Seven Churches of Revelation (2) - Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis

This article goes on to introduce the remaining seven churches, this time three churches - Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis

Pergamum

Pergamum was the center of Asiatic kings and pagan worship. It was also an important center of commerce, education, politics and religion in Asia, with many statues and temple ruins. Pergamum literally means "exalted", and it can be seen that in the world, the city is indeed exalted, prosperous and rich, but spiritually degenerate. There's a passage in the scriptures that says, "I know your dwelling place, where Satan's seat is."

I know that your dwelling place is the seat of Satan. When Antipas, my faithful witness, was slain among you, where Satan dwells, you kept my name and did not forsake my word (Revelation 2:13).

Even in the city of Satan, there are still some people who still stick to the Lord's name and die unhappy, which is praised by the Lord Jesus.

However, I rebuke you for a few things, because there are people with you who have obeyed the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to put stumbling blocks before the children of Israel and make them eat things sacrificed to idols and commit adulterers thing. There are also people in you who have obeyed the teachings of the Nicolaitans. So you must repent! If they do not repent, I will come to you soon and strike them with the sword of my mouth (Revelation 2:14-16).

In the face of Satan's power and temptation, some people hold fast to the name of the Lord, and even martyrdom for the Lord, so they are praised by the Lord Jesus. Others choose to compromise with the world. Balaam is a biblical character who outwardly obeys God's commands, but inwardly wants to disobey God's commands. He later taught the king of Moab to lure the Israelites into fornication with Moabite women and to eat sacrifices to false gods. Balaam was also a lover of money. He wanted to make money through religion, for personal gain.

Therefore repent; if you do not repent, I will come to you soon, and strike them with the sword of my mouth

Compromise with reality and leave room for Satan, while agreeing with the value of participating in the world, but seeing Christ as spiritual comfort in times of trouble? Is this also a picture of today's Christians? If you also feel that you have the above problems, you may need to pray and repent.

Thyatira

"Thyatira" literally means "burning incense", and it is believed that there is a meaning behind "sacrifice for the gods". It is now called Akhisar (meaning: "White Castle") and is located in western Turkey.

"I know your works, your love, your faith, your hard work, your patience, and the good works you will do in the last days are more than your first."

The Lord Jesus praised this church in his letters. Her behavior, love, faith, hard work, patience, and good deeds are worthy of our learning. These are also various channels for "sacrifice for God".

But I rebuke you for one thing, that you allowed Jezebel , a woman who claimed to be a prophet, to teach my servants, and seduce them to commit adultery and eat things sacrificed to idols. ²¹ I gave her a chance to repent, but she would not repent of her fornication. ²² Behold! I'm going to put her in bed. If those who commit adultery with her do not repent of their deeds, I will also cause them to suffer with great tribulation.

Jezebel was a powerful and domineering woman. After reading some materials, she felt that she was the Israeli version of the Empress Dowager Cixi, who played Israel's King Ahab in the palm of her hand, and also dominated the government. Even the well-known prophet in the Old Testament could call the wind and rain by faith, and even send fire from heaven. Elijah, who "walked with God", was terrified of Jezebel. Jezebel's evil deeds are as follows:

• Seduced King Ahab to serve Baal
• kill the prophets of the LORD, and kill the prophet Elijah
• Kill Naboth

Compromise with lust and worldliness, and allow untruthful teachings to run rampant, and the Church of Thyatira was rebuked by the Lord Jesus.

"As for the rest of you in Thyatira, all who do not follow that teaching, and who do not know the deep truths of Satan that they used to say, I tell you, I will not place other burdens on you. But you have Yes, always hold on until I come."

The Lord Jesus commanded them to hold on to the deeds, love, faith, and all that they had, until He came again.