Title [Rev 2:12-17] Church of Pergamum
The Church of Pergamum was a church in which there were faithful believers who did not hesitate to martyrdom, and at the same time, a group of Nicolaitans (Balaam) who fell into idolatry and corruption were mixed. This bipolar phenomenon is a characteristic found in most churches. You can see that the Lord, who has a two-edged sword, is warning you as the Judge of the Pergamum church.
1. The Loyal Servant Antipas
The Lord praised him, saying, “You did not forsake your faith in me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was put to death among you, where Satan dwells. His identity is unknown, but the Lord recognized him and praised him for his great faith, so it can be said that he had a very rewarding life.
① I lived as a faithful witness of the Lord. Let us also become faithful witnesses of the Lord, that is, witnesses of the gospel.
② He kept his faith even in the face of death. Paul also confessed that he had finished the race and kept the faith. There are many great men in the Bible who kept their faith even in the face of death. This is the faith of Daniel and his three friends. Let us become true Christians who keep the faith even in the face of death like Antipas.
2. Followers of the precepts of Balaam (Nicoladians)
Balaam was seduced by Balak to curse Israel from the front, but from behind he led him into idolatry and sexual corruption, resulting in the death of tens of thousands of Israelites. Satan, who harms the church, invades even today in a similar way (Numbers 22:25, 31:8,16). It can be seen that the early church also suffered many difficulties due to this tactic of Satan (2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11). Even in the modern church, idolatry and sexual depravity are Satan's tools to destroy the church and we need to be vigilant. The Lord has declared that he will fight them with the sword of his mouth. It is the black word of the mouth. Jesus, who defeated Satan with the written word (Matthew 4), continues to fight against Satan with the word. We must be armed with the Word to resist all temptations of Satan. In particular, let's become believers who boldly defeat us, not forgetting that we are only tools and that the Lord Himself fights.
3. Repentance and Victory
God gives even those who have sinned an opportunity to repent. It shows that it is a God of love who urges repentance toward those who have fallen into Satan's temptation. We should not be discouraged even if we have sinned by falling into temptation. Let us repent promptly so that we may be forgiven and receive grace. Great blessings are given to those who win.
① He gives you the hidden manna. Manna is the food that the Israelites were supplied with while they were living in the wilderness. Now, it means that we will receive the spiritual manna through Jesus, who is the bread of life (John 6:35). The winner will enjoy spiritual wealth.
② He will give you a white stone with a new name written on it. In Greece, there are cases in which the name of the winner of a competition is engraved and given as a reward. The meaning of giving a white stone with a new name on it refers to a reward given to the victor of faith in heaven. We are constantly fighting the spiritual battle while looking at the reward. Let's all run to heaven with no one left behind.
③ It is said that only the one who receives it knows its name. The names of the winners, those who will be saved, are kept strictly secret. Only the Lord and you will know. We must be careful never to judge others lightly. In particular, you should know that the truth of Christianity often belongs to the mystery. Only those who have experienced it can know and testify. May we become faithful Witnesses like Antipas.