Podcasts about pergamum

Jesus issues a sharp rebuke to the church in Pergamum and commands them to either repent or He will come and fight them. In this study, we examine Revelation 2:16–17, Jesus' solution to Pergamum's problem and His warning if they do not respond.------------» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficulty” PDF by going to: https://ellerslie.com/subscribe/» For more information about Daily Thunder and the ministry of Ellerslie Mission Society, please visit: https://ellerslie.com/daily» If you have been blessed by Ellerslie, consider partnering with the ministry by donating at: https://ellerslie.com/donate/» Discover more Christ-centered teaching and resources from Nathan Johnson that will help you grow spiritually by checking out his website at: https://deeperchristian.com/

While Jesus encourages the church in Pergamum for their faith and holding fast to Him, He gives a sharp rebuke regarding their compromise specifically in the areas of idolatry and sexual immorality. In this study, Nathan dives into Revelation 2:13–15, the doctrine of Balaam, and how we as Christians are called to be different than the world.------------» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficulty” PDF by going to: https://ellerslie.com/subscribe/» For more information about Daily Thunder and the ministry of Ellerslie Mission Society, please visit: https://ellerslie.com/daily» If you have been blessed by Ellerslie, consider partnering with the ministry by donating at: https://ellerslie.com/donate/» Discover more Christ-centered teaching and resources from Nathan Johnson that will help you grow spiritually by checking out his website at: https://deeperchristian.com/

Jesus introduces Himself to the Church in Pergamum as the One who has a sharp two-edged sword—in so doing, He prepares them for the sharp rebuke He is about to give. In this study, Nathan examines Revelation 2:12, talks about the setting and culture of Pergamum, and why that is so significant as Jesus introduces Himself to this church in modern day Turkey.------------» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficulty” PDF by going to: https://ellerslie.com/subscribe/» For more information about Daily Thunder and the ministry of Ellerslie Mission Society, please visit: https://ellerslie.com/daily» If you have been blessed by Ellerslie, consider partnering with the ministry by donating at: https://ellerslie.com/donate/» Discover more Christ-centered teaching and resources from Nathan Johnson that will help you grow spiritually by checking out his website at: https://deeperchristian.com/

