2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 2:13 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, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 2:14 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. 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 2:17 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]. Pergamos ws inland and 60 miles N of Smyrna, It was the capital of Asia until it was changed to Ephesus. It contained a 20, 000 volume library second only to Alexandria this is the where the word parchment derives from .Among all the Roman Gods Aescalapius was honored[scalpel] with the sign of the snake. On top of the cities Acropolis stood the Temple of Athena and the great altar to Zeus. This was considered to be the "seat of Satan" The doctrine of Balam was encouraged which was for the Israelites to marry pagan wives. This is where the mixing of paganism and true Christian worship was mixed and has not been the same since. The Saviour comes with a sharp sword to split the two in half , and even today the mixing of the two still takes place, with teachings of new age worship and that the bible is not authoritative or that Jesus is not the only way. Pergamos was at the center of the province of Asia and where the state religion was promoted , the worship of emperors. The people compromised the gospel, how often do we hear today"Sure we are Christians but everyone else does it , do use want us to look silly or loose friends?" Where one sin [the sin of Balam ] is allowed to creep in , a second one soon follows[Nicolaitanism] Since Satan could not drive the church out of the world , he drove the world into the church. Today churches accept sin as a lifestyle and do not preach the word of God anymore. They want to teach people to feel good without being good. They approve of abortions and the homosexual lifestyle. But most of all they remain silent and do nothing while the morals of society vanish into oblivion. This was the ailment of the church in A.D.313-590] The bible states that we in the world , but not to partake of its sins. How much of the world is allowed in your church? Is sin still called sin? Don't try to explain the sin , show them how to get rid of it, by the blood of the lamb. The church is not a place to get motivated or to eat "cotton Candy or play with fuzzy ducks" It is a place for the sick in spirit to go get healed and for sin to be pointed out and gotten rid of like roaches. If you want the roaches gone you don't feed their habits, you get rid of the food source. how many Christians go to "happy hour on a Saturday night"and then show up at church on Sunday? I used to be one till the Holy Spirit stopped me in my tracks and turned me around. I now preach with boldness and conviction! Church is not a club. |