rebukes this church for having those (putting up with them) who teach the way of Balaam, bringing wickedness into the church by encouraging practices that were forbidden to Christians. Balaam originally influenced Israel to commit "whoredom with the daughters of Moab", to sacrifice to Moabite gods, and to "eat" of the meat sacrificed to these gods (Num. 25:1,2, 31:16). 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. The church at Ephesus (Rev. 2:6) is commended for hating the “deeds” of the Nicolaitanes, and the church of Pergamos is blamed for having them who hold their “doctrines” (15). They were seemingly a class of professing Christians, who sought to introduce into the church a false freedom or licentiousness, thus abusing Paul’s doctrine of grace (comp. 2 Pet. 2:15, 16, 19), and were probably identical with those who held the doctrine of Baalam (q.v.), Rev. 2:14. Leviticus 19:31 NKJV 31 ‘Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:26 NKJV 26 ‘You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying. Rev. 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Let’s look at some of the historic heresies that tried to ingrain into Christianity: EARLY CHURCH Adoptionism: The belief that Jesus was born as a mere (non-divine) man, was supremely virtuous and that he was adopted later as “Son of God” by the descent of the Spirit on him. (AD 190) Apollinarism: The belief that Jesus had a human body and lower soul but a divine mind. (AD 390) Arabici: The belief that the soul perished with the body, and that both would be revived on Judgement Day. (3rd century) Arianism: Denial of the true divinity of Jesus taking various specific forms but all agreed that Jesus was created by the Father, that he had a beginning in time, and that the title “Son of God” was a courtesy one. (AD 250) Collyridianism: Belief that the Trinity consists of the Father, Son, and Mary and that the son is a result of marital union between the other 2. (2nd century) Docetism: Belief that Jesus' physical body was an illusion, as was his crucifixion; that is, Jesus only seemed to have a physical body and to physically die, but in reality he was incorporeal, a pure spirit, and hence could not physically die. (1st century) Sabellianism (Modalism): Belief that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three characterizations of one God, rather than three distinct "persons" in one God. (AD 190) Tritheism: Belief that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three independent and distinct divine beings as opposed to three persons of one being and one essence. (1st century) MEDIEVAL CHURCH Catharism: Catharism had its roots in the Paulician movement in Armenia and the Bogomils of Bulgaria, with a strong dualist influence against the physical world, regarded as evil, thus denied that Jesus could become incarnate and still be the son of God. (11th Century) Free Spirit: Mixed mystical beliefs with Christianity. Its practitioners believed that it was possible to reach perfection on earth through a life of austerity and spiritualism. 19th CENTURY Jehovah’s Witnesses: Religious movement which expects the imminent return of Jesus. Jehovah's witnesses believe in a one-person God. No Trinity. Jesus is the first thing God created (as Michael the Archangel). (1800’s) Mormonism: Religious movement that believes in a "Godhead" of separate and distinct beings: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as well as a Heavenly Mother. Further, it is believed that all humans as children of God can become exalted, or in other words, "As man now is God once was: As God now is, man may be." (1820’s) Christian Science: New divine truth which was better and “higher” than the Bible. Jesus was just the divine idea of God. (1879) Universalism: All religions are true and all will get to heaven. (unknown) Oneness Movement: That the 3 persons of the Trinity are actually one person playing different parts at different times. (19th century) As pagan influence continues to increase in these last days, Christianity will once again become completely out of sync with the times, with its message that Christ alone is the way to the Father. If this regressive trend continues, it is only a matter of time before the Bible is relegated to simply being just another book, a relic of a bygone era collecting dust alongside a host of texts representing other religions. When this occurs, the authority of Scripture in society and the Church will be lost: which is precisely what the devil wants to achieve. It’s already happening. Video 1 Video 2 TAKE AWAY QUESTIONS: 1. Are you accepting “little” heresies because they sound good or make you feel good? 2. Are you enough Biblical Literate to know heresy when it’s presented? 3. Can you defend the Faith against the “Seat of Satan” with love and compassion? Do you compromise Jesus’ words because of life experiences?