Lesson 8 Book of the Revelation

Transcription

1 Lesson 8 Book of the Revelation The last verse of Revelation chapter one speaks of a promise to explain the mystery of the seven churches and the seven lampstands. Rev 1:20 2. The historical trends of the church on earth and the fact that the age of the church is a dead spot as far as prophecy is concerned is established in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Last week we studied the church at Smyrna. When time expired we were analyzing what John had to say of the church at Pergamos. 3. I want to review some of that learned and then begin new material on page four. Let s begin our review with an expanded translation of Rev 2:8-11. Smyrna Rev 2:8-11 Expanded Translation Rev 2:8 To the pastor of the church in Smyrna I want you to write these things: "This is what the Alpha and the Omega, He Who lived incarnate and at the end of His work chose to die; this One, the Lord Jesus Christ, has this to say to the pastor and his congregation meeting at Smyrna:" Rev 2:9 "I am well aware of your suffering, particularly your poverty, (but you are rich spiritually) and I know also of the blasphemy and hypocrisy of those who say they are spiritual Jews but are not, I know these unbelieving Jews; these are they who are now in league with Satan. Rev 2:10 Stop being afraid, do not fear what might happen for soon Roman authorities under the influence of the devil are going to place some of you in prison; all of this is designed under the permissive will of God to try your faith. The trials will last only a short time and if you are faithful and continue to function in the faith even while suffering I will see to it that you receive at the Bema a crown of life." Rev 2:11 He that has an ear let him listen and concentrate on what the Spirit has to say to the church at Smyrna. He that overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. 4. Now let's return to our study of the local assembly located at Pergamos. Pergamos The Scriptures relating to Pergamos are: Rev 2:12-17 NIV Rev 2:12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. Rev 2:13 I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives. 1

2 Rev 2:14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Rev 2:15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Rev 2:16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Rev 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. 2. Pergamos as we have seen means "Thoroughly Married" and covers the period of the universal church from 300 to 800 A.D. 2.1 Pergamos is located some 70 miles north of Smyrna. 3. "Thoroughly Married" refers to the marriage of the Christian church to the global pagan church. In c. 300 Constantine the Great became Emperor of Rome and ruled over the pagan pantheon - an idolatrous global church. 4. The Grolier Encyclopedia has the following to say of Constantine the first Roman Emperor to openly become a Christian and make Church and State one and the same. 4.1 "Constantine the Great, was the first Roman emperor to adopt Christianity... Constantine's military victory outside Rome... secured his new government... The arch commissioned by the Senate in Rome to mark his victory bears an inscription that attributes Constantine's success to the "prompting of a deity." The Senate undoubtedly had in mind a pagan deity,... Constantine however had in mind the God of the Christians. The nature of Constantine's conversion to Christianity has long been a matter of dispute--primarily because the sources, all of them Christian, offer conflicting testimony. 2

3 The outlines of his religious development, however, are clear enough. Before c. 312, Constantine seems to have been a tolerant pagan, willing to accumulate heavenly patrons but not committed to any one deity. Between c. 312 and c. 324 he gradually adopted the Christian God as his protector and on several occasions granted special privileges to individual churches and bishops." 5. Dr. Dