John Thiel mp3

The seven churches of Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are looking at Pergamos. I have entitled this sermon “Lofty Pergamos”. Remember that as we commence this series, this is the revelation of Jesus. The book of Revelation is a revelation of Jesus, and we’ve seen that the church is Christ’s body and He is the head of the church. When we study the seven churches of Revelation, we are studying one church in seven periods of time, that is, the one church; the church of Jesus Christ it is just one. 

In our exploration of Pergamos, we’ll uncover the specific challenges and messages meant for this particular period. Each church, including Pergamos, represents unique lessons and insights relevant to both historical and contemporary faith. Understanding Pergamos helps us apply its teachings to our own spiritual journey, making the timeless message of Jesus even more meaningful today.

As we know today, there are many Christian churches but there is only one, and we saw it in the very beginning, it’s the apostolic church, it’s the church that stands full on the truth that the apostles taught, that is God’s church. We read a valuable quote from the Spirit of Prophecy.

The church is God’s Fortress, his City of Refuge which he holds in a revolted world, any betrayal of the church is treachery to him. From the beginning faithful souls have constituted the church on Earth. In every age, the Lord has had his watchmen who have borne a faithful testimony to the generation in which they lived, these sentinels gave the message of warning when they were called to lay off their armor others took up the work God brought these witnesses into a covenant relation with himself, uniting the church on Earth with the church in heaven. He sent his angels to minister to his church and the gates of hell have not been able to prevail against his church his people.

Through centuries of persecution, conflict, and darkness, God has sustained his church through centuries. Not one cloud has fallen upon it, that he has not prepared for, not one opposing force has risen to counterwork his work that he has not foreseen. He has not left, all that has taken place as he predicted, he has not left his church forsaken, but has traced in prophetic declaration what would occur and that which his spirit inspired the prophets to foretell has been brought about. All his purposes will be fulfilled, his law is linked with his throne, and no power of evil can destroy it. Truth is inspired and guarded by God, and it will triumph over all opposition.

During those ages of spiritual darkness, the Church of God has been as a city set on a hill from age to age, through successive generations, the pure doctrines of heaven have been unfolding within its borders. This is God’s church which is identified here in feeble and defective as it may appear, the church is the one object upon which God bestows in a special sense his supreme regard it the church this feeble defective little people are the theater of his grace, in which he delights to reveal his power to transform hearts. AA 11.2

As I read this, can you appreciate the message upon your heart? The church has existed, the Christian church and faithful people have existed to this point in time and where are they? So many different churches, which one is which? You know, this is the problem that everybody is looking at, and that is why we heard a testimony today that this particular person doesn’t trust Christianity, because where is pure Christianity?

What we have seen so far is that the apostolic church was identified in Revelation Chapter 2 as the Church of Ephesus. That was the first beginning of the Christian church, and the reason why the word Ephesus was used in prophetic terms is because this is the pure church, the faithful church in the very beginning. The Apostolic church holding pure doctrine, but one of the problems of this church was that it had lost its first love.

We continued last week into the period of Smyrna, which was from 100 AD through to 323 AD. Here we studied the overcomer coming out of Ephesus, his love was rekindled, and he was prepared to sacrifice all for Jesus. This church, the name was Smyrna, which means sweet smelling savour. God looked upon them and their suffering, they stood true to him through pagan persecution and it was a sweet-smelling savour to Him.

That was 100 AD to 323 AD, which was the pagan period of persecution. Two centuries of bloodbath Christians were continually fed to the lions, heads chopped off, placed before the gladiators. It intensified for the last ten years under Diocletian the Emperor who preceded Constantine. Ten whole years of severe, instead of getting less it was getting more intense.

Can You Imagine the Cry of Believers?

Psalm 94:1 O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. 2 Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. 3 LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? 4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? 5 They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. 

We read the history, but it is important for us to enter into the experience of God’s faithful church. What kind of a cry was arising before the Lord? There it was, they were crying to be protected and that the Lord would stop it. At last, 323AD it stopped. Place yourself in that position. You have been harassed and you have been persecuted and your loved ones have been slain and your loved ones have been left behind and it stopped, it finally stopped. You hear how the emperor Constantine takes over after Diocletian and he became a Christian. That sounds so good doesn’t it.  This marked the beginning of the next period; Pergamos. There is the end of the persecution and the freedom of Christians. Jesus is speaking:

Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 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.  

Here is now a commendation of Jesus to start with.  You’re holding on, you’ve held on. You’ve held on through all those terrible pagan yes and now the tide has turned.  Now starts 323AD through to 538 AD. Another two centuries. Christian tranquillity. Here is another very important word – but.  What do we have? What do we see in this period of tranquillity? No more persecution. Jesus is speaking here and he is putting himself before them as the one who has a two edged sword. ‘I know your works, where you are dwelling. Where did Christianity end up with it’s head quarters? I know where you are dwelling.  

After the persecution ceased, the headquarters were in Jerusalem. After all this, Constantinople, Jerusalem, they were all vying with one another. They wanted to be the headquarters but it all ended up in Rome.  What do we know about Rome? According to what Jesus said, where Satan dwells. Paganism, Pagan Rome is where Satan dwelt. Just because now Constantine became converted and became a Christian, it was where Satan seat is. that’s what Jesus is saying. 

