June 29, 2021

The Church at Pergumum

Speaker: Noah Hartmetz Series: Revelation Scripture: Revelation 2:12–17

Review

  • (1:9-20) Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, is the Sovereign and the Hope of His churches

  • (2:1-7) Ephesus: Loveless Orthodoxy

    • Commends faithful endurance in the true faith

    • Commands repentance for failure to love God and people

    • Truth and love are interdependent (cf. Eph 4:14-16)

    • Beware of being “Christian-ish”

  • (2:8-11) Smyrna: Persecution

    • Remain faithful in present afflictions in view of future reward

    • Prepare now for future affliction

    • Live today according to eternal life

(2:12-17) Pergamum: False Teaching from the Outside Allowed Access to the Church

1B. (2:12) Introduction: Sharp two-edged sword (authority to pronounce judgment; cf. Isa 11:4)

2B. (2:13-15) Knowledge of the church’s condition

1C. (2:13) Commendation: Faithful in the midst of extreme opposition

2C. (2:14-15) Rebuke: Toleration of idolatrous teaching

On Balaam and the product of his teaching, see 2 Pet 2:13-15

3B. (2:16) Exhortation: Repent or face judgment

4B. (2:17a) Command for churches to hear the Spirit’s message

5B. (2:17b) Promises to the overcomer

1C. “Overcomer”: cf. 1 John 5:4––i.e., the true believer. Therefore, the rewards promised to “overcomers” are rewards for all genuine believers.

2C. “Hidden manna”: Provision of everything needed for life in the New Heavens and New Earth (Rev 7:16-17; note link to Exodus).

3C. “White stone… (qualitatively) new name… written on the stone”: Personal “admission pass” to the great future Messianic feast (cf. Rev 19:9), with personal identification of transformation in the New Heavens and New Earth.

other sermons in this series

Jan 15

2023

Jan 8

2023

The Vision of the Holy and Heavenly City – Part 1

Speaker: Noah Hartmetz Scripture: Revelation 21:9–27 Series: Revelation

Dec 18

2022

Judging the Old, Creating the New

Speaker: Noah Hartmetz Scripture: Revelation 20:11– 21:8 Series: Revelation