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Sunday, August 29, 2010

The Church at Pergamos

(Revelation 2:12-17) "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 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.  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."  Pergamum, or Pergamos, was located about 30 miles north of Smyrna; some 15 miles in from the sea on a high mountain over the Caicus River.  It was the great city of Mysia, noted for its wealth and fashion.  Like Ephesus and Smyrna, it too was a headquarters for emperor worship.  It was the chief city of the province, and here was located the "concilia" which had in charge the matters of state religion and incense offering before the image of the emperor."  The city had always been loyal to Rome, so it was natural they would be unrelenting toward their persecution of Christians.  The city was also known for its many temples such as Athena and Zeus.  It was also the worship center of Asclopius, god of healing (emblem--serpent).

Jesus refers to the city of Pergamos as "where Satan dwells", likely referring to the stronghold of pagan worship and the seat of political Roman power for the entire region.  Jesus commended Pergamos for holding fast to their faith in spite of being surrounded by pagan Roman influences. During this time Constantine, the Roman emperor reigned and he was known for wedding both church and state together.  The origins of the Roman Catholic church can be traced to Constantine's combining the church and state. 

Jesus reprimands the church for those who held to the teaching of Balaam.  What was the teaching of Balaam?  The story of Balaam is found in Numbers chapters 22-31.  Balaam was hired by Balak to curse Israel.  Balaam tried to curse Israel for money.  Every time that he tried to curse Israel, he ended up blessing them.  Instead of cursing them, he came up with a plan.  He said, let the woman of Balak's kingdom display themselves before the eyes of god's people.  The Jewish men went after the foreign women, commited fornication with them, married them, and Israel was drawn into idolatry.  The Jews were supposed to keep themselves separate from other nations, but they disobeyed God's commandment.  There had been some in the church of Pergamos who had been introducing various aspects of other faiths and pagan practices.  They mixed pagan and Christian doctrine and practices together.  God labels that as fornication and adultery.  God also reprimanded the church for some who were holding to the teachings of the Nicolaitanes.  It's interesting even though there were some in that church that were holding to the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes,  God rebuked the whole church because whenever a church accepts a doctrine that God hates; it's in great danger with a Holy God.  The Apostle Paul labels sin as "leaven" which can destroy the whole church. (I Corinthians 5:6).

Constantine was the reigning Roman emperor during this time frame.  He had to fight his rivals for the sole right to the throne.  Prior to this and even during Constantine's reign, it was Roman policy to persecute and kill Christians.  History speaks of Constantine having a vision one night before a battle, of a cross in the sky and hearing a voice saying, "In this sign conquer."  He took this as a sign from God that he would be able to conquer his enemies and win the throne.  History tells us that Constantine converted from paganism to Christianity.  He issued an edict of toleration for the church ending the 200+ years of persecution and he bestowed many favors upon the church and its members, placing many into positions of political authority, providing money to sustain the needs of the church.  Many pagan temples were taken over by Christians for church building.  To please the emperor, many church leaders accepted and adopted customs from the pagan practices and pagan temples. 

The chruch over these next 300 years dressed itself in ritualism, mystery, clergy, vestments, worship of saints and angels, the introduction of the mass, making the sign of the cross, prayers for the dead, services in Latin, prayers to Mary, and the list continues.  Many of these practices are what the Roman Catholic church practice.  Constantine finally declared Christianity to be the official state religion, strongly encouraging all citizens to convert to it.  Consequently, it was a Christianity that wasn't  rooted in the Bible.  It was a Christianity where paganism was mixed with Christian symbols.  As a result, there was paganism in the church.  The purity of the church was destroyed when paganism was mixed in with it.  The church became married to Roman authority, state acceptance, no persecution, a place of power, prominence and money.  however, God was opposed to it. 

In this very hour in our churches today, you find all kinds of rituals that are added to the church that's pagan.  We've added all kinds of eastern traditions which aren't in the Bible.  That's why the church is in the sad shape she's in this hour.  God's people have commited spiritual adultery by allowing other gods to creep into their lives.  God's people have allowed things that God hates into the church.  We use all kinds of "user friendly" tactics to draw people into the church.  We've allowed rock music, dancing, puppet shows, and all kinds of entertainment as a substitute for the preaching of the Word of God.  Nothing takes the place of old time worship.  Nothing takes the places of preaching, praying, and singing.  That's why there are so many religious people within the walls of the church that have never been born again.  We've entertained them with the things of the world as a result, there's no regeneration.  We can't use the methods of the world to reach and convert the sinner.  Sinners only will be converted through God's way and no other.

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