Armored Against Demon Invasion (audio) David Eells – 7/15/26 Bundle of Serpents Attacks  John David Feagin - 10/31/2011 (David's notes in red) In the brief dream I had, there was a bundle, like the old-fashioned bundle of wheat that was being passed down from two others in line to me, only this bundle was a bundle of serpents. I could tell that they were very venomous serpents, like sea snakes, cobras, mambas, or coral snakes. They tried to bite my arm and, naturally, I did not like this. I did remember that we are immune to the bites of serpents if we are covered in the Blood of Jesus, so this is where I put my trust. I was no longer so concerned and set them aside. At the time I awoke, this was puzzling to me, but now, after some thought, I believe I understand it more fully. The snakes involved have neurotoxins, which attack the brain, that is, our thoughts. We are strictly warned to take captive our every thought (that is, against the knowledge of God's Word) and this now means much more to me than it ever has before. I am certainly no expert with such things or spiritual warfare, but I do know that demons associated with pornography, bitterness, criticism, faction, etc., are very powerful and deadly. I also know that demons can be transferred by men, and inadvertently opening doors, even with the best of intentions, can invite personal attack. I personally believe this was a warning to be very careful, but it may also be a general warning to others as well, and may be applied to all sorts of demonic or thought influence. If the enemy can truly read our thoughts and insert them, as has been shown in a previous UBM study, then this is particularly devious. It is difficult to reject such thoughts if you think they are your own.  Then, this morning, as a sort of confirmation, I saw the UBM update about the bug detector and casting such thoughts to hell immediately in the name of Jesus. I also noticed that when I was praying, in the Word, and seeking wisdom in such matters, my thoughts were clear, but when my guard was down, my own thoughts and emotions in the matter, no matter how well-intended, were somewhat intoxicating. So, forewarned is forearmed. God bless always in His service.  Be careful of slander and criticism for the purpose of making disciples. It comes only from demons, and those they can use, and it comes for only one reason -- to impart demons and poison minds against someone the devil hates. Demons impersonating aliens to turn the world to the mark of the beast to destroy Christianity. The Word for “heresies” or “parties” in Galatians 5:20 means “a self-willed opinion leading to division”. The word for factions among these works of the flesh means separating followers through selfish ambition. Demons impersonate righteous indignation but are actually criticism or new revelation. {Jas.3:14} But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. {15} This wisdom is not [a wisdom] that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. {16} For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.   Bluffing Demons & Spiritual Authority  Sandy Shaw 11/09/2011 (David's notes in red) The way this dream starts is that I'm walking into this room, and I'm watching a group of men (some I know, some I don't know) who are turning around and leaving the room. I ask the ladies there, “Where are the men going?” (These men are the chosen.)  The women who are there tell me not to worry because they need to go -- they have to go. The Lord wants them to go. When this happens, I feel like all the women are in unity that the men needed to go. (The spiritual catching up to the throne anointing of those who will return as the Man-child reformer ministry.) I then grab Tina's hand and ask, “Don't you feel the winds of change?” She answers, “What?” Then I say, “The change. The winds of change. Don't you feel the winds of change?” (From this point on, everything will change both positively for those who love God and are called according to His purpose and negatively for the wicked; a separation of the wheat from the tares. Tina ended up going factious, the opposite of Sandy.)  Then I go from there to an ancient-looking town square or plaza. People are walking all around. There are archways all around the square leading into different hallways, buildings, or rooms. It looks and feels like it's an ancient city. (Archways were made famous by the ancient Romans, who were the first to apply the technique to a wide range of structures. We are seeing a revival of the iron and clay of Daniel's end-time vision of the 10 toes of the world beast kingdom. There is no dispute that the iron is the seed of the Roman Empire.) As I'm walking slowly through this square, I'm praying. I'm praying continuously because I can feel the presence of evil so strongly there. (Great darkness is about to descend as the principality of the old Roman Empire prepares to take charge and make the covenant with many, as spoken of in Daniel 9:26,27.) As I'm looking at some of the people, they look human, but for a brief moment, I can see certain demons that are controlling them. (As we watch this progressive revelation, the people who belong to the body of the beast become less and less human and more and more demon, just as those who belong to the body of Christ become less and less human and more and more sons of God. Those from among the people of God who do not forsake their evil will go with the wicked. {Rev.22:11} He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still. In the days before the coming of the Lord, at the end of the tribulation, Jesus will come in and then with His saints. {2Th.1:7} and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, {8} rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: {9} who shall suffer punishment, [even] eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, {10} when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.) As I'm praying, some man grabs my arm and pulls me into one of the hallways. As he is pulling me into the hallway, I hear someone in the square saying, “We gotta find her. We gotta find her. We have to stop her. Her prayers are reaching the throne of Heaven!” (These voices are the demons speaking through men). (Our prayers do reach the throne when sent by faith, and the demons' plans are thwarted. {Psa.10:17} Jehovah, thou hast heard the desire of the meek: Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. {Rom.10:13} for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. {Jer.33:3} Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and will show thee great things, and difficult, which thou knowest not.) So the man pulls me into this room, and there are mostly men and a few women there. This room is full of uniforms of all different kinds. The people are trying to figure out which uniform to put on. Some of the uniforms are military. As they are excited about finding the right uniform to wear, they are trying them on. I know in the dream that these people are Christians. (The “Christians” will be worried about how to appear to the world in this dangerous time and what lifestyle to put on besides Christ's. A military uniform indicates a militant lifestyle in dealing with this beast system, which will be disastrous since “they who take the sword will die by the sword”. We must put on the uniform of the new man, who is in the image of Jesus and His actions, according to the knowledge of the Word. {Col.3:9} lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, {10} and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him.)  I tell them that they have it wrong and that the full armor that they need to put on is the full armor of God, not one of these physical uniforms made by man. The people just look at me, not receiving anything I'm saying (as apostate patriotic Christians). A man asks me to sit down and take a look at this uniform. Then this man puts on some kind of uniform with a jacket. The jacket and uniform cover his legs, feet, and everything. There is a hood to the jacket that covers his whole head with a face-covering mask. The material of the jacket is a material I've never felt before. They then pour chemicals over it, resulting in no damage. Then they turn a blowtorch on it, and the torch doesn't burn or damage it. (As a volunteer fireman for Exxon, they gave us shirts that had metal woven into them to reflect heat.  Our government is allying with alien impersonating demons like the galactic federation or alliance in hopes of profiting from their “higher technology.” But these hate Christians and will help to bring about the mark of the beast to be rid of them.) They are really excited about the uniform/jacket and are picking it to be the one they will use. (There is no safety outside of God's will. He sent the curse, and no man can defend from it. {Jer.17:5} Thus saith Jehovah: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Jehovah. ... {7} Blessed is the man that trusteth in Jehovah, and whose trust Jehovah is. {8} For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreadeth out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat cometh, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.) I tell them again, “No, you have it wrong; it's the full armor of God that you need to put on. There is nothing manmade that will help you. You only need the full armor of God”. I then get up and walk out of there into the long hallway. As I walk down the hallway, it is full of men lining up to put on the uniform they think is going to help them in the battle ahead. {Psa.33:16} There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. {17} A horse is a vain thing for safety; Neither doth he deliver any by his great power. {18} Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him, Upon them that hope in his lovingkindness; {19} To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. {20} Our soul hath waited for Jehovah: He is our help and our shield. ... {Psa.34:7} The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them. {8} Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him.) After leaving the “Christians” in their false confidence, I kept walking and went back to the square. The ground in the square has changed: it's all dirt now, and I could see through the dirt. I see under the dirt different piles of bones all over the place. No one knows that those bones are there, and no one sees them either. I'm not quite sure why I'm seeing them. (The hidden bones represent those who are martyred behind the scenes because they are not prepared for the battle by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, as in Romans 13:12-14. Notice that putting on Jesus IS putting on God's armor or protection. Notice that it is always called the “armor of God” because it is God Himself. {Eph.6:11} Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. {12} For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. {13} Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.  {14} Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, {15} and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; {16} withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. {17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: {18} with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Notice that putting on all of these attributes: truth, righteousness, the Gospel, and salvation are manifestations of the Word, Who is Jesus. Putting on Jesus is putting on God. It is the armor of GOD Himself.) I'm walking through the square again, and I'm praying because I need to get to the other side of the square. (Contrary to popular opinion, we will all have to pass through this time of the revived Roman beast with America at the head.) As I'm walking and praying, the people that I saw with demons controlling them, I now see as full-blown demons, but to the natural eye, they still looked human. (The worldly people will be totally possessed, though they appear to each other as normal, and we are seeing more of this happening now. The D.S. can only be picked out by their leftist demon doctrines.) There was one demon that would walk really fast. So fast that it seemed as if he was flying. This demon went right in front of my face, standing right in front of me but he could not see me. He was really angry and talking with authority, telling the other demons, “We have to find these people who are praying! NOW! NOW, I say! Find them! (Prayer by those who believe in its power will be both destructive to Satan's kingdom and defensive to those who walk in the Lord's Kingdom. {Jas.5:16} Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working. {17} Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months. {18} And he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.)  I was standing right in front of him, praying, and the demon had no clue that I was there. (In other words, I was hidden in Christ.) So, I keep walking and when I get to the right-hand corner of the square, I look. I stop, turn around, and I'm looking! I'm watching these people. And the room is not really a room. The way that it feels is completely off, like when you walk into a room, and you can see the light, yet you can see shadows behind things. This was now completely reversed. There was light where shadows would normally be. There were bits and pieces of light. It was completely off, completely out of order. It just didn't feel or look right. (When the light is dark, and the dark is light, it is when good is called evil and evil is called good. This is where demon-possessed society is and has been going. {Isa.5:20} Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! We see this with demon-possessed people now.) After I walked through there, I saw what looked like some kind of old train depot-type thing. I know it's some kind of old transportation system. I'm in this room where there are two big fences with gates -- a cement-type fence. There is a gate, and people are going in and out of the gate. And then there is like a middle part where a lot of people are walking -- a lot of traffic. (To get where they want to go, Christians can't walk where the masses do in their bondage, spiritually speaking. {Mat.7:13} Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. {14} For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. We must be conformed by the Word within.) On the other end is the same kind of gate that people are entering this place from somewhere else. When I go there, I'm waiting for Tina, Sam, and my mom. I feel like Tina and Sam went to get my mom wherever she was to bring her here. I knew that it hadn't been very long since I had seen Tina and Sam, but that I hadn't seen my mom in a while. Tina and Sam were getting ready to go through the gate that's on the other side to go to the middle. My mom stopped them and said, “No, we can't go that way. We have to go the other way”. (Sandy said that she felt that if they had gone into the middle, they would have died. This warning was not taken seriously by them and they spiritually died. They did not listen. This is where the people of God need to go from the worldly to the spiritual; there cannot be ‘a halfway', ‘a lukewarm'. This would mean spiritual death to them in this time and a spewing out of the body of Christ. {Rev.3:15} I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. {16} So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.) If you walked all the way around to the end, there was another part that was covered by the fence. They did not walk in the middle part. They had to walk all the way around to