The letter to the church at Pergamum sets the stage for our
next concept. These Christians did not deny Jesus’ name during persecution
(their personal cross), so their enemy came in subtler ways. He “sweetened the
pot”, so to speak, making compromise and infiltration of false teachings look
better than the pure word of God.
Jesus’ description of coming as a “double-edged sword” (Rev 2:12) sets the precedence for dealing with words. He is separating the truth from falsehood, and true ministers from false.
The first false teaching Jesus deals with are those of Balaam. Peter tells us that Balaam “loved the wages of wickedness” (2 Pet 2:15). Those who can gain through compromise will look for sweet deals, if they are not fully sold-out to Jesus.
The second false teaching that Jesus deals with are the Nicolaitans’, who taught people to compromise with the unbelievers around them, even to the point of immorality. They believed that their spiritual liberty allowed fellowship with unbelievers and uncensored (by the Holy Spirit) behavior. Those who can experience the old “sweets” of the flesh and sin will follow this line of teaching, if they do not follow Jesus whole-heartedly.
Men have always tried to find a way around personally bearing a cross in their own lives. Few would follow Christ if they knew that His image in them would bring them to the cross before they sat on His throne. The 6th concept is this; that in a believer’s life, the cross comes before the throne. Jesus’ own followers fully expected Jesus to set up a kingdom on this earth in which He would rule with them (Lk 19:11). They could not have foreseen the crucifixion. So it is with us, that we fully expect in this life to rule and reign with Christ, not fully grasping that we will have a personal cross to bear first.
The more we grow in Christ’s likeness, the more able we are to bear our cross. Our crosses lead us towards overcoming, and a seat next to Jesus on His throne, in this life. It is here where we rule and reign with Christ. The false teachings lead us to false gain and a life of empty fulfillment of the desires of the flesh.
Remember, Jesus divided the words that the church at Pergamum was teaching with His sword. Therefore, for the overcomer, His reward is pure teachings, (hidden manna), personal purity (white stone) and a new name (often the mark of promotion given to a victor). Truly the marred image of Christ will become our inner riches as we grow more like Him, and our crosses will give way to our seat on His throne. Amen. What a glory to look forward to. Amen.
Jesus’ description of coming as a “double-edged sword” (Rev 2:12) sets the precedence for dealing with words. He is separating the truth from falsehood, and true ministers from false.
The first false teaching Jesus deals with are those of Balaam. Peter tells us that Balaam “loved the wages of wickedness” (2 Pet 2:15). Those who can gain through compromise will look for sweet deals, if they are not fully sold-out to Jesus.
The second false teaching that Jesus deals with are the Nicolaitans’, who taught people to compromise with the unbelievers around them, even to the point of immorality. They believed that their spiritual liberty allowed fellowship with unbelievers and uncensored (by the Holy Spirit) behavior. Those who can experience the old “sweets” of the flesh and sin will follow this line of teaching, if they do not follow Jesus whole-heartedly.
Men have always tried to find a way around personally bearing a cross in their own lives. Few would follow Christ if they knew that His image in them would bring them to the cross before they sat on His throne. The 6th concept is this; that in a believer’s life, the cross comes before the throne. Jesus’ own followers fully expected Jesus to set up a kingdom on this earth in which He would rule with them (Lk 19:11). They could not have foreseen the crucifixion. So it is with us, that we fully expect in this life to rule and reign with Christ, not fully grasping that we will have a personal cross to bear first.
The more we grow in Christ’s likeness, the more able we are to bear our cross. Our crosses lead us towards overcoming, and a seat next to Jesus on His throne, in this life. It is here where we rule and reign with Christ. The false teachings lead us to false gain and a life of empty fulfillment of the desires of the flesh.
Remember, Jesus divided the words that the church at Pergamum was teaching with His sword. Therefore, for the overcomer, His reward is pure teachings, (hidden manna), personal purity (white stone) and a new name (often the mark of promotion given to a victor). Truly the marred image of Christ will become our inner riches as we grow more like Him, and our crosses will give way to our seat on His throne. Amen. What a glory to look forward to. Amen.
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