Revelation - Chapter Two
Pergamos - The Faltering Church
The
Church at Pergamos was seduce
d
to focus on a pre-occupation for
self-preservation by virtue of
compromise. Instead of separating
from false doctrine, they tolerated it.
The result was an inability to produce
the fruit of the Spirit.
Fortunately, there were faithful
believers in the midst of this
congregation. However, their
influence was not enough to sustain the
church.
I.
The Fruitful Minority - vs.12,13
II.
The Faith-Less Majority - vs.14,15
-
Balaam: vs.14 A Seduction For
Conformity To The World - Their
teaching was to induce a relaxing of
separation.
-
Nicolatans - vs.15 Their
teaching reduced the equality
amongst believers while diminishing
the headship of Christ. This
was done by defiling the mind of the
believers with a sense of not being
complete or adequate in Christ, or
rather, Christ is not adequate
alone... thus, creating a mindset of
"works for salvation, and/or
Lordship
Sanctification."
It is no wonder why Christ said:
"...which thing I hate."
This is not an uncommon practice in
Churches today, especially amongst
Churches that exalt bishops, priest,
and pastors as superior to laity and
fellow believers. This is a
very dangerous pattern.
III.
The Faithful Master - vs.16,17
-
Christ Enlist His Followers - vs.16a
...Repent...
-
Christ Engages His Foe - vs.16b
...against them...
-
The
Power To Win - vs.17a ...hear
what the Spirit... The
only way to win as a Christians is
by faith which comes by hearing the
Word of God.
-
The
Potential To Win - vs.17b ...him
that overcometh...
-
The
Promise In Winning - vs.17c
...will I give...
The Church at
Pergamos was in need of revival.
What are the flames of revival? First
and foremost, it is the greatness
of God (Isaiah
6:1). It took a Great God to save
and it takes a Great God to sanctify (Exodus
14:13). Secondly, it is the
Grace of God (Isaiah
6:7). The Grace of God is Himself
our sufficiency and wholeness. Finally,
and of no less importance, the flames of
revival will always include the very
Groaning Of God (Isaiah
6:8). The groan of God is the very
gospel of Christ. Just as sure as
redemption is by the cross;
revival is nigh the cross.
Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger
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