where I was. (The path of least resistance, or the shortcut, is the wrong way. The worldly church offers many of these. Just listen to them, and they will show you the quick and easy way to get saved and fly away, but the end is death.) They were almost down to that part, and there was another little gate to walk to the middle. My mom stopped and turned around and told Tina, “Grab Sam. He cannot walk in the middle. There is no middle; he can't walk in the middle”. (None of those who are lukewarm, middle-of-the-road walkers will spiritually survive.) As Sam goes toward the middle, Tina grabs him and they walk all the way around to where I was. I greet them and hug them. (This awakening was temporary.) Then I tell them, “Things are not what they seem to be”. My mom then says, “It's okay, it's okay, because everything that is happening is according to God's will. We just need to stay in constant prayer. {Pro.14:12} There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death. We just need to stay in constant prayer”. (In the days of strong delusion and deception, there's much advanced technology now using AI, CGI, and programming through drugs, mind control and manipulation, etc., we cannot walk according to our carnal mind or senses, or we will stumble. Prayer without ceasing is our command.) So, I'm walking ahead of them. Tina is walking on one side, my mom on the other side, both holding Sam's hand. Sam was not as old as he is now. He looked to be eight or nine years old. (We will have to help guide those Christians who are not yet mature in discernment. God will hear their prayers, too. Samuel is Hebrew for “God heard” or “God's name”. Shem is a variant of Sam, meaning “name”. Shem was the father of the people of the name, as Christians are now. Shem was the father of the Israelites.) Sam was trying not to act afraid when there was the presence of evil all around us. Even amongst all the evil, we knew we were under the protection of the Lord. There was no safe place other than the arms of God. I bent down to talk to Sam in his ear, saying, “It's okay to be afraid; you just fear the Lord. Don't fear anyone else or anything else. Nothing can harm you because they have to go through the Father first. Don't be afraid”. (Fear permits faith to be robbed and the enemies to take advantage of us. It is faith in reverse. {Psa.23:4} Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod [of correction] and thy staff [of direction], they comfort me. {5} Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over. (With this anointing of the Holy Spirit, we should give the good confession.) {6} Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.) Then we started walking back to the square. The dirt has changed again. The dirt now seems like it's a mud-like consistency. But to the natural eye, it looks just like dirt. I still see the piles of bones now with the mud going between the fingers, toes, etc. But now I also see something like a circle; it's a tunnel and I can see it at weird angles and kind of far. The things that I'm seeing in these tunnels are body parts with the flesh. I'm seeing arms cut off, legs, face, head, all different kinds of body parts. They look to be freshly cut off from the body because I can still see the blood. The blood is still wet. I can see the nerves on some of these parts still shaking and moving. (The ‘powers that be' have made many underground tunnels connecting cities, where the military and special forces have found remains of countless people who were murdered by satanists. According to other dreams and prophecies I have seen, it is in these tunnels that the saints will be expected to renounce Jesus or die. It behooves us to walk carefully so we fill out both our days and our ministry.)  I'm getting ready to step, and I stop. I put my hand out to stop my mom, Tina, and Sam as I watch the details of the body parts freshly cut off. It was gross. I then asked them if they saw those parts. Tina and my mom saw it; Sam closed his eyes. He didn't want to see it. I then asked, “But it's not there?” My mom said, “Oh, but it is there under the dirt”. We stopped then and there, and we started praying. We were praying in tongues. While we were praying, I told Tina to take my mom and Sam to the outer part of the square, find a place, and begin praying and interceding. And that's what they did. (As with the Nazi persecutions in the death camps of World War 2, many will deny for the sake of soothing their own conscience that these persecutions are happening, but they will be out of sight and out of mind, “under the dirt”.) I was taking very small steps as the Lord was guiding me and telling me to. (Every step in these days will need to be according to the Father's will because of the dangers. {Eph.5:15} Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; {16} redeeming the time, because the days are evil.) And I was just praying and praying and praying. As I was starting to pray, I saw the people in the square now completely as demons. I no longer saw them as humans. (The righteous will be able to see in the spirit realm those who have been displaced by demons.) As I was walking, I felt as if they were trying to find me, and they were bumping into me, but didn't know they were hitting me. I kept praying more and more. I prayed out loud, and they could hear me but couldn't see me. (Invisibility in the spirit realm makes for peace from the flesh realm.)  That big demon I saw earlier that walked really fast was now there, and there were more demons of his stature and size. They were frantic, upset and mad. One of them said, “Now there are more praying. Do you hear them praying? We have to find them NOW! I'm telling you, their prayers are reaching the throne room of Heaven. Things are going to change. Find them NOW!” There was such an urgency to find us. I walked all the way to the end of the square and I turned around and asked, “Okay, Lord. What is it that You want me to do?” (Truly, “things are going to change.” Walking to the end of the square represents that the saints will go through this beast tribulation and bring the Gospel to the whole world. Watch volume one of Hidden Manna for the End Times.) I don't know where the Lord took the men whom I saw at the beginning of the dream or what had happened, but I just knew that they were coming back. The demons were still looking really hard for the people who were praying. Not just us, but they were looking to stop everyone everywhere from praying. The Lord told me to step a foot back in the square, and I did. When I stepped back in the square, I was speaking the Word out loud. Everything that the Lord was saying to me, I was speaking out loud. The demons could now see me and were in my face, trying to intimidate or scare me. I knew that they could not touch me. They were telling me to shut up, be quiet, that my prayers were dead, and I was doing no good. “Don't you know we can kill you? We can take you out! You are nothing!” Many of them kept saying those things to me over and over. (Demons are full of threats to discourage the prayers and works of God, but most Christians don't recognize them as coming from demons, but feel they are their own thoughts and are defeated. The knowledge of God's Word will enable them to defeat the deceivers. {2Co.10:3} For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh {4} (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), {5} casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.) I said to them, “I am nothing, but through Christ Jesus He is everything. He is my all and all. Everything that I need, God is. God is the source. God is the strength. God is the great I AM! One of the demons was so close to my face that I could smell his stench. So close that he was almost touching me. I told him, “You are nothing! You can't do anything other than what my God allows. You are nothing! (God is sovereign over all, but He will allow many things that we allow because He has delegated authority over all the power of the enemies. {Mat.18:18} Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. {19} Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. ... {Luk.10:19} Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. {20} Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. I heard a noise behind me, and I turned around and saw all the men who had gone out, and there were more with them coming, and with what looked like Christ in the middle. Everyone was dressed in white. When Christ and all those men came on the scene, some of those demons became smaller and smaller. The ones that were already small were trying to run, but they couldn't go anywhere, as you have seen in cartoons, only this was not a cartoon; they were liquefying before me into a puddle on the floor, and then they were gone. I was backing up as the men were going forward. I went with Tina, Sam, and my mom to this place where I saw a lot more people who were praying and interceding. Then I woke up. (Who are these men whom the demons fear? The Lord is in the Man-child ministry to raise up many in the image of the Lord. These are coming to wreak havoc on the spiritual hosts of wickedness. Hallelujah!)  After I woke up from the dream, I heard the Lord say, “Write this down: “You have all power and authority in the name of Jesus Christ. Understand and know the power of His blood. For you are adopted, therefore you are entitled to everything. Hear Me! Understand Me! Know Me! For then the enemy cannot deceive you for what's ahead.”   The Men Whom the Demons Fear Seven spiritual shepherds who are sent by the Man-child to minister to the seven Churches, which is mentioned in Hidden Manna for the End Times. First, Jesus is coming to be manifested in the Man-child ministry. (Mic.5:2) But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. Obviously, this is Jesus. (3) Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she who travaileth hath brought forth (the man-child body): then the residue of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. Jesus left because of rebellion and will return in the Man-child who is born of the travailing woman in Revelation 12. As Jesus fed the former rain woman in a body of flesh, so He will feed the latter rain woman in a corporate body of flesh. (Mic.5:4) And He shall stand, and shall feed [His flock] in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God: and they shall abide; for now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth. The Jesus of the former rain was revered by the disciples and feared by His enemies, but because of apostasy, this has not been true for many centuries since because they have had “another Jesus.” The Man-child body and those disciples who follow in His/their steps will restore this, and He shall be “great unto the ends of the earth”. The Man-child's teaching will bring peace to the seven churches that are at war with the beast and harlot. (5) And this [man] shall be [our] peace, When the Assyrian shall come into our land, and shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds and eight principal (Hebrew: “princes among”) men. The corporate body of the Man-child is “this man” who brings peace to the corporate woman with his teachings, which enable her to resist the beast invasion. He brings peace because the “Prince of peace” is in his heart. Spiritually speaking, we are the “land” with the “palaces” that the corporate beast is trying to invade. (1Co.3:9) For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry (Greek: “tilled land”), God's building (“palaces”). As we shall see, the beast is a corporate spirit from the abyss (Rev.17:8) that inhabits the body of the wicked (3) and seeks to inhabit the righteous and mark them. Notice that the “Assyrians” are called “him” which shows that they are seen as the corporate body of the beast. Since the Assyrian beast kingdom passed away over 600 years before Christ, they could not have been connected with Jesus or the Man-child. Therefore, God, as usual, was using the beast of that day to represent a particular aspect of the end time beast. As the Assyrian beast did not conquer Jerusalem, so the end time beast will not conquer those spiritually abiding in the New Jerusalem. (Mic.5:5) ...Then shall we raise against him seven shepherds and eight principal (Hebrew: “princes among”) men. The Man-child Jesus raised up twelve apostolic shepherds primarily to restore those of the “twelve-tribes of Israel” who would listen (Mat.10:5; Act.26:7; Jas.1:1; 1Pet.1:1). In exact parallel, the corporate Man-child will raise up “seven” corporate apostolic “shepherds” primarily to restore the “seven churches”. The Man-child's primary job is to feed the unleavened bread of the Word to disciples in order to manifest Christ in them. These will be the new leadership for the seven churches in the last 3 1/2 years. These “seven shepherds” are not sectarian religious leaders but one man in Christ and are inhabited by one “prince of peace”, Jesus, hence “eight princes among men”. In the next chapter of Micah, we will see that even after the Man-child Jesus' 3 ½-year ministry, He promised to be with the shepherds in spirit “unto the consummation of the age,” (Greek: Mat.28:20) hence “eight princes among men”. These princes are sons of the King and have authority over His realm of the seven churches. The seven churches of Revelation are a type of seven different types of Christians in the Church. (Isa.4:1) And seven women (the Church) shall take hold of one man in that day. The “one man” here is Jesus manifested in the Man-child. Then He will be manifested in the seven shepherds and then in the true Church. One of God's solutions to the apostasy in the Church is new leadership. (Isa.1:26) And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning. The same type of counselors in the former rain will be given in the latter rain. Here is another confirmation of the Man-child giving His revelation to seven shepherds, who passed it on to the seven churches. When the Man-child Jesus sent His shepherds out, He called them “apostles”, meaning “one sent forth”. In other words, the shepherds were the Man-child's messengers to the churches. As a type of the Man-child, John on the Isle of Patmos was “a partaker with you in the tribulation” (Rev.1:9) when he was caught up to the throne of God and given a revelation of the coming tribulation to give to the seven churches. (4:1) After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, [a voice] as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter. (2) Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne. Like Jesus, he was given a revelation of the apostasy in the Church and told to send it to the seven churches by the hand of seven angels. (1:11) ...What thou seest, write in a book and send [it] to the seven churches.... (Rev.2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14) To the angel of the church in Ephesus (and so with Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea) write.... “Angel” in these cases is the Greek word angelos meaning “messengers” and is also used of ministers in the New Testament (Example: Luk.4:24,27; 9:52). The equivalent Hebrew word in the Old Testament is translated “messenger” when speaking of priests (Mal.2:7), John the Baptist, and Jesus (Luk.3:1). Since it doesn't make sense that John sent the revelation by angels, he must have sent it by seven minister messengers to the seven churches. This is exactly what Jesus did as Man-child. He shared His revelation with minister messengers, who shared it with the seven churches.

