Sermon: Repentance from Compromises
Bible Passage: Rev 2:12-17
Some useful background information
Verse 12: Jesus introduces Himself as “the one who has the sharp, double-edged sword”
1. The Roman governor of Asia had the authority to give death sentence
2. This authority was called “the right of the sword,” in Latin it was called ius gladii
3. Jesus introduces Himself as “the one who has the sharp, double-edged sword” to assert that He holds higher authority than the governor of Pergamum (verse 12)
4. Therefore, more than they fear their governor, they need to fear Jesus Christ
5. In other words, true power is with Jesus Christ, not necessarily with the representatives of Roman Empire
Verse 13: “I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is”
1. The expression “Satan’s throne” needs to be understood from the cluster of worship centers in Pergamum
2. Pergamum had four patron deities: Zeus, Athena, Dionysius, and Asclepius
3. Pergamum proudly facilitated the worship of Asclepius, serpent god (Rev 12:9, 20:2, “snake motif”), which promised healing
4. About 19 BC Augustus cult was introduced in Pergamum; in early second century AD temples were built for Domitian, Trajan, and Hadrian
5. It was a daily challenge to live as Christians in Pergamum (conflicts were norms than exception)
6. Those who did not bow before the gods of Pergamum were easily identified and pulled over to the officials (an unnoticed Christian probably is a compromised Christian!)
7. Satan’s throne and his dwelling posed daily challenges to Christians
Verse 13 b: “Yet you continue to cling to my name, and you have not denied your faith in me”
1. Jesus appreciates majority of His followers in Pergamum
2. There is a contrast “yet”/“but”
3. The contrast is between the presence of the throne of Satan and followers of Jesus living strong—this points to the ongoing battle between Satan and followers of Jesus
Verse 13c: “even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed in your city where Satan lives”
1. Antipas was martyred for his faith—tradition says that Antipas was roasted alive for his faith
2. Despite seeing what happened to Antipas, Jesus followers stood firm in their faith
3. Jesus appreciates them (it was not an easy Christianity!)
4. Jesus calls Antipas “my faithful witness/martyr”
Verse 14: “ But I have a few things against you”—“you” here is plural, i.e., the Church at Pergamum!
1. Jesus is not looking at individual Christians and saying, “I’m happy with the 90% who are doing well; it’s alright with the 10% who have compromised”
2. But He is saying, “90% health does not take care of the 10% weakness; the 10% weakness makes 90% weak as well”
Verse 15: “there are some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans”
1. The expression “Nicolaitans” probably came from the name “Nicolaus”
2. Nicolaus was most likely from Antioch, commonly called one of the six of Acts 6:5 “… Nicolas, a Gentile convert to Judaism from Antioch”
a. Irenaeus says that Nicolaitans lived lives of unrestrained indulgence” (Against Heresies, 1.26.3)
b. Hippolytus says that he was one of the seven and that “he departed from correct doctrine and was in the habit of inculcating indifference of food and life” (Refutation of Heresies, 7:24).
c. Clement of Alexandria says that Nicolaitans “abandon themselves to pleasure like goats … leading a life of self-indulgence”
d. Nicolaitans led a loose life
3. The letter to Pergamum tells us that they seduced people into eating meat offered to idols and into immorality (Rev 2:14b)
4. Nicolaitans misunderstood Christian liberty and compromised with the world
5. They practiced emperor worship to escape persecution
6. Nicolaitans taught followers of Jesus that it was alright to conform to the standards of the world
7. They compromised purely to save themselves from persecution
Verse 16: Repent
1. They must repent from their compromised lifestyle
2. They must not tolerate flexibility for the sake of their comfort
3. They must not continue to indulge in lifestyles inappropriate for Jesus followers
4. They must make changes with regard to the sins (180 degree turn around!)
Verse 16b: If not, I will come against you quickly and make war against those people with the sword of my mouth
1. Jesus gives a stern warning
2. Failure to comply with Jesus’ warning will result in Jesus’ intervention
3. Double-edged sword appears to refer to supernatural correction of life and punishment
Verse 17: To the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone—the result of their repentance
1. Rewards for obeying Jesus’ stern warning
2. Manna: the enjoyment of the blessings of heaven
3. White stone: a medal of honor
Principles
1. Jesus wants His followers conform to His standards
a. Father pleasing standard
b. Living in this world but living not of the world
2. Believers’ commitment to Jesus is measured in their resolve to live appropriately for Jesus followers
3. Jesus followers must renounce Balaam and Nicolaitans
a. Balaam set a trap for men of Israel to do adultery with women of Moab (Num 25:1-3)
b. Nicolaitans abused Christian liberty to indulge in sexual immorality (hedonistic behaviors)
4. Believers of Jesus play missional role in a non-believing world
a. The forces opposed to Jesus are in constant battle with believers
b. Jesus is pleased when His followers live for Him and turn their back on the seats of Satan
c. Jesus is pleased when they live as His witnesses (when they get noticed as Jesus followers)
Take Away:
Repent from your compromises