The word Pergamos brings a picture before us of the Christian church that had been downtrodden and now is elevated. The word Pergamos means “exaltation,” or “elevation”. Why does Jesus use this name to this church period? Why is this application given? 

But as persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God, she substituted human theories and traditions. The nominal conversion of Constantine, in the early part of the fourth century, caused great rejoicing; and the world, cloaked with a form of righteousness, walked into the church. Now the work of corruption rapidly progressed. GC 49.2

Persecution ceased.  Christianity was elevated and exalted to the courts of Kings. What does it look like to be exalted and elevated as Christians? There is huge danger.  

Now was the church in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire, and sword were blessings in comparison with this. CTr 320.4

We always cry for the terrible suffering to be cancelled.  But what is better? The suffering or the elevation? The sword and so on was a blessing in comparison to the elevation.

Some of the Christian stood firm declaring that they could make no compromise, others reasoned that if they should yield or modify some features of their faith and unite with those who had accepted a part of Christianity, it might be the means of their full conversion. CTr 320.4

Can you see the rationale here? Let’s meet them on their ground, it may lead to a full conversion. Lets not hold our standard extra high it my push them away, lets attract them.

Under a cloak of pretended Christianity Satan was insinuating himself into the church, to corrupt their faith and turn their minds from the word of truth. CTr 320.4

It was under persecution that they remained pure. They had no reproach, but now, they were falling into severe danger.  

Constantine, wishing to gain favor above the very men who were foremost in the opposition to Christianity, espoused the cause of that despised sect, and  through him, Christianity was raised to the throne of Rome. Pergamos means “exaltation,” or “elevation” and it was when nominal Christianity became popular, and swayed the civil government, that the two-edged sword of the Word was necessary to separate between the true and the false. SSP 53.2

Jesus said, ‘I’m he who is the two-edged sword, I’m here now to reveal something.’ Remember what our scripture was reading, the church was standing, the church was faithful through the time of Smyrna. As it comes into this period of relief from persecution in 1 Corinthians 10:12 is particularly relevant when the pressure is off, and you are exonerated as God’s children.

What is the danger?

1 Corinthians 10:12 If you think you stand, wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Just as we’re seeing it demonstrated in the Christian church of Pergamos, you can fall very quickly when everything is sweet, you seem to be exalted and elevated as a Christian is severely dangerous.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Something very deep to meditate here because the Christian church became elevated. The humility was brought to a glorious position and now was the terrible danger because the fall could take place.

There is no pride so dangerous as spiritual pride. GW92 128.3

Can We be Spirituality be Proud?

You want to believe God’s word as we are seeing it demonstrated in the Pergamos church. The elevation to a high and lofty place, to the courts of kings and palaces, there is a pride that comes into activity, spiritual pride where we are sharing God’s word in the big public places. Where there is acknowledgment that these are Christians and that kind of spiritual condition, ‘there is no pride so dangerous as spiritual pride.’

Spiritual pride eats out the vitals of religion. 3T 210.3

You want to believe it. As soon as you feel that you are right and you can tell other people a thing or two, it’s eating out the vitals of your religion.

How does Jesus express the perplexing threats facing the church during Pergamos?

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block 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 Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

What was the terrible danger that Balaam placed himself into which Jesus is referring to the Church of Pergamos?

Balaam was once a good man and a prophet of God; but he had apostatized, and had given himself up to covetousness; yet he still professed to be a servant of the Most High. He was not ignorant of God’s work in behalf of Israel; and when the messengers announced their errand, he well knew that it was his duty to refuse the rewards of Balak and to dismiss the ambassadors. But he ventured to dally with temptation, and urged the messengers to tarry with him that night, declaring that he could give no decided answer till he had asked counsel of the Lord.

Balaam knew that his curse could not harm Israel. God was on their side, and so long as they were true to Him no adverse power of earth or hell could prevail against them. But his pride was flattered by the words of the ambassadors, “He whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.” The bribe of costly gifts and prospective exaltation excited his covetousness. He greedily accepted the offered treasures, and then, while professing strict obedience to the will of God, he tried to comply with the desires of Balak. PP 439.2

As he was making his way to Balak he was riding the donkey and in front of the donkey there stood the angel and Balak was pushed against by. Just imagine you know the heavy body of the donkey pushes against the to avoid the angel. Then of course this donkey started to speak to him, but in spite of all this evidence of God’s direction in his life, he kept on pursuing something else.

The word Balaam is replaced by the church in the fourth and fifth centuries, for Balak is read Constantine or the Roman Emperor the exact history of the church is portrayed.  That’s why Jesus pointed to Balaam because look what you are doing just as Balaam did.

The church had known God, but it became covetous; while it still professed allegiance to the Most High. The church, tempted by the rich offers of the government, parlied with its ambassadors  and refused to declare the statutes of Jehovah, and remain a separate and peculiar people. The union of Church and State was formed in order to obtain the privileges and protection of the civil power. SSP 55.2

If we are truly God’s church and don’t depend on the government’s privileges, bear that in mind, because that’s what was the beginning of the problem for the church of in per in the period of Pergamos.