⚕️ Galen of Pergamum (129–c. 199 CE) was not just a physician—he was a medical empire in one mind. A surgeon, anatomist, philosopher, and prolific writer, Galen shaped medicine for more than 1,300 years. From treating gladiators in Pergamum to serving Roman emperors, he fused observation, experiment, and argument into a system that dominated anatomy, physiology, pathology, and therapeutics for centuries.

Pastor Drew Zylstra preaches from Revelation 2:8-17, “Faithful Under Fire.” —————————— More from Oostburg CRC Sermons: https://www.firstcrcoostburg.org/sermons Bible Study Resources: https://www.firstcrcoostburg.org/resources Original Music: https://open.spotify.com/album/4P7JbJlHzabPNW8GpdxKcB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJSouYxM1rwWZ4cYAvTIqVA

Send us Fan MailA church can survive open hostility and still be undone by something quieter: the urge to fit in. That's the uncomfortable warning at the center of Revelation 2:12–17, where Jesus speaks to the church in Pergamum, a city known for wealth, learning, religion, and a heavy mix of pagan worship and emperor worship. We walk through why Pergamum is described as the place “where Satan dwells,” and why that matters for anyone trying to follow Christ in a culture that celebrates anything except the truth of God's Word. Jesus commends real faithfulness, even after the martyrdom of Antipas, then confronts what the church is allowing inside its own walls: false teaching that pushes believers toward idolatry, sexual immorality, and moral accommodation. We talk plainly about the doctrine of Balaam, the Nicolaitans, and how “tolerance” can become a spiritual excuse for compromise. From there, we slow down on Jesus' warning and his promise. He calls the church to repentance and describes his Word as a sharp two-edged sword that exposes, separates, and judges. Yet he also offers hope to the overcomer: hidden manna for spiritual nourishment and a white stone with a new name, a picture of acceptance and a new identity in Christ. If you've felt the pressure to stay quiet, soften the truth, or blend Christian language with the values of the age, this conversation is for you. Subscribe for more Bible teaching, share this with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review that tells us what line you're determined not to cross.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailJesus says something that cuts through fear and confusion: “I know where you dwell.” That lands hard when Pergamum is described as the place where Satan's throne stands. We walk through Revelation 2 and talk candidly about what it means to live as Christians in a hostile culture while still holding fast to the name of Christ. If you have ever felt worn down by pressure, intimidation, or the urge to stay quiet just to keep the peace, this conversation is for you. We also spend time on Antipas, the faithful witness whose loyalty cost him his life, and we ask the question most of us avoid: what does faithfulness look like when it becomes expensive? Christian courage is not a social media pose. It is conviction under heat, endurance in suffering, and confidence that Christ knows his people by name. Then we turn to the warning that exposes a quieter threat: internal compromise. Revelation 2:14 calls out the doctrine of Balaam and the way false teaching and tolerated sin can slip into a church under the label of love, openness, or “it's not that serious.” We talk biblical discernment, the danger of adding anything to the gospel of grace, and why emotional religious tactics can distract from repentance and true faith. If you care about sound doctrine, spiritual integrity, and a church that refuses to blend in when truth is on the line, hit play. Subscribe for more, share this with someone who needs courage to stand, and leave a review with the question you want us to tackle next.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan Mail“Agree to disagree” can sound like peace, but what happens when it turns clear biblical truth into just another opinion? We go straight into Revelation's message to the church in Pergamum and talk about what it actually means to have “ears to hear.” For us, hearing the Spirit isn't mystical guesswork, it's the Word of God calling for spiritual attention, obedience, and a kind of perseverance that won't bend when pressure shows up.We also wrestle with the tension a lot of Christians feel right now: God's Word has survived centuries of attack, but rejection still seems to grow louder. Why do people walk past grace like it's nothing, and what does Jesus mean when he warns that some will hear, “Depart from me, I never knew you”? From there, we get painfully practical about compromise in the church, the way false doctrine creeps in, and why tolerance is sometimes confused with maturity.Then we slow down and unpack two powerful promises to the overcomer: hidden manna and the white stone. We talk about Christ as the true bread from heaven who satisfies where counterfeit “feasts” never can, and we explain the white stone as a sign of acquittal, acceptance, purity, and admission into lasting fellowship with Jesus. If you want deeper Christian discipleship, biblical truth without spin, and a call to bold witness, press play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailIf you've ever watched bad doctrine spread and felt your throat tighten when it was time to speak, you'll recognize the tension we're wrestling with here. We talk candidly about why Christians go silent on livestreams, in church circles, and even at home, and how quickly “don't rock the boat” turns into “let it slide.” When someone calls you mean, unkind, or “the problem” for correcting error, what do you do next?We ground the conversation in Revelation 2 and Jesus' message to the church at Pergamum, where tolerance becomes more than a personality flaw, it becomes a spiritual crisis. We unpack compromise, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, and the difference between patience toward struggling believers and making room for teaching that dishonors Christ. Along the way we challenge popular claims that Christians never need to repent, and we talk about church accountability, correction, and why truth spoken at the right moment can protect other souls.We also touch a controversial fault line in modern Christianity: how end-times frameworks and political loyalties can crowd out the heart of the gospel. We discuss “spiritual Israel,” equal footing for all believers through Jesus Christ, and salvation language tied to grace, regeneration, and God's initiating work. If you want Bible study, clear doctrine, and a serious look at what Jesus says He hates, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

‘Letters to Lampstands' - Series message 3Text: Revelation 2:12-17Jesus commended the church in Pergamum for holding fast to Him while enduring persecution in a hostile city, filled with temples to Greek gods and to Ceasar. He called some in their midst to repent of holding to false teaching, while promising those who overcame hidden manna and a white stone with a new name. We will examine how we can stay true to Christ when facing opposition and pressure from our culture. 7 5 26 Faithful in the Face of Compromise Geoff Frink

You haven't rejected Jesus. You've just stopped letting Him be Lord of every room.This is Part 3 of SEVEN LETTERS, a series walking through Jesus' letters to seven real churches in the book of Revelation. In His letter to the church in Pergamum, Jesus confronts a community that held on to His name—but slowly made peace with the very things He called them to resist. The question isn't whether you believe in Jesus. It's whether He's actually in charge.Whether you've been drifting without realizing it, feeling the pressure to keep your faith quiet, or wondering how the church keeps losing its edge in culture—this message cuts right to the center of it.In this message you'll discover:- Why "reducing Jesus from King to consultant" is more dangerous than outright rejection- How the ancient compromise of the Pergamum church mirrors the exact pressure Christians face today- What the story of Balaam reveals about false teachers and spiritual drift in the modern church- The meaning behind the white stone—and why it matters more than the world's verdict on who you areKey Scriptures: Revelation 2:12-17, Numbers 22-25, 1 John 2:18, John 6Support Our Ministry: https://my.flatironschurch.com/give-to-online-campusStay Connected:Website: https://flatironschurch.comFacebook: https://Facebook.com/flatironsInstagram: https://Instagram.com/flatironschurchBring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world. This is the mission of Flatirons Church, led by Jim Burgen and based in Lafayette, CO, with multiple locations in Colorado and online.

There are good and bad types of compromise. Bad types of compromise are giving up on core beliefs and values. Consensus is putting away or giving up everything you believe. Jesus is coming with the sword of salvation and and of judgment. Only what God thinks matters.

Matt Smethurst preaches Revelation 2:12–17 at River City Baptist Church, a new congregation in Richmond, Virginia. For more information or to get in touch, visit https://rivercityrichmond.org.

Pergamum: The Danger of Toleration Revelation 2:12-17 Dr. Weston Brown covenantshreveport.org

In this Episode, Luke Mansfield preaches on the church in Pergamum, looking how compromise can affect a churches walk with Christ

In today's message, we journey to the church in Pergamum, where Jesus commends unwavering loyalty while confronting dangerous compromise. Surrounded by a culture that demanded allegiance to earthly powers, believers were challenged to declare one truth above all else: Jesus is King.The greatest threat to our faith isn't always persecution—it can be the voices we quietly begin to tolerate. As we study Revelation 2:12–17, we'll discover how King Jesus calls His Church to reject compromise, trust His provision, and remain loyal no matter the cost.What voices are shaping your heart more than the voice of Jesus?▶SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernHillsLV▶Do you know Jesus as your Savior? https://www.southernhillslv.com/the-gospel▶ DONATE: https://pushpay.com/g/southernhills?src=hpp&r=monthly▶ Visit Southern Hills: https://www.southernhillslv.com/▶ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernhillslv▶ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernhillslv/

Part 3 of our series, Jesus Revealed: Letters to the Church. Thanks for listening to this message from New Life Church. In this message, Pastor Joel Solomon continues our journey through the seven letters to the churches in Revelation. As Jesus addresses the church in Pergamum, we discover His call to stand firm in truth and remain faithful without compromising our devotion to Him. This message was recorded at New Life Church | Kempsville in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Pastor Lucas Miles continued the Behold: The Revelation of Jesus Christ series by examining the first four of Jesus' seven letters to the churches in Revelation 2. He explained that these letters are not simply an introduction to Revelation, but a central part of the book, each following a similar pattern: a description of Jesus, a commendation, a rebuke when necessary, and a promise to those who remain faithful.The message explored the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. While each church faced unique circumstances, a common theme emerged: the danger of compromising with the surrounding culture. Ephesus was praised for its commitment to sound doctrine but rebuked for abandoning its first love. Smyrna remained faithful despite persecution and received only encouragement from Christ. Pergamum was warned for tolerating false teaching and immorality, while Thyatira was confronted for allowing a false prophetess to lead believers astray.Throughout the sermon, Pastor Lucas challenged the congregation to consider where cultural assimilation can subtly replace biblical faithfulness. Drawing connections between the struggles of the early church and modern-day challenges, he encouraged believers to remain rooted in God's truth rather than conforming to the values of the world.The message concluded with a personal challenge: If the Holy Spirit wrote a letter to Nfluence Church today, what would it say? More importantly, what would Jesus say about each of our own lives?Key Themes:The Seven Churches of RevelationFaithfulness vs. Cultural CompromiseJesus' Evaluation of the ChurchThe Danger of Losing Your First LoveStanding Firm Through PersecutionFalse Teaching & Spiritual DiscernmentRepentance & OvercomingTimestamps:3:42 — Revelation overview & the seven churches15:24 — Ephesus: Sound doctrine, lost first love25:23 — Smyrna: Faithful through persecution32:14 — Pergamum: The danger of compromise44:28 — Thyatira: Tolerating false teaching49:53 — What would Jesus write to our church?

