The Churches at Pergamos and Thyatira
INTRODUCTORY WORDS
We wish, by way of introduction, to set before you the various seven statements which occur in the Letters to the seven Churches.
1. In each case, the angel of the Church is addressed. It is "unto the angel of the Church of Ephesus"; "unto the angel of the Church in Smyrna"; "in Pergamos," etc. What is the significance of this reiteration? The word "angel" comes from the Greek word " angelo." It really means "messenger." Angels, to be sure, are messengers. But so also is the pastor of the church a messenger. In the first chapter of the Book of Revelation we read, "The seven stars are the angels of the seven Churches." These seven stars were held in the right hand of the Lord, and they were the messengers of God, the pastors, who were held responsible for the conduct of the Churches. The Lord addressed the angels, or the messengers, of the Churches, because it is at their hands that He requires the character and conduct of the various assemblies.
2. To each of the Churches the Lord says, "I know." This shows that He is watching over the churches. He knows exactly what they are doing. He looks from above and tries the reins of the hearts of His people. In His description in the first chapter of Revelation, as He walks in the midst of the Church, we read, "And His eyes were as a flame of fire." There is nothing that is not naked and open to the One with whom we have to do.
3. In each of the Churches is a word of commendation. The Lord Jesus does not fail to see the good things. He not only sees them, but He records them.
4. In each of the Churches, the Lord is described in a most befitting way. To Ephesus, He is the One who holds the stars in His hands. To Smyrna, He is the First and the Last, the One who liveth and was dead. To Pergamos, He is the One with a sharp sword with two edges. To Thyatira, He is the One who has eyes like unto a flame of fire. To Sardis, He has the seven spirits of God. To Philadelphia, He is the holy and true, who has the key of David. To Laodicea, He is the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God.
5. There are the seven overcomers. In Ephesus, the overcomer is given to eat of the tree of life. In Smyrna, the overcomer shall not be hurt of the second death. The overcomer in Pergamos receives the hidden manna, and the white stone, with a new name written in it. In Thyatira, the overcomer Is given power over the nations to rule them with a rod of iron. The overcomer in Sardis is arrayed in white raiment, and is confessed before the Father and the angels. The overcomer in Philadelphia will be made a pillar in the Temple of his God. The overcomer in Laodicea will be given the privilege of sitting with Christ on His throne.
6. There are the seven warnings, with a call to repentance. Ephesus is called to repent and do her first works. Smyrna is called upon to be faithful unto death, retaining her position in spite of the persecutions which surrounded her. Pergamos is called to repent, or else the Lord will come upon her, and fight against her with the sword of His mouth. In Thyatira, the woman Jezebel was given space to repent, but she repented not. In Sardis, the Lord said, "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent." To Philadelphia, the word is, "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." To Laodicea it is written, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous, therefore, and repent."
7. There are seven calls to those who have an ear, to hear what the Spirit is saying unto the Churches. God does not want His Word of warning and of commendation to fall on dull ears. He wants people to hear and to heed what the Spirit saith.
I. THE GOOD IN PERGAMOS (Revelation 2:13)
1. "I know thy works." This same thing was said of the Churches at Ephesus and Smyrna. But here is something different in the line of works. Here are works under the most trying and difficult circumstances. There are some people who will work for the Lord Jesus Christ when working is popular, when working brings forth immediate results. Smyrna, however, worked for God in the midst of tribulation and poverty. Pergamos worked for God where Satan's seat was. That is not an environment conducive to Christian service.
2. "I know * * where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is." Milton describes the devil as being in hell, writhing in fury. He is plying his wicked works down there. The Bible, however, tells us that he is the prince of the power of the air. He is not yet cast into the pit of the abyss. His realm is in the Heavenlies, although, according to this verse, he had headquarters in Pergamos. That was his seat. It was from there that he operated, and the Church at Pergamos was, beyond doubt, the center of his attack.
3. "I know * * thou boldest fast My Name." Here is a wonderful statement. The Names of the Lord Jesus stand for His character. They were holding those Names fast. They held fast to the Name "only begotten Son." They held fast to the Name "Jesus," which means the Saviour from sin. They held fast to the Name "Lord," which meant the displanting of Satan's authority, and the acknowledgment of Christ's supreme power and rule. They held fast to the Name "Christ," the Anointed of God.
4. "I know" that thou "hast not denied My faith." Here is another remarkable statement. God is discovering in Pergamos certain vital characteristics which He did not find in Ephesus or in Smyrna. In the days when Antipas was His martyr, the saints at Pergamos did not deny the faith. They were not all martyrs in fact, but they were martyrs in spirit. They held fast Christ's Name, and they also held fast to the faith which is in Him, even when they were threatened with death. They held fast to the faith, even when Satan, who dwelt in their midst, was slaying their comrades. God give us more Christians like this, who can say, "I shall not be moved." These good things in Pergamos are certainly needed in the churches of today. Let us take our stand with the saints of old, and be unmoved by any and every wind which blows.
