The Church at Pergamum!“And to the angel of the church in

Pergamum write: The words of Him who has the sharp two-edged sword!”

(Rev. 2:12)

The city of Pergamum/os:✢It was the capital city of Asia

Minor. Making it a political power and a very intellectual city.✢Many claim that paper was

invented here, parchment. ✢There was a 200,000 volume

famous library here. Said to have been stolen by Mark Anthony & given to Cleopatra

There is a lot of legend surrounding this city so it is a bit hard to know what is fact or fiction.✢Trying to find the historical

facts can be a bit challenging, but there are a number of things we can know for sure and we want to focus on them!

I. A Word of Commendation!Commendation = recognition for a job well

done; praise (Oxford)✢Jesus knowing all things, has

first hand knowledge of them!✢“I know your works” (Rev. 2:13)✢See also (Rev. 2:1, 9, 19; 3:1,8 and 15)✢Jesus begins by commending

what they are doing right!✢This is the same approach found in His

words to Ephesus (Rev. 2:2-3, 6)

Jesus know where they are “seat of Satan” what they are doing “holding to His

name, not denying the faith”✢Their situation:

✢Jesus is aware of what is going on in their lives! Just as He is aware of our lives!✢Their steadfastness:✢“They hold fast His name!” ✢Their sacrifices:✢Their stand for Jesus had been costly!

II. A Word of Confrontation!Confrontation = a face to face meeting where

one opposes another; conflict; disagreement (Oxford)

✢It is interesting that Jesus see this congregation both as a whole & and as each member being a part.✢In Ephesus the whole

congregation is said to have lost the love, but here it is only “some” of them, yet all where putting up with it! (2 Jn. 1:9-11)

With God it has always been all or nothing!✢We can not hold both to the Word

and to the world! (See Js. 4:4)✢“The teaching of Balaam, who

taught Balak”✢We can read the store of these two in (Num.

22-25) ending in idolatry!✢Balak wanted to curse Israel, but he failed at

cursing them so he corrupts them!✢Balaam* wickedness & worldliness

III. A Word of Consolation!Consolation: comfort received after a loss;

comfort in a time of suffering (Oxford) ✢Special Provisions!✢What is the best food found in the Bible?✢Spiritual manna! (Cf. Jn. 6:22-51)✢Special Privileges!✢A new degree “a white stone” fully free!✢A new designation “a new name” ✢“No longer shall your name be

called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham” (Gen. 17:5)

The Bible speaks a great deal about the

importance of a “new” name!✢Many people in the Bible had

their names changed by God to identify then as “now” belonging to God! ✢“I will write on him, the name of

my God, the name of the city of God, my own new name!”✢Rev. 3:12

Conclusion:✢There is a need for us to stand

strong on the Word, but also apart from the world!✢Have you come to receive a

new name by Jesus? Are you living up to your new name? If not then today is the day to get back on track!✢In a day when so many are

abandoning the path, let’s stay the course & be committed!