Pergamos

Revelation 2:12-17

Pergamos• 50 miles N/NE. of

Smyrna• the official capital

of Asia Minor• “the most illustrious city in Asia”• housed a library and hospital• nothing known about the

establishment of the church

Religion In Pergamos• religion was of great importance• known of as a city of temples devoted

to sensuous worship• being the political capital, it was also

the center of Emperor Worship• the test of political loyalty (calling

Caesar “Lord”) was felt more in Pergamos than in any other city in Asia

Identification

• He who has the sharp two-edged sword

• Would have brought great hope and reassurance to Christians who were suffering for their faith.

Commendation

• I know your works• where you dwell, where Satan’s

throne is• you hold fast My name, and did not

deny My faith• Antipas was My faithful martyr,

who was killed among you

Complaint

• But I have a few things against you • you have there those who hold the

doctrine of Balaam• you also have those who hold the

doctrine of the Nicolaitans

Counsel

• Repent

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

Promise• I will give some of the hidden

manna to eat• I will give him a white stone, and

on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it

Lessons From Pergamos• It is possible to be faithful to the Lord,

even in the worst environment and circumstances.

• Compromise and sin can be found in a relatively good church.

• There is no room in the church for compromise with the world.

• Were the Lord to visit us, would He bring a sword of protection or a sword of judgment?

Thyatira

Revelation 2:18-29

Thyatira• 40 miles SW of

Pergamos• the “least known, least important,

and least remarkable” of the seven cities

• the city became famous for its rare and expensive purple dye

• nothing known about the establishment of the church

Trade Guilds In Thyatira• Thyatira was a thriving manufacturing and

commercial center during first century.• Every trade had a guild or union. These trade

guilds were associated with idols. • In order for one to “get ahead” in Thyatira, he

had to belong to a trade guild. Membership implied that he worshipped the trade’s god, and he was expected to attend the feasts, in the idol’s temple, in honor of the god.

Trade Guilds In Thyatira “At Thyatira, a Christian’s livelihood was

affected by the issues involved in guild membership. Feasts sponsored by the guilds were held, at which meat consecrated to an idol was served, and where immoral fertility rites were common. Christians at Thyatira may have been pressured to conform to their environment… The power wielded by these trade guilds was to be feared because it was through them the citizens of Thyatira earned their daily sustenance” (R. Harkrider).

Identification

• the Son of God

• eyes like a flame of fire

• and His feet like fine brass

Commendation

• I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience

• as for your works, the last are more than the first

Complaint

• you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols

Counsel

• I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent

• I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death

Counsel

• all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts

• I will give to each one of you according to your works

• hold fast what you have till I come

Promise• I will give power over the nations• I will give him the morning star

• Heavily Messianic. Those who overcome will have victory in Christ.

Lessons From Thyatira• A church should not rest on past

accomplishments, but continue to increase in their service to the Lord.

• Christians are not to compromise their faith for social standing or economic prosperity.

• Those who teach error and influence others to sin are not to be allowed, suffered or tolerated. They are to be marked and withdrawn from.

• The Lord is patient, but His patience knows an end.