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Pergamos
(The Church in Hell’s Headquarters)
Text: Revelation 2:12–17
Introduction
Revelation 2:12–17 records Christ’s searching letter to
Pergamos, a church standing for the truth in a city
saturated with idolatry and emperor worship. Here the Lord,
“He who has the sharp two-edged sword,” calls His people to
courageous fidelity, firm discipline, and repentant hearts
under His all-seeing gaze.
The
City and Its Pressures
Pergamos—whose name means “citadel”—rose upon a rocky hill
fifty-five to sixty miles north of Smyrna. It was renowned
for scholarship, boasting a great library second only to
Alexandria, and for innovation, lending its name to
parchment. It was also notorious for religion steeped in
idols: the massive altar of Zeus, the imperial cult, and the
cult of Aesculapius, the so-called god of healing,
symbolized by the serpent wound about the staff. In such a
place the church’s daily life unfolded beneath a skyline of
shrines, processions, and civic pride in pagan rites. Christ
describes the city as the place “where Satan’s throne is,”
because powers, practices, and prestige enthroned the
adversary in public life (Revelation 2:13).
The
Christ Who Speaks with the Sword
The Lord identifies Himself as the One with “the sharp
two-edged sword” (Revelation 2:12). His sword is His
Word—living, active, and piercing to the thoughts and
intents of the heart (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). His
kingdom advances not by carnal weapons, but by truth that
casts down strongholds and brings every thought captive to
His will (2 Corinthians 10:4). No altar of Zeus, no imperial
decree, and no fashionable philosophy can resist His voice.
Commended for Courageous Fidelity
Christ knows their works and their address. They held fast
His name and did not deny the faith even when the pressure
turned deadly. Antipas, Christ’s “faithful witness,” was
killed among them (Revelation 2:13). The Lord sees every act
of loyalty offered in a hard place. He honors perseverance
that continues in the faith, grounded and steadfast
(Colossians 1:22–23).
Confronted for Tolerating Corruption
Yet the Lord has a few things against them. Some in Pergamos
held teaching that enticed believers into compromise. The
“doctrine of Balaam” mirrors the ancient prophet who led
Israel into idolatry and immorality by seduction and
feasting (2 Peter 2:15–16, 18). Others held the teaching of
the Nicolaitans, a permissive way that excused wickedness.
The sin did not rest only in the teachers; it lay also in
the congregation’s tolerance. The church must mark and avoid
those who cause divisions contrary to the doctrine and
reprove works of darkness (Romans 16:17–18; Ephesians 5:11).
Christ calls His people to separation from defilement so
they may be His holy temple (2 Corinthians 6:14–18).
The
Call to Repent and the Lord’s Discipline
The remedy is plain: repent (Revelation 2:16). Those who
welcome and shelter false doctrine share in its deeds (2
John 9–11). Where discipline is neglected, souls are
endangered; where discipline is practiced, sinners may be
restored and the church kept pure (1 Corinthians 5:4–5).
Christ warns that if they refuse repentance, He will come
quickly and fight against the offenders with the sword of
His mouth. His Word will expose, judge, and remove whatever
threatens His people.
The
Promises to the Overcomer
To the one who overcomes, the Lord promises “hidden manna,”
the true food from God that sustains covenant life and
fellowship at His table (Revelation 2:17; John 6:32–35). He
promises a “white stone,” a token of acquittal and
acceptance, and upon it “a new name” known to the receiver—a
pledge of personal welcome, vindication, and identity in
Christ. Faith conquers the world, and those who overcome
through faith receive the crown and the feast (1 John
5:4–5).
Call to Action
Plant your feet where Christ has placed you and hold fast
His name. Ask the Lord to search your heart by His Word.
Refuse the flattery of permissive teaching and separate from
sin that seeks a home in the church. Practice loving,
biblical discipline for the saving of souls. Repent wherever
compromise has crept in, and walk toward the hidden manna
and the white stone promised by the Lord.
Key
Takeaways
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Christ’s Word is the sharp two-edged sword that searches
and conquers (Revelation 2:12; Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians
6:17).
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Faithfulness is seen and honored even “where Satan
dwells” (Revelation 2:13; Colossians 1:22–23).
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Tolerating false teaching shares in its deeds; the
church must reprove and separate from darkness (Romans
16:17–18; Ephesians 5:11; 2 John 9–11; 2 Corinthians
6:14–18).
-
Christ commands repentance and exercises holy discipline
for the church’s purity (Revelation 2:16; 1 Corinthians
5:4–5).
-
Overcomers receive hidden manna, a white stone, and a
new name—signs of fellowship, acquittal, and promised
identity (Revelation 2:17; 1 John 5:4–5).
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Sermon Outline: Pergamos (The Church in Hell’s Headquarters)
Sermon Outline:
-
Thesis:
The risen Lord walks among His churches with the sword
of His Word, commending steadfast faith, condemning
tolerated error, commanding repentance, and promising
rich reward to those who overcome.
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The City and the Setting
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The Christ with the Sword
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Commendation for Fidelity
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Condemnation of Tolerated Error
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Doctrine of Balaam and deeds of the Nicolaitans:
idolatry and immorality (Revelation 2:14–15; 2 Peter
2:15–16, 18).
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Duty to expose and separate (Romans 16:17–18;
Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18; 2 John 9–11).
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Repentance and Discipline
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Promises to Overcomers
Scripture Reference List
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Revelation 2:12–17 — Christ’s letter to Pergamos; sword,
commendation, rebuke, promises.
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Hebrews 4:12 — God’s Word is living, active, and
discerning.
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Ephesians 6:17 — The sword of the Spirit is the Word of
God.
-
2
Corinthians 10:4 — Weapons of our warfare are mighty
through God.
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Colossians 1:22–23 — Continue in the faith, grounded and
steadfast.
-
2
Peter 2:15–16, 18 — Balaam’s enticement and the lure
into corruption.
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Romans 16:17–18 — Mark and avoid divisive teaching.
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Ephesians 5:11 — Have no fellowship with unfruitful
works of darkness.
-
2
Corinthians 6:14–18 — Come out and be separate; God’s
people as His temple.
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2
John 9–11 — Do not receive those who do not abide in
Christ’s doctrine.
-
1
Corinthians 5:4–5 — Congregational discipline for the
saving of the sinner.
-
1
John 5:4–5 — Faith overcomes the world.
-
John
6:32–35 — Christ, the true bread from heaven, sustains
His people.
Prepared
by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO |
The
church of Christ
