Series: 7 Notes From Jesus Pt3
Title: 7 Notes From Jesus: Pergamum
Text: Revelation 2:12-17
Date: March 23, 2025

Revelation 2:12-17 (ESV): 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.

Heart Check:
How do you approach His Word?

Two main streams of false teaching:
1. The sacrificing and worship of false gods.

2. The approval and celebration of sexual promiscuity.


“Balaam…was believed to have led Israel to eat meat offered to idols and [engage in sexual fornication] with pagans whom they were not married to. Other nations could not destroy Israel, but Balaam knew that if he could subvert their morals, God would withdraw His blessing and Judge them…‘Sexual immorality’…[could also be referring] to spiritual infidelity against God.” —Craig Keener (The IVP Bible Background Commentary)

The Truth:
“Every person who draws breath, will worship something or someone.”

For a good study on Israel’s fall from the grace of God, read through the Book of Judges:
“11 And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals. 12 And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the Lord to anger. 13 They abandoned the Lord and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth.”

KILLING FALSEHOOD AND CULTURAL ASSIMILATION

Confess and Repent

Prioritize Rigorous Bible Study and Apprenticeship

Jepthah’s rash vow,
“If you will give me the Ammonites into my hand, then whatever comes out the doors to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the LORD’s and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” —Judges 11:31-32

His way out…

“4 or if anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realizes his guilt in any of these; 5 when he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed, 6 he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin…”
—Leviticus 5:4-6

Heart Check:
What altars have you sacrificed at lately?

4 Easy Steps to Engage in Rigorous Study

Time. Place. Plan.

Study in Community.

Be Slow and Ruminate.

Questions to ask yourself and community while studying:

What does this reveal about Creator God?
What does this reveal about humanity?
How does this point to Jesus?
What should be my/our response?

Seek The Holy Spirit Every Day.

Before studying, pray: “Holy Spirit, open my eyes to understand Your Truth.”
After studying, pray: “Help me not just know, but obey Your Word.”

3 Times a day
Solitude,
Silence,
Prayer

Resources -
*You Are What You Love by James K. A. Smith
*The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen
*The Common Rule & Rules of the Household by Justin Whittle Earley


Bottom line: If we don’t know our Story, we will absorb our culture’s.