Pride, position, blessing, privileges, protection from civil power. As we contemplate this because we are here as we sang in our hymn, we are here to let God impress us warmly.

The doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made the law of God of no effect; that by “believing” we are released from the necessity of being doers of the Word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned (The Signs of the Times, January 2, 1912, reprinted from The Signs of the Times, February 25, 1897). 7BC 957.6

Is it the sin of the Nicolaitans, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness?

Those who are teaching this doctrine today have much to say in regard to faith and the righteousness of Christ; but they pervert the truth, and make it serve the cause of error. They declare that we have only to believe on Jesus Christ, and that faith is all-sufficient: that the righteousness of Christ is to be the sinner’s credentials; that this imputed righteousness fulfills the law for us, and that we are under no obligation to obey the law of God.

This class claim that Christ came to save sinners, and that He has saved them. “I am saved,” they will repeat over and over again. But are they saved while transgressing the law of Jehovah? —No; for the garments of Christ’s righteousness are not a cloak for iniquity. Such teaching is a gross deception, and Christ becomes to these persons a stumbling block as He did to the Jews, —to the Jews. BEcho February 8,2897, par.7

That is what it looks like to have the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. Then there was the other little statement that he made about it because they were sitting in the headquarters of the world in Rome and the church was in the headquarters. There was this strong movement among them because Rome is the center of the world, the church that has got its position there, the bishop of that church is therefore to be the head of all the church. Of all the other Bishops he was to be the head and that’s what came into focus there now.

Revelation 2:13 …and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

There was somebody who was antipope and he proclaimed that no, you are all brethren, not one minister over all the other ministers, you are all brethren. They didn’t like that and so they persecuted him, but Jesus made a clear preparation here by saying “repent”.

The apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Thessalonians, foretold the great apostasy, which would result in the establishment of the papal power. He declared that the day of Christ should not come, except there comes a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. And furthermore, the apostle warns his brethren that the mystery of iniquity doth already work. Even at that early date, he saw, creeping into the church, errors that would prepare the way for the development of the papacy. GC 49.1

Little by little, at first in stealth and silence, and then more openly as it increased in strength and gained control of the minds of men, “the mystery of iniquity” carried forward its deceptive and blasphemous work. Almost imperceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the Christian church. The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for a time by the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism. GC 49.2

Then came the terrible danger and now it crept in slowly but surely so what did Jesus say to this creeping compromise what did He say to them to that church?

Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

This is a very beautiful description of Jesus. He hasn’t thrown them out two centuries of Christian creeping compromise, He was still regarding them as His church. It’s an interesting study through my years that I’ve looked at, it caused me much wonderment that God regards a church that is already compromising still His church.  He’s telling them to repent, but I haven’t forsaken you. Repent I’m trying to turn you back but because that church didn’t turn back.

Revelation 2:21 Behold, and I gave her space to repent of her fornication.

Now we understand this amazing mercy, grace, and love that God waits for in this particular incident. Two centuries before he says now, you’re gone. What a meditation of God’s character?

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing: that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Two centuries long suffering of God, of Jesus. He is warning but He hasn’t given her up.  I want you to repent, I don’t want you to be lost. See what a God we have, what Jesus is.  The wrongs the church is doing is horrible, but He is not casting her off, he is appealing to her, ‘I gave her space to repent.’  What do we take from this if in the church we see anyone in spiritual pride that is demonstrated by Pergamos? We are to take hold of Jesus and his nature, long patience, appeal just as he took a long time with ancient Israel.

Hosea 11:8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. 9I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not enter into the city.

While He is so patient there comes a point in which He says now, you’ve gone past the mark.

Hosea 4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

After a long period of two centuries in Pergamos, finally He says, “I’ve given her time to repent but she didn’t, now she’s just Jezebel.” What did we study in our Sabbath School Lesson? When we were concerned about the 144,000 and there’s so many Adventists today that are still not understanding, still not really keeping the Sabbath properly, as we see these things today, the angels had been holding the winds of strife a long time since Sister White’s days.

But with God one day is a thousand years, so although the Adventist church has gone to war in the first world war and has broken its position, there are fellow Seventh Day Adventists in the church of today, that we are to have an attitude towards and towards each other, this is the attitude of Jesus. Attitude of patiently waiting as the beautiful message of call to change, the call of the word of God to touch the heart, the love of Jesus to warm the heart so that it will want to change and will be prepared to obey with exactitude. We are worshipping God here to copy Him in our attitude. 

To the people who make a profession of following Jesus, I do pray that from the subject of Pergamos, we can see something pertaining to ourselves and something pertaining to the Jesus whom we worship. 

May God continue to illuminate us as we learn the pictures that are painted here in the seven churches.

Amen. 

As we conclude our study of Pergamos, let the insights from Pergamos guide us in our own faith journey, helping us to overcome challenges and grow spiritually.