Day 3: The Church in Pergamum

The city of Pergamum was a strange place. It was the capital city of Asia Minor, but it was a very dark and creepy place. It had three temples to the Roman Emperor and many other temples to false gods! Satan had a strong presence here and it was seen in the temple worship. This is the environment that the church had to endure. 

GOOD WORK: Stand

The church in Pergamum was commended for their stand against the evil in their city. One man named Anitpas was put to death because of how he opposed the evil in Pergamum. You may not have ever faced death because of what you believe, but that does happen all over the world. Even today, Christians are facing persecution and death for taking a stand for Christ. 

Question for Reflection: Have you ever had to take a stand for Christ, knowing you would face opposition? What did you learn from that experience? 

GET RIGHT: Compromise

In the city of Pergamum, you were considered weird if you weren’t living an immoral life. A lifestyle of sin was so common that the church began to compromise. Although they took a stand against the Satanic practices, they refused to take a stand against immoral living. They compromised their character, and Jesus called them out for it. 

Question for Reflection: In what areas of your life have you compromised and become like the culture instead of taking a stand for Christ? 

GET READY: Identity

Jesus says that if they endure the temptations ahead, they will be given a new identity! In the culture of the day, a white stone represented a new identity. You could win one in competition, and it would be like a ticket to any social gathering you wanted. In the same way, when we truly surrender to Jesus, we are given a new identity! Who we are is no longer based on what we do, but what Jesus has already done! Take comfort in that truth today.