seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Revelation 2:12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
Here's the link to the commentary I have been using all along.The church at Pergamum was located in the capital city of Rome. This is where Antipas was martyred for being a Christian. The commentary says he was put to death because he witnessed for Jesus. In other words, he was one of those who would be willing to stand on the corner and yell "Repent, the end is near". Antipas was bold and told and got put to the Roman sword.
Jesus said "I'll get them back with My sword".
Verse 14 says some of the people were like Balaam. Balaam was one of those guys who want to do what the governor tells him to do even if it is not good in God's eyes. Balak wanted Balaam to put a curse on the Israelites, making them undesirable to God. The Israelites were really great at winning wars. They could wipe out anyone... as long as God was with them. Balak wanted Balaam to put a curse on them so Balak could beat them in a battle.
Balaam was the one who told Balak... if you can get them to join in orgies and eat food sacrificed to idols.... if you can get them to love idols [money] more than they love God... then you can defeat them.
Jesus told John, in this Vision, to tell the church that He knows what they are doing. "Stop it." Go back to putting God's wishes before you own. Stop trying to blend in to the crowd.
The church at Pergamum also put up with Nicolaitans. According to the commentary, the Nicolaitans were also active in Ephesus. Jesus didn't like the Nicolaitans.
I think the message of the Nicolaitans was "we're God's children so we can do whatever we want". Mind you though, I'm just an old woman with an online Bible and commentary. I have no training. I think the Nicolaitans were spreading the word that once you announce that you are a Christian... They taught "You are saved for life and you have no consequences. " Jesus doesn't like that and He's carrying a sword.
Then Jesus told John to close with the promise of a white rock with a new name.... and food that is perfect. When Jesus comes back... those of us who made it will get a new identity. We won't have to worry about Roman soldiers or their modern counterparts hunting us anymore. We won't have to ask where the food came from.
The commentary says the white stone was like an invitation. Back in the days when John was writing this... the white stone was a prepaid membership to any public venue.
My mind keeps telling me it'll be better than being in witness protection.
We won't have to worry about being poisoned.
Protection.... against poisoning.
