What Church Are You? Pergamum?

REVELATION 2:12-17

Revelation 2:13,14,16

You did not renounce your faith in me...Nevertheless, I have a few things against you...Repent therefore! Otherwise I will soon come to you...


When I read this passage I found humor in what God said. In verse 13 He said I know where you live-where Satan has his throne. Then further down in that verse God speaks of Antipas who was His faithful servant, but was put to death in that city-where Satan lives.

There must have been some really sinful people in Pergamum for God to deem it as Satan's residence. On down in the passage God mentions some of the sins of Pergamum. They held to the teachings of Balaam, who taught that it was ok to eat food sacrificed to idols and that sexual immorality was acceptable. They even followed the Nicolations' teachings.

Although the church in Pergamum did not renounce their faith in God, they still allowed this sin to continue. It was their responsibility to uphold God's Word and the laws that governed. Instead they continued in their own relationship with God and ignored their surroundings.

God's threats are not idle. He follows through. When he threatened to come down and fight them himself I am sure it shook the church.

It wasn't the whole church of Pergamum that was in disobedience; only some. But it doesn't take but a little sin to taint something sacred. The church is supposed to be pure and sacred. Bringing false teachings into it defiles God's holy temple.

A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough (Galatians 5:9).

God didn't address the letter to the false teachers. No, He reprimanded those who remained faithful in their service to God because they were allowing such sin to take place. I assume they just turned their head away as if it wasn't happening.

God told them to repent, otherwise He was going to come down and do their job and reprimand the false teachers himself. God won't stand for such sin in His temple. Nor will He in the temple that He resides-US! We must have a pure heart before God.

Now look closely. God did not reprimand the church of Pergamum for not reprimanding unbelievers. It was inside the church-those who professed to know Him. This is what God has to say about how we should deal with believers who are following or leading false teachings and sinning:

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

If there is sin in the camp, in God's temple, we can no longer turn away as if it isn't happening. God will not stand for it. And if He has to come down to deal with it Himself, He won't neglect reprimanding us while He is here.

We do not know the day or hour when Jesus will return (Matthew 24:36). We must be prepared. He is coming back for a spotless bride. There can't be sin defiling His temple, whether it be our church or ourselves.

I encourage you to do a spiritual walk through the temple. If there be anything defiling it get rid of it. God Bless~