Pastor Lucas Miles continued the Behold: The Revelation of Jesus Christ series by examining the first four of Jesus' seven letters to the churches in Revelation 2. He explained that these letters are not simply an introduction to Revelation, but a central part of the book, each following a similar pattern: a description of Jesus, a commendation, a rebuke when necessary, and a promise to those who remain faithful.The message explored the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. While each church faced unique circumstances, a common theme emerged: the danger of compromising with the surrounding culture. Ephesus was praised for its commitment to sound doctrine but rebuked for abandoning its first love. Smyrna remained faithful despite persecution and received only encouragement from Christ. Pergamum was warned for tolerating false teaching and immorality, while Thyatira was confronted for allowing a false prophetess to lead believers astray.Throughout the sermon, Pastor Lucas challenged the congregation to consider where cultural assimilation can subtly replace biblical faithfulness. Drawing connections between the struggles of the early church and modern-day challenges, he encouraged believers to remain rooted in God's truth rather than conforming to the values of the world.The message concluded with a personal challenge: If the Holy Spirit wrote a letter to Nfluence Church today, what would it say? More importantly, what would Jesus say about each of our own lives?Key Themes:The Seven Churches of RevelationFaithfulness vs. Cultural CompromiseJesus' Evaluation of the ChurchThe Danger of Losing Your First LoveStanding Firm Through PersecutionFalse Teaching & Spiritual DiscernmentRepentance & OvercomingTimestamps:3:42 — Revelation overview & the seven churches15:24 — Ephesus: Sound doctrine, lost first love25:23 — Smyrna: Faithful through persecution32:14 — Pergamum: The danger of compromise44:28 — Thyatira: Tolerating false teaching49:53 — What would Jesus write to our church?

Sunday, June 28, 2026Ears to Hear. Listening for the Voice of Christ. "Pergamum: A Compromised Church" - Tyler TankersleySermon based on Revelation 2:12-17(reading by Kim Hovis)

A gladiator named Diodorus defeated his opponent Demetrius in the arena, accepted his submission, discarded his own helmet and shield, and reached for the palm branch that marked his victory. Then the referee refused to honor the submission and ordered the fight to continue. Diodorus was killed. His tombstone, which survives, reads: "Murderous Fate and the cunning treachery of the referee killed me, and leaving the light, I have gone to Hades." Another gladiator named Urbicus, who had once spared a defeated opponent and was later killed by that same man in a rematch, left behind the most chilling last words in Roman history: "I advise that he who defeats a man should kill him." Today's guest is Harry Sidebottom, author of *Those Who Are About to Die: A Day in the Life of a Roman Gladiator*. Structured as a single twenty-four-hour cycle from the gladiators' last supper through the morning beast hunts, midday executions, and afternoon combat, Sidebottom's book dismantles almost everything Hollywood has taught us about the arena. We discuss why gladiators were deliberately fattened on barley stew so their subcutaneous fat would produce spectacular bleeding from non-fatal wounds, how Roman senators kept illegally sneaking into gladiatorial schools despite repeated bans stretching across two centuries, why the Colosseum was built on top of Nero's artificial lake using plunder from the sack of Jerusalem, and how Galen pioneered human surgery by first vivisecting a live monkey and then treating wounded gladiators at Pergamum. We also look at why epileptics drank gladiator blood as medicine (and why Roman doctors reluctantly admitted it might work), how twenty-nine Saxon prisoners strangled each other without a rope rather than fight, and why Constantine did not actually abolish gladiatorial combat despite what every Christian source claims.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Andrew MillerIn this message, Pastor Andrew Miller continues in Revelation, exploring Jesus' message to the church in Pergamum and the call to remain loyal to Christ in a culture filled with competing influences and spiritual pressures. Through Revelation 2:12–17, we learn about the call to loyalty, the enemies of loyalty, and the provision Jesus gives His people to remain faithful as they fight against the currents that pull them away from Him.

No Compromise | Seven Letters (Part 3 – Pergamum) What happens when you stay faithful on the outside—but start drifting on the inside? In this message, we unpack Jesus' letter to the church in Pergamum (Revelation 2:12–17), where believers faced intense cultural pressure yet tolerated subtle compromise. Discover how to stand firm in a world that pulls you to blend in, why God calls you higher, and the powerful promises waiting on the other side of faithfulness. Don't trade what God is building for what culture will break.

The post Revelation 2: 12 – 17. Letter to the seven churches – Pergamum appeared first on Welbeck Road Evangelical Church.