II. THE EVIL AT PERGAMOS (Revelation 2:14-15)
There are two things which the Spirit had against the Church at Pergamos. God called them "a few things." Let us see what these things were, and examine into the depth of these "few things."
1. They had them there that held the doctrine of Balaam. We are more or less familiar with the doctrine of Balaam. The Bible talks of Balaam's way, and of the error of Balaam, and of the doctrine of Balaam. Let us look at these one at a time. First, The way of Balaam was the way of least resistance. It was the way which goes against the voice of the angel, and the warning of God, and follows after the rewards of the world, and its honors and fame.
Balaam was told not to go to Balak, but he went. He was warned by the ass which spoke, and then he said to God, "If it displease Thee, I will get me back again"; but God knew that his heart was set on going. It was the large gift of money and of raiment and of preferment that pulled Balaam over into the land of the Moabites.
Again we have the error of Balaam. It was this that led him on to live after the things of the flesh instead of the Spirit; to lay up for himself money on earth instead of true riches in Heaven; to set his affection on things beneath and not on things above. Balaam lived for the things which are seen, and not for the things which cannot be seen, for the temporal instead of for the eternal, for the carnal instead of the spiritual. Are there any of us who fall into this error for reward? We lay up treasures on earth where the moth corrupts, and the thieves break through and steal.
Third, There is the teaching of Balaam, Balaam taught Balak how he could cause God to curse Israel. He said, literally, "If you will marry your sons to their daughters, and take their sons for your daughters, God will curse them."
God would not allow Balaam to curse Israel, but Balaam well knew that if he could join hands with the devil, and cause Israel to commit fornication, in world mixing, that God Himself would send the judgment and the curse.
This teaching or doctrine of Balaam, is what the Lord had discovered in the Church at Pergamos. They had in their fellowship certain men who were walking in the ways of Balaam, who taught Israel to sin.
2. Thou hast "them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate." This was treated under the Church at Ephesus.
III. THE WARNING (Revelation 2:16)
1. "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly." The word "repent" includes a turning away from the old attitude, and the taking of the new life in Christ. The word suggests a reversal of opinion, as well as of action. The things which I once loved, I now hate. The Lord Jesus is calling upon the Church at Pergamos to repudiate the doctrine of Balaam, and the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes.
2. "And [I] will fight against them with the Sword of my mouth." We may say what we wish, and act as we will; however, if our churches do not take their stand against the doctrine which taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the Children of Israel, and unless they take their stand against the clergy dominating the laity, God is going to fight against them with the Sword of His mouth.
There is a good deal in this Book about the Sword of His mouth. We all know what that Sword is. It is the Word of God. When that Word is sounded forth, it will judge us of what manner of men we are. Where is he who would like for God to fight against him? Where is the church that would want the Lord to fight against her?
This is a terrible statement, and yet it is true; "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men"; "for our God is a consuming Fire." Again it is written; "The Lord shall judge the people."
Think you that we can live as we list, and walk in the ways of the world, without judgment falling upon us?
IV. THE GOOD THINGS AT THYATIRA (Revelation 2:19)
1. "I know thy works." This expression occurs twice in the message to Thyatira. They evidently were filled with works, and works are not to be despised. It is written, "Created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." We can do nothing to become saved, but when we are saved we should do everything to serve Him.
We are saved by grace through faith, but we are saved unto good works. The truth is that if you show us a person who has faith, we will show you a person who has works. The two are inseparably linked, and cannot be separated. Thus we take it that the Church at Thyatira, having their works twice stressed, certainly were saved people.
2. "I know thy * * charity." "Charity" is the kindness of God made manifest in them. It was no doubt love one to another; but love also to God. Even the Church in Ephesus lacked the full expression of this first love to God. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren"; "Every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." God is always looking for the heart throbs of love within us.
3. "I know thy * * service." What is the difference between service and works? Perhaps works were, toward God, but service was in behalf of their fellow men. The Bible says that we are to serve one another, and when we do this, we serve God.
4. "I know thy faith." Here is something that is worth considering. "I know thy works," "thy charity, (love)," "thy service," and now "thy faith." These saints believed God. They were fighting the good fight of faith. They were faithful unto Him who had called them.
5. "I know thy * * patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first." So the Church at Thyatira was not slipping away. They were abounding more and more in all these manifestations of the grace of God, which He had wrought in them. They were not larger when they were born, as children of God, than they were afterward. They were growing in the knowledge of Christ, and in service for Him. They were increasing more and more. Here is the standard of every true believer.
