Pergamos: THE COMPROMISING CHURCH

TEXT: Revelation 2:12-17

INTRODUCTION

NOTHING will poison the body of Christ like the poison of Compromise.  And the Church cannot say it has not been warned.

Let Us Look At:

THE DESTINATION OF THE LETTER: PERGAMOS

THE DESIGNATION OF THE LORD

THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE CHURCH

THE DEMAND OF THE CHURCH

DDCOG POINT # 1

THE DESTINATION OF THE LETTER: PERGAMOS

Rev. 2:12

Pergamum was one of the leading cities in Asia—along with Ephesus and Smyrna—the cities rivaled each other in what they had accomplished.

DDCOG POINT # 2

THE DESIGNATION OF THE LORD (2:12)

1) The Steadfast Savior Speaks (2:12)

As has been the pattern, Jesus gives his commission to the elder or messenger of the church.

Hebrew 4:12, Ephesians 17:6

a) The Word of God is Sharp

The first edge cuts away sin and falsehood.

The second edge cuts a path to redemption.

Jer. 1:5, Jer. 20:9

DDCOG POINT # 3

THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE CHURCH (2:13)

 1) Christ’s Commendation

            To the Church in Ephesus Jesus declares I know your works.

a) Symbolism of the Seat of Satan

2) He Knows Their Situation 

The All-Knowing God First and foremost, we must recognize that God knows and sees all things.

Omniscient and omnipresent

3) He Knows Their Sacrifices 

4) He Knew the Compromise of Their Faith (2:14,15)

Compromise is the act of finding a middle ground between two different ideas or positions.

a) The Doctrine of Balaam

God told Balaam not to curse the Israelites, but to say the words of blessings that God gave him.

b) The Doctrine of the Nicolatians

The Nicolaitans—people who distorted the work of Jesus and the meaning of grace—telling the people that everything was permissible because the sacrifice of Jesus covered all.

Romans 12:2; 2 Cor. 6:17

DDCOG POINT # 4

THE DEMAND OF THE CHURCH (Rev. 2:16)

1) Exhortation – Repent

            Confronting the Compromise Thank God, Jesus doesn't just point out the problem, He prescribes a powerful prescription: "Repent!" It's a call to action, a chance to course-correct.

2) The Call To Repentance (v. 17)

Christ’s message ends in a series of wonderful promises to those who overcome by faith:

3) The Promise of Reward

Hidden Manna, The White Stone,  A New Name

2 Cor. 5:17