.videoWrapper {position: relative;padding-bottom: 56.25%; /* 16:9 */padding-top: 25px;height: 0;}.videoWrapper iframe {position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;width: 100%;height: 100%;} ❖保祿在寫《厄弗所書》時，提到自己正被監禁：「我保祿為你們外邦人的緣故，作基督耶穌囚犯的，為你們祈禱。⋯⋯為這福音我竟作了帶鎖鏈的使者──使我能放心大膽，照我應該宣講的去宣講」（3:1; 6:20）。《厄弗所書》與《哥羅森書》、《費肋孟書》及《斐理伯書》，都提到受監禁一事，且表示有獲得釋放的希望，這四封信同被稱為「獄函」。學者大都認為這四封書信寫於同一時期，即在羅馬首次被監禁的末期，約在公元63年（宗28:16,30,31）。至於本書信的收信人，大概就是厄弗所或以它為中心的亞細亞信友團體。 ❖厄弗所（Ephesus）位於亞細亞的愛琴海岸，是愛奧尼亞十二城邦聯盟（Ionian amphictyony）之一。亞歷山大死後（公元前323年），厄弗所便成了培爾加摩王國（Pergamum）的領土。133年阿塔路三世（Attalus III 138-133）死前拱手把它送給羅馬，厄弗所遂成了亞細亞的省府。這城名人輩出，包括希臘形上學鼻祖赫拉克里特（Heraclitus）、詩人希波納赫斯（Hipponax）、演說家及政治家亞歷山大力克洛（Alexander the Lychnus）。公元二世紀，更建有塞爾蘇圖書館（Library of Celsus）。亞細亞當時的大路，都以厄弗所作起始點（caput viae），可謂條條大路通厄弗所。在新約時代，厄弗所是羅馬帝國亞細亞省的省會，因而成為各民族文物會萃的地方。猶太人在此城亦建有會堂，至今雖仍未發現它們所在的遺跡，但可知他們人數不少（宗18:19）。 這裏的阿爾特米女神殿（Artemision），是古代「七大奇觀」之一。阿爾特米（Artemis）等同亞細亞人的大神母西布利（Cybele），又是羅馬人的狄安娜（Diana）。這座神殿曾遭多次毀壞及重建，於保祿時代應是壯麗無比。神殿長約115米，闊55米，有127根巨柱。相傳放在廟內的女神像是用隕石製成，被稱為「那從天降下的神像」（宗19:35）。厄弗所的阿爾特米神像胸前滿布乳房，身上的長衣飾以各種動物，稱為多乳的阿爾特米（Artemis Polymaste）。厄弗所是亞細亞崇拜阿爾特米女神的中心，他們在阿爾特米月（Artemisia，三至四月間）舉行神像遊行、戲劇和競技大會。阿爾特米像先由神殿摃至大劇院，沿途有隆重巡遊，民眾夾道歡迎，載歌載舞。厄弗所大劇院，可容納25,000人，阿爾特米月為敬禮這女神而舉行的盛會，便是以這劇院為中心。這一切為製造阿爾特米小神像、神龕、還願獻禮，以至靈符的匠人，實在是一大商機。 這裏還有羅馬凱撒敬禮，在帝國中只有少數在帝國中心以外的城市，能設立敬禮凱撒的神廟。厄弗所竟獲此榮銜，得稱為帝國神廟的「廟祝」（neokoros）。這對當地的猶太人和基督徒而言，確是一大誘惑和挑戰。奧古斯都執政初期，厄弗所已在阿爾特米女神殿的庭院內，設了一座凱撒大祭壇，但這僅屬個別城市敬禮級別。厄弗所人幾經爭取，竟能三次成為帝國的廟祝（喀勞狄Claudius或尼祿Nero；哈德良Hadrian；色外洛Severus）。可是厄弗所人對阿爾特米的熱誠，令他們曾失去「帝國廟祝」的殊榮，因為公元26年羅馬議會認為厄弗所人太沉着於阿爾特米的敬禮，無暇兼顧羅馬女神和凱撒的敬禮。 ❖保祿在54年到了厄弗所傳教（宗19:1），其實他兩年前結束第二次傳教旅程時，已路過厄弗所作片刻逗留，並決意重臨（宗18:20-21）。保祿知道這裏比雅典或格林多是更理想的傳教中心：前者是個文化古都，後者是個商業重鎮，但厄弗所二者兼是，而且更是個宗教中心，對他來說，確是個大挑戰，又是個大好契機。保祿先在那裏的猶太會堂宣講，過了三個月，他見猶太人並無意接納基督的信仰，遂離開會堂，轉到提郎諾（Tyrannus）的講堂（scholē）繼續傳教。這活動持續了兩至三年（大概是54-57年；見宗19:10; 20:31），為厄弗所教會建立了穩固的根基（宗19章），並親自或派遣門徒在全亞細亞省傳佈了福音（格前16:8,9），以致亞細亞所有的居民「都聽見了主的道理」（宗19:10）。 ❖天主藉保祿行了一些奇蹟（宗19:12），致令許多從前曾篤信巫術的人皈依天主，並燒燬了大批巫術書籍。在這裏基督信仰首次與民間的鬼神信仰正面交鋒。厄弗所也充斥着「天使」敬禮和迷信，人們相信星宿與天使能影響他們的命運 （參看弗6:12；羅8:38；格前15:24；弗1:21; 3:10; 6:12；哥1:16; 2:10,15）。保祿曾對人說：「人手製造的，並不是神，」令製造阿爾特米小神龕的銀匠不滿，因為他們「是靠這手藝發財的。」銀匠工會領袖德默特琉（Demetrius）煽動群眾，喊着說：「大哉！厄弗所人的阿爾特米！」一起衝到劇院（宗19:28-29）。保祿險些被他們抓住，保祿原想親自到劇院去自辯，可是門徒們不讓他去，還有幾位亞細亞的首長（Asiarchoi），勸他不要冒險到劇院去（宗19:30-31）。 銀匠騷動過後，保祿在結束第三次傳教時，先巡視了希臘和馬其頓各教會（宗20:1-2），回程中更派人請厄弗所的長老到米肋托（Miletus）會晤，離別前對他們說：「我知道在我離開之後，將有兇暴的豺狼進到你們中間，不顧惜羊群，就是在你們中間，也要有人起來講說謬論，勾引門徒跟隨他們。因此，你們要警醒⋯⋯在各方面我都給你們立了榜樣，就是必須這樣勞動，扶助病弱者；要記住主耶穌的話，他說過：『施予比領受更為有福。』」保祿說完這些話，便和眾人一起跪下祈禱，「眾人都大哭起來，並伏在保祿的頸項上，口親他。他們最傷心的，是為了保祿說的這句話：以後他們不得再見他的面了。他們便送他上了船」（宗20:29-38）。後來果真如此，不但在厄弗所，即在亞細亞各教會，都闖進了一些兇暴的豺狼。 ❖為此，保祿在羅馬受監禁時致書他們，駁斥當時在亞細亞所流行的異端邪說，因為有些人否認耶穌為天主，僅將他列於天使的等級中；另有些人堅持舊約禁食和慶節的法律，還有些人倡言造化二元論。這封信可謂一封「公函」，信中並沒有提到私人的消息和個人的心境，以及對私人的問安等語。本書的主要論題，雖與《哥羅森書》頗相類似，但在理論方面較為抽象與深湛，且頗具系統化；所以本書在各書信中，確是深奧難明的一封，其中心思想，即是基督的教會宛如基督的妙身：為肢體的眾信友與為首的基督合而為一，以及肢體間彼此的連繫，即是這一妙身生命的基礎（1:22, 23; 2:20-22; 4:9-16; 5:23-33）。 ❖本書除題名（1:1,2）與結論外（6:21-24），可分為兩部份：一為教義部份，一為倫理部份。在第一部份內（1:3-3:21），首先討論基督救贖的奧蹟，然後討論基督妙身的道理；在第二部份內（4:1-6:20），勸告信友在各人地位上要保存心神的合一，並勉力修德成聖；最後勸勉信友要時常配備着信、望、愛三德的武器，以攻打靈魂的仇敵。 本書信的開端語： ❖「因天主的旨意，做耶穌基督宗徒的保祿」（1a）──保祿開首自稱為「耶穌基督的宗徒」，而且更指明是「因天主的旨意」而為的，這與他在格前、格後、哥、弟後所寫的相同，聲明他並非自詡為宗徒，而是「因天主的旨意」，是天主所選和安排的，正如天主對阿納尼雅論保祿所說的：「這人是我所揀選的器皿」（宗9:15）。 ❖「致書給那些在厄弗所的聖徒和信仰基督耶穌的人」（1b）──「在厄弗所的」一語，不見於重要的早期抄卷（P46、Sinaiticus 及Vaticanus；教父奧利振Origen及巴西略Basil也提及這點），很可能在抄寫其間，那些厄弗所的抄經員，給撒爾德（Sardis）、培爾加摩（Pergamum）或提雅提辣（Thyatira）等亞細亞教會抄寫時，覺得「在厄弗所的」一語對其他教會有點尷尬，遂把它刪去；這樣我們也可以明白為什麼有些古抄卷沒有此語，但此語大概應屬原文。自古以來的教父們（如依勒內Irenaeus、慕辣托黎殘卷Muratorian Fragment、亞歷山大里亞的格肋孟Clement of Alexandria、奧利振Origen、戴都良Terrtullian等）都公認此信是寫給厄弗所的。 本書的傳遞人是提希苛（Tychicus；6:21），我們可推想他到了厄弗所，就將本書呈交該處教會的長老們，保祿曾吩咐他，「給你們報告一切，好使你們知道我的事和我現在作什麼。我特意打發他到你們那裏去，為叫你們知道我們的情形，並叫他安慰你們的心」（6:21-22）。他們自然很高興地拆開閱讀了。這信既是給亞細亞各教會的「公函」，相信厄弗所的長老們事必設法多抄寫幾分，給每個教會送一分。保祿之所以請厄弗所教會轉送信件，是因為他以厄弗所教會為亞細亞各教會之首。提希苛很可能還帶著保祿的其他兩封信，一是給哥羅森教會的，一是給勞狄刻雅教會的（後者不知何故遺失了）。自然這些信將來也要在厄弗所誦讀，因為保祿當時要各地教會傳誦自己所寫的信：「幾時你們宣讀了這封信，務要使這封信也在勞狄刻雅人的教會內宣讀；至於那由勞狄刻雅轉來的信，你們也要宣讀」（哥4:16）。 ❖「願恩寵與平安，由我們的父天主和主耶穌基督，賜與你們！」（2）── 本書的致候辭，與保祿其他書信的致候辭，大抵相同（羅1:7；格前1:3；格後1:2；迦1:3；斐1:2；得後1:2；鐸1:4；費3［哥1:2；得前1:1；弟前1:2；弟後1:2略有不同〕）。這信首致候辭與信末的問候語，也引用了「我們的父天主和主耶穌基督」的「恩寵」與「平安」，正好構成一個前後呼應，他在信末說：「願平安、愛德和信德由天主父和主耶穌基督賜與眾弟兄！願恩寵與那些以永恆不變的愛愛我們的主耶穌基督的人同在！」（6:23-24）。 「恩寵與平安」（ca,rij kai. eivrh,nh - charis kai eirēnē）在新約出現的13次中，有11 次是保祿書信的致候辭，另兩次出現在伯後1:2；默1:4。所謂「恩寵」（charis: grace）並非單指一份恩典或禮物，而是舊約中常說的「慈愛」（ds,x,- ḥesed），這是天主基於盟約對選民不變的「慈愛」。當然，天主對教會的「慈愛/恩寵」，也表現在他賜與他們的各種奇恩異寵上（「神恩」ca,risma - charisma；參看格前12及14章）。而舊約中的「平安」（~wOlv' - shalom）除指消弭戰爭外，更是一種「圓滿和豐盈的生命」，不是世上以軍備平衡來維繫的「和平」（Pax Romana！），或一種苟且偷生的存活，免受侵犯和騷擾。為此，保祿說這平安是「由我們的天主父和主耶穌基督，賜給你們。」這正是耶穌所說的「我把平安留給你們，我將我的平安賜給你們；我所賜給你們的，不像世界所賜的一樣」（若14:27）。 ____________________________＿ ❖乙年的主日彌撒讀經，由常年期第十五主日開始，直至第二十一主日，我們連續7個主日會選讀聖保祿的四大書信之一的《厄弗所書》（另有7篇，分別在聖誕、四旬、復活期，及耶穌聖心和聖母無玷始胎節誦讀）。 厄弗所的街道和店舖遺跡 塞爾蘇圖書館遺跡 二世紀時的厄弗所城 厄弗所大劇院 阿爾特米女神像 阿爾特米女神殿模型

Today pastor John Randall resumes his series in Revelation, as we conclude our look at the Lord's letter to the church in Pergamum. This particular church was like many churches today. What started as a small drip of false teaching has turned into a flood of deceit. They were compromising. The solution to this problem hasn't changed over the last two thousand years. Let's find out what God's word has to say on the matter! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1368/29?v=20251111

Last time we completed John's look at the Lord's letter to Smyrna, in Revelation chapter two. It was a letter of encouragement and praise. Today, as we begin a study of the letter to Pergamum, we see a very different tone from the Lord. Pergamum had fallen into the hands of false teaching. They were compromising. The Lord's response? Repent! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1368/29?v=20251111

From our series titled Revelation: Loyalty to the Lamb in the Land of Idols. In this series, we will look at the first five chapters of Revelation and learn what whole-hearted allegiance to the way of the Lamb looks like. Guest preacher: Mike Quint. Scripture reading: Revelation 2:12-17Additional readings: Numbers 22Exodus 16John 6:48-58Isaiah 62Recommended book: The Lost Letters of Pergamum by Bruce W. LongneckerLearn more about Redeemer Church at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠redeemerclt.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Rev. 2:12-17 The church at Pergamum is a portrait of when comprise enters the church. The areas of morality and theology were weaknesses where the state and culture that influenced the church to compromise their beliefs. 

Laodicea, an important city of the Roman Empire, had a serious issue with drinkable water. Hot Springs filled with impurities were a main source of water for the city. Archaeological excavations have revealed an attempt to bring water from an outside source in through stone pipes containing limestone deposits which would have contaminated the water for drinking. Just as lukewarm water is useless, the church in Laodicea is useless to Jesus. Dependency is a sign of maturity for a Christian. The danger of wealth is that it has the potential to create independent people. They may feel competent and successful but they are in actuality poor, and pitiful. Jesus strong words are a love gift to wake them up and reset their lives onto a new trajectory. They need only to repent, turn away from self-sufficiency and turn back to Jesus!------------------------By now we can see each church named is located in a real place with real temptations, hardships, and opposition. This is how it is for all Christians in all centuries – for we do have a very real enemy and this world is not our home. Additionally we have also seen how Jesus uses illustrations from the reader's own environment to communicate deep spiritual truths for greater understanding among its hearers. He did this all throughout the gospels as well!  In Summary:• **Ephesus – drifting church:** right doctrine but did not have love• **Smyrna – suffering church:** going through persecution—encouraged to stay faithful• **Pergamum – compromising church:** held to the truth—exhorted to not compromise• **Thyatira – tolerant church:** tolerance led to unfaithfulness• **Sardis – defeated church:** apathy and material wealth lead to defeat• **Philadelphia—suffering church:** going through persecution—Jesus reminds them of His love.• **Laodicea—lukewarm church:** apathy and material wealth lead to uselessnessThe pattern laid out in these letters is: *who Jesus is, who the church is, exhortations and promises.*Let us take to heart the condition of each church, examining our own walk and the culture of our own church against each possible state. Let us receive both Jesus' words of encouragement in suffering and His warnings in apathy. Above all else let us wake up to and rejoice in our “great need for a Saviour and a great Saviour for our need!” (Spurgeon)Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Revelation 3:14-22

Laodicea, an important city of the Roman Empire, had a serious issue with drinkable water. Hot Springs filled with impurities were a main source of water for the city. Archaeological excavations have revealed an attempt to bring water from an outside source in through stone pipes containing limestone deposits which would have contaminated the water for drinking. Just as lukewarm water is useless, the church in Laodicea is useless to Jesus. Dependency is a sign of maturity for a Christian. The danger of wealth is that it has the potential to create independent people. They may feel competent and successful but they are in actuality poor, and pitiful. Jesus strong words are a love gift to wake them up and reset their lives onto a new trajectory. They need only to repent, turn away from self-sufficiency and turn back to Jesus!------------------------By now we can see each church named is located in a real place with real temptations, hardships, and opposition. This is how it is for all Christians in all centuries – for we do have a very real enemy and this world is not our home. Additionally we have also seen how Jesus uses illustrations from the reader's own environment to communicate deep spiritual truths for greater understanding among its hearers. He did this all throughout the gospels as well!  In Summary:• **Ephesus – drifting church:** right doctrine but did not have love• **Smyrna – suffering church:** going through persecution—encouraged to stay faithful• **Pergamum – compromising church:** held to the truth—exhorted to not compromise• **Thyatira – tolerant church:** tolerance led to unfaithfulness• **Sardis – defeated church:** apathy and material wealth lead to defeat• **Philadelphia—suffering church:** going through persecution—Jesus reminds them of His love.• **Laodicea—lukewarm church:** apathy and material wealth lead to uselessnessThe pattern laid out in these letters is: *who Jesus is, who the church is, exhortations and promises.*Let us take to heart the condition of each church, examining our own walk and the culture of our own church against each possible state. Let us receive both Jesus' words of encouragement in suffering and His warnings in apathy. Above all else let us wake up to and rejoice in our “great need for a Saviour and a great Saviour for our need!” (Spurgeon)Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Revelation 3:14-22

The sermon, drawn from Revelation 2:12–17, presents a powerful call to faithfulness amid both external persecution and internal spiritual compromise, focusing on the church in Pergamum as a case study in enduring temptation. Though the believers are commended for steadfastness under Roman persecution—refusing to deny Christ even in the face of martyrdom—they are rebuked for tolerating false teachings that lead to spiritual adultery through participation in pagan idolatry and sexual immorality, echoing the sins of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. The central message underscores that true discipleship demands total allegiance to Christ, rejecting any form of syncretism that compromises worship, even when disguised as cultural accommodation. Jesus, portrayed as the victorious, all-powerful Lord wielding the sharp two-edged sword, warns of imminent judgment on those who tolerate such compromise, yet offers a profound promise of victory to the overcomer: hidden manna and a white stone with a new name, symbolizing intimate fellowship, purity, and divine recognition. The sermon concludes with a pastoral exhortation to vigilance, urging believers to awaken from spiritual complacency, reject worldly seductions, and live with renewed devotion to Christ, whose sacrifice has made them a royal priesthood, called to holiness and eternal life.

What if Jesus wrote our church a letter? Revelation 2 records the first four messages from Jesus to seven churches in the Roman province of Asia. Jesus provided encouragement, especially regarding persecution, but also warned against the dangers of complacency and compromise. Read more...

Jesus is the First and the Last—the One who was there at the beginning, and the One who holds the final word. What feels unfinished, broken, or uncertain in our lives is not beyond His reach. In Him, every chapter finds its meaning, and every ending is held in hope. This Sunday, we're leaning into the truth that Jesus completes the story. Not with fear, but with victory. Not with despair, but with redemption. Come and be reminded: what stands against us will not outlast the One who stands for us. If you are new to Community Church, WELCOME! We would love to get to know you. Please fill in the following form and we look forward to connecting with you: https://bit.ly/cc-new-connect You can find all timely and relevant links from this service on https://bit.ly/cc-links You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/ ================ This Week's Scripture: // Revelation 1:9-20 (NIV) // John's vision of Christ I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: ‘Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.' I turned round to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash round his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. ‘Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 1:9–20 9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Jesus had “a few things” against the church in Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17). They were true to His name and faith. They were not holding to error, nor actively participating in immorality. However, they were tolerating those who held doctrines contrary to Christ. They were called to repent.

Pergamum sits north of Smyrna and about 16 miles inland from the Aegean Sea. Their massive library rivaled the library in Alexandria housing thousands of works. It was in Pergamum where the use of more expensive and longer lasting parchment was developed (1). In addition to three temples dedicated to the emperor, Pergamum also had a temple for Asclepius, god of healing; Dionysius, god of “wine and ecstasy";(2) Athena, goddess of wisdom and warfare, along with the great alter to Zeus(3) (considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world)The Christians here stood strong in their faith in and worship of Christ, but struggled with tolerance and compromise over wrong teachings about Him. Living in such a hostile environment towards the things of Christ would have been difficult. The belief systems and practices surrounding them were idolatrous and immoral and to hold fast not just to declaring Christ as Lord but also discerning practically how that applies to daily life would require courage and fortitude. Allowing idolatrous and immoral teaching and practice to creep into their church hindered their ability to fully honor Jesus and maintain faithfulness to His word. The church needed to take these things seriously and stop. -------To keep the gospel in the forefront as we read these letters, we invite you to memorize Revelation 12:11:They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.-------Prepare for this week's teaching by reading **Revelation 2:12-17**

Speaker: Josh Pavel Letter to Pergamum Josh Pavel

Send us a message! (or visit outloudbible.com/contact to start a conversation)We slow down in Revelation 2 and 3 and let the letters from Jesus read us instead of us just reading them. We ask what repentance looks like when the problem isn't loud rebellion but quiet comfort, subtle compromise, and spiritual autopilot. • why the seven letters are for us today, not just ancient churches • the common structure of each letter: who Jesus is, what he praises, what he confronts, what he promises • Ephesus and leaving your first love, the “sweatpants Christian” warning, doing the deeds you did at first • Smyrna and the uncomfortable question of whether we fear suffering • Pergamum and the danger of “almost true” teaching, testing every message against Scripture • Thyatira and why tolerance is not the same as love, refusing to normalize sin • Laodicea, lukewarm usefulness, and the threat of self-sufficiency • Jesus knocking at the door, responding with openness, conviction, and repentance  At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Send us a message! (or visit outloudbible.com/contact to start a conversation)Contact me and let me know: (1) how has OBP helped you in your relationship with God?(2) what you'd like to see in the next season of the podcast(3) questions about the Bible We start the Book of Revelation and set our hearts on its main purpose: revealing Jesus Christ as the risen King who will win the final victory over sin and death. We read Revelation 1 to 3 aloud and let Jesus' letters to the seven churches search our lives with both warning and hope. • inviting listener feedback as we near the end of the first Bible read through • how the podcast has helped your relationship with God and sharing testimonies • what to expect in Revelation as prophecy and as a revelation of Jesus • John's exile on Patmos and why Revelation is written • the blessing of reading prophecy aloud and hearing and obeying it • Jesus walking among the lampstands and knowing His churches • the repeating pattern in the seven letters: praise, correction, call to repent, promise to conquer • personal reflection prompts from Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea  At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Join us for this week's sermon!Whether you're seeking hope, direction, or a deeper connection with God, this message is for you. Each week, we open God's Word together to find truth, encouragement, and strength for the journey.