V. THE BAD THINGS AT THYATIRA (Revelation 2:20-22)
1. After having read so many good things relative to the Church saints at Thyatira, it seems too bad that the picture must be partially spoiled. There were some bad things there. Here is what the Lord had against the Church in Thyatira: "Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols."
The Church itself did not walk with Jezebel. They would not have done what Jezebel did. However, they suffered Jezebel to teach, and to seduce God's servants.
It was to the Church at Pergamos that the Lord said, "Thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam." In Thyatira, they went so far as to suffer that woman Jezebel to seduce God's servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Jezebel was the wife of Ahab. She was the woman who brought in the prophets of Baal, displacing the true Prophets of God. These prophets did exactly the things which are spoken here. It was for this reason that God called this interloper in Thyatira, Jezebel, She professed to be a prophetess, and she came in as a teacher.
God had given this woman space to repent, but she had repented not. Therefore He pronounced a great judgment against her, with untold tribulation. He would cast her into tribulation, and all those who followed with her. He would kill her children with death. It is an evil thing and bitter when we forsake the Living God. It is especially so when, like Thyatira, we have works and love and service and faith and patience, and yet, withal, suffer a Jezebel to teach and to seduce true saints.
VI. THE JUST JUDGE (Revelation 2:23-25)
1. Jesus Christ is not only the head of the Church, but He is also her Judge. In Revelation 2:23 we read, "I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts." This reminds us of the 139th Psalm, where it is written, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me." Yes, God is the One who judges His Church.
2. Jesus Christ will judge every one according to his works. That is the closing statement of Revelation 2:23. That is also the statement of many verses of Scripture.
In Romans 14:10, we read, "Why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and. every tongue shall confess to God." It is still true that every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.
Again it is written, in 2 Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." Then 2 Corinthians 5:11 says, "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." In Colossians 3:23-25 it is written. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done," In Revelation 22:12 it gives the great climactic on reward: "Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
All the Scriptures above are in line with the passage spoken to the Church at Thyatira: "I will give unto every one of you according to your works." It behooves us who are members of various churches scattered throughout the world, to remember these things. God is going to judge us, and reward us according to our works, whether they be good or bad. If we have been like Jezebel, seducing the servants of God, He will judge us with judgments of fire.
VII. THE OVERCOMERS AT PERGAMOS AND AT THYATIRA (Revelation 2:17; Revelation 2:26-27)
It will be interesting to observe God's rewards to the overcomers in these two churches, which we have just discussed.
1. The rewards to the overcomers in Pergamos. Let us remember as we study this theme that Pergamos was a Church where God held over it His sharp and two-edged sword. It was a Church where Satan's seat was, and yet, in that place wherein Antipas was a faithful martyr, God had a group of saints who had not denied the faith. To be sure, the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes were protected in the church, and they were allowed sway. Nevertheless, God knew that He had His faithful and His true ones there.
Let none of us ever think that we are the only ones who are standing true and faithful. Elijah said, "I, even I only, am left." God, however, immediately said, (literally) "There are seven thousand in Israel who have not bowed the knee to Baal!"
Here is the promise to the overcomer in so difficult a situation as that which confronted the saints at Pergamos: "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."
In studying the overcomers in Revelation 2:1-29 and Revelation 3:1-22, we find that the greater the test, the greater the reward to those who overcome. How wonderful it will be to eat of the hidden manna! We must remember that Christ Himself is the manna that came down from Heaven, and to eat of the hidden manna must express some very definite and intimate relationship to the Lord Jesus who is the Bread of Life.
The white stone, and the new name, is a signet of special recognition and honor. Such shall belong to those who overcome in the midst of the churches which are patterned after the order of Pergamos.
2. To the Church at Thyatira were special rewards. "He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father."
The second Psalm placed this power into the hands of the Lord. The Lord now promises to share the authority of His rule with the saints in Thyatira, who would stand against the wicked woman, Jezebel, and who had not known the depths of Satan.
Let those of the saved hold fast that they have, until He comes,
AN ILLUSTRATION
Thinking of Balaam's going after Balak's gold, reminds us of the following:
When Rowland Hill was going down a street one day he saw a number of pigs following a man. "This," says Hill, "excited my curiosity so much that I determined to follow. I did so; and, to my great surprise, I saw them follow him to the slaughterhouse. I said to the man; 'My friend, how did you induce the pigs to follow you here?' He replied, 'I had a basket of beans under my arm, and I dropped a few as I came along, and so they followed me.' And so it is," added Hill, "that Satan has the beans of pleasure, lust, passion, folly, and sins innumerable and unnameable in his basket; he drops them as he goes along, and what multitudes he induces to follow him to an everlasting slaughterhouse!" Be not, therefore, led captive by him who goeth about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).