Podcasts about pergamum

In this message, Samuel Goulet continues The Mountain Church's study of the seven churches in Revelation by focusing on Pergamum, Sardis, and Philadelphia. He calls the church to reject compromise, wake up from spiritual apathy, and step into the authority God gives His people through His Word and Spirit. With practical encouragement for families, church community, and personal discipleship, Samuel challenges listeners to live awake, repentant, and spiritually engaged—holding fast to faith, resisting the enemy, and trusting God to restore strength, purity, and authority where it is needed most.

Continuing in The Ultimate Listening Experience, Pastor Keith preaches from Jesus' letter to the church in Pergamum. From this passage, we are called to reject sinful lifestyles, repent from them, and trust Jesus to strengthen us for victory in moments of temptation. 

July 26, 2026 -  guest speaker Pastor Samuel Lee brought a powerful message from Revelation 2:12–17, reminding us that while faithfulness may withstand persecution, we must also guard against the subtle compromises that pull us away from Christ. Through His powerful, life-giving Word, Christ calls His people to reject the subtle seductions of the world, repent of idolatry and compromise, and faithfully obey His truth. As we remain steadfast in His name and His Word, He promises His sustaining presence today and eternal reward to those who overcome.

Pastor Josh Oh

The church at Pergamum never denied Christ publicly. They never abandoned worship. But Jesus still had one complaint: they were tolerating compromise from within. In this message from Revelation 2:12-17, Pastor Anitonio Rotimi shows why small compromises become big defeat, how obedience doesn't exempt you from storms, and why delayed repentance is its own quiet form of surrender. If you've ever excused something small because addressing it felt inconvenient, this message is for you.

Christ's letter to the church in Pergamum is both a powerful commendation and a solemn warning. Living where "Satan's throne" was, the believers courageously held fast to Christ's name even in the face of persecution and martyrdom. Yet the Lord rebuked them for tolerating false teaching and moral compromise within the church. This sermon calls Christians to stand boldly for the truth, reject compromise, guard the purity of Christ's church through biblical faithfulness, and rest in the glorious promises reserved for all who overcome by His grace.

Berris Patience

The sermon analyzes the message to the church in Pergamum, depicting Jesus advancing with a two-edged sword against Satan's throne while simultaneously protecting His people. It highlights the believers' tenacious faith despite living in a hostile spiritual environment and warns against internal compromises like the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. The preacher emphasizes that the Gospel alone is sufficient to dismantle darkness and defeat adversarial forces without reliance on worldly power. Finally, the message offers hope through the promise of divine sustenance and intimate fellowship with God for those who overcome. This vision encourages the church to remain faithful, focused on Scripture, and anchored in the glory of the future kingdom.

The sermon analyzes the message to the church in Pergamum, depicting Jesus advancing with a two-edged sword against Satan's throne while simultaneously protecting His people. It highlights the believers' tenacious faith despite living in a hostile spiritual environment and warns against internal compromises like the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. The preacher emphasizes that the Gospel alone is sufficient to dismantle darkness and defeat adversarial forces without reliance on worldly power. Finally, the message offers hope through the promise of divine sustenance and intimate fellowship with God for those who overcome. This vision encourages the church to remain faithful, focused on Scripture, and anchored in the glory of the future kingdom.

Passage: Revelation 2:12-17 Date: 26 July 2026 Speaker: Annes Nel Summary: In the city of Pergamum, early Christians faced immense pressure to conform to a culture steeped in paganism and emperor worship. Yet, their commitment to Jesus came at a cost, as they were often marginalized and persecuted. This passage reminds us that true faith is not about comfort or popularity, but about standing firm in our identity as followers of Christ, even when the world offers tempting alternatives. Links: Church Website Watch on YouTube Contact Us

Revelation 2:12-17

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/

Revelation 2:12-17 As Jesus commends, convicts, and condemns the various churches of Asia Minor (western Turkey), he comes to Pergamum, a city high on the coast, a city steeped in paganism. The lessons of that church 2000 years ago are fresh for us today. We must continue to hold fast to Christ in faith despite intense persecution. And we must be wary of false teachers who will lead us on the slippery slope of immorality and idolatry. Jesus' promises of blessing and judgment for those who hear and those who do not should cause us to take note. Keith Pond explains.

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 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!

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 MailNoteshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1aP4K0lm0RNXkjKGx0H-JuyOiJmoEQym2/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=100334557285826442166&rtpof=true&sd=true

Every day, we find ourselves battling between two choices: Walking the path of faithfulness, or giving in to compromise. The challenge is that faithfulness is often difficult, and compromise can look very appealing. In the times we face such battles, Jesus has some important words for us. Let's find out what they are, here, on Foreshadows Report!Learn more about Steve and his books at https://SteveMillerResources.comProduced by Unmutable™

‘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.

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.

Small compromises rarely announce themselves. They creep in slowly, a little silence here, a half step there, until the line between your faith and the culture around you becomes hard to see. The church at Pergamum stayed loyal to Christ in one of the most spiritually hostile cities in the ancient world, but even they let something dangerous take root. What areas of your life might be drifting without you even realizing it? 

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

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.

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

In a city defined by Roman imperial power and the worship of emperors, the church at Pergamum faced a subtle and dangerous drift—not outright rejection of Christ, but a slow slide into idolatry. Drawing from Revelation 2 and the strange, comedic, and sobering Old Testament story of Balaam and Balak, this message explores how compromise creeps in through culture rather than conquest. Jesus' words to Pergamum carry a sharp edge of correction—and a surprising promise of intimate restoration for those who return to him.

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...

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**