Do you think it's hard to be a good person? There are many factors, many influences, on each individual: family of origin, biology, social context, peer pressure, cultural issues, nature and nurture. But of course, what is missing from that list is the individual, the person, their heart, their soul. At the end of the day, we each make our own choices. But that doesn't make context irrelevant. Jesus begins his letter to the church in Pergamum in Revelation 2:12–17, “I know where you dwell.” Context is not irrelevant. The “where” matters. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on this passage, looking at the place of compromise, the faithful witness, and the blessings of God's house. Part of a series on the book of Revelation. From Sunday Worship, April 12, 2026. ------------------------------- Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions: We are unlikely to eat the food of literal idols. However, in what areas of life do you feel pressure to compromise your values to get ahead or ensure financial security? What is going on in your heart that tempts you to compromise in this way? Jesus tells the church that he knows exactly where they dwell. How does it change your perspective to know that Jesus deeply understands the specific pressures of the environment you live in every day? In what ways does remembering Jesus as the Faithful Witness who faced the sword for us empower you to stand firm when you feel the reality of dwelling where Satan's throne is? How does the promise of hidden manna and a white stone with a new name offer a better kind of security and identity than the things we are tempted to chase in our careers or social circles? ------------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

**Through the Resurrection all who trust in Jesus can live Victoriously.** Seven churches in Asia minor were each given a letter with encouragements, corrections and promises to those who overcome. How do we overcome and live victoriously? It is by faith alone, through grace alone. Jesus' victory is ours through faith in His work on our behalf. All Praise, Honor, and Glory to Jesus, the Living One who was dead and is alive for ever and ever!!**A Note on the book of Revelation:**Revelation is a letter of prophecy written to seven churches in Asia minor. There are differing perspectives among Biblical scholars as to how Revelation is to be read and understood. This is true of not yet fulfilled prophecy in all of scripture, both Old and New Testament alike. We need not be afraid of reading this portion of scripture because of all the controversy. As with every text of God's word – Jesus is both the One revealed and the One who is doing the revealing. Jesus makes Himself known to us and as long as we keep our eyes focused on magnifying Jesus and resting in His consistent character we can allow room for mystery and our own limitations without losing heart or getting off track.Our sermon series will focus on each individual church's letter found in chapters 1-3. These first-century churches in the Roman province of Asia (currently western Turkey) are mentioned; Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. We'll begin with the Apostle John exiled on the island of Patmos where he sees Jesus in all His glory. John does his best to record what he has seen and heard within the limitations of human language. (Chapter 1)To help us maintain our focus over the next eight weeks, we invite you to memorize Revelation 12:11: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”To help you begin, take time to write the memory verse on notecards and place in an ideal location for your daily review.Additionally, as you prepare for this week's teaching, read Revelation 1:1-20 and your study Bible's introduction (if applicable, or Click here for the ESV Global Study Bible's Introduction to Revelation)

The message centers on Jesus' warning to the church in Pergamum that spiritual compromise can quietly settle in even where faith is professed, as believers learn to coexist with darkness while thinking they still walk in light (Revelation 2:12–13); living “where Satan's throne is” meant constant pressure to blend truth with pagan culture, emperor worship, and false sources of healing, yet Christ reveals Himself as the One who wields the sharp, two-edged sword—His Word—which alone exposes reality, cuts through deception, and discerns true motives (Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 19:15); the warning echoes Jesus' own words to beware that the light we think we have is not actually darkness (Luke 11:35), calling believers to examine whether their lives truly align with Scripture or have subtly adapted to the world, because only the Word of God can rightly judge where we dwell, whom we are faithful to, and whether we remain loyal to Christ as His bride in the midst of a hostile and seductive culture.

The last book of the Bible opens with a vision. It's not a vision of judgment meant for explaining at a prophecy conference. It's a vision of the Sovereign Savior meant for sustaining churches, ordinary local churches like Ephesus, Thyatira, Pergamum, Laodicea, and even Heritage Bible Church. After an opening greeting of grace, a colossal vision of a cosmic Christ comes at us in Revelation 1. And that is no accident. More than anything else, we must see Jesus. In Revelation 1:8–20, God provides a surprising vision to sustain us in our work and witness. Here is a vision of Christ to sustain the work for Christ. Listen to this sermon by Brad Baugham, lead pastor at Emmanuel Bible Church in Mauldin.

_Dear friends, please bear with us as we encountered some audio issues during this episode. We're grateful for your patience and thank you for tuning in! _ In this episode, Fr. John and Mary continue their series on Jesus' words to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation. Today, they look at Jesus' words to the Church in Pergamum and His challenge to them and to us to repent of those places in our lives where we have served two masters. Connect with us and our community on our websites and social media. Or simply reach us via email at [mission@actsxxix.org](mailto: mission@actsxxix.org) ACTS XXIX - Mobilizing for Mission Web: https://www.actsxxix.org Instagram: @acts.xxix Facebook: @ACTSXXIXmission The Rescue Project Web: https://rescueproject.us Instagram: @the.rescue.project Our Streaming Channels Web: https://watch.actsxxix.org/browse YouTube: @actsxxix (https://youtube.com/actsxxix)

To get a copy of our new book "Embracing the Truth" or to have TS Wright speak at your event or conference or if you simply want spiritual or life coaching or just a consultation visit:www.tswrightspeaks.comVisit our website to learn more about The God Centered Concept. The God Centered Concept is designed to bring real discipleship and spreading the Gospel to help spark the Great Harvest, a revival in this generation.www.godcenteredconcept.comKingdom Cross Roads Podcast is a part of The God Centered Concept.TS Wright Speaks: Church in Pergamum Revelation 2:12-17Introduction: In the third chapter of Revelation, we encounter the Church in Pergamum, a community grappling with the challenges of faith amid a culture steeped in idolatry and immorality. This podcast episode dives deep into the lessons Jesus imparts to this church, offering timeless wisdom that resonates with believers today.Main Content: **The Context of Pergamum** The Church in Pergamum existed in a city notorious for its pagan worship and idol practices, symbolized by the phrase "where the throne of Satan sits." TS Wright highlights that this church was located right in the midst of spiritual warfare, a battleground where faith and culture collided. Despite the overwhelming presence of evil, members of the church held fast to their faith, demonstrating remarkable courage and commitment.**Commendation for Faithfulness** Jesus begins His message with commendation, acknowledging the church's perseverance even in the face of persecution. TS Wright points out the significance of this acknowledgment, especially regarding Antipas, a faithful witness who was killed for his beliefs. This serves as a powerful reminder that true faith often requires sacrifice, and believers today must also hold fast to their convictions despite cultural pressures.**Warnings Against Compromise** However, the message is not solely one of encouragement. Jesus issues a stern warning against those in the church who have adopted the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, practices that led to idolatry and sexual immorality. TS Wright emphasizes that just as the early church faced temptations to conform to cultural norms, modern believers must also guard against the subtle ways in which culture can infiltrate their faith. He urges listeners to recognize the importance of living a life that is set apart, above the moral compromises prevalent in society.**The Call to Repentance** A key theme in this message is the call to repentance. TS Wright elucidates that repentance is a process, not just a one-time confession. It involves a deep heart transformation, turning away from sin, and taking active steps towards obedience. He reminds believers that while the journey may be challenging, the promise of restoration and a new identity in Christ awaits those who repent. **Living Above Culture** In a world where cultural acceptance is often equated with success, TS Wright's insights challenge believers to prioritize their relationship with Jesus above all else. He discusses the dangers of becoming a "carnal Christian," attempting to blend faith with worldly ideologies. Instead, he encourages a commitment to living out the teachings of Christ, even when it comes at a personal cost. The podcast underscores the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between faith and culture, particularly in moments of conflict.Conclusion: The message to the Church in Pergamum serves as a timely reminder for contemporary believers to navigate their faith with courage and conviction. Key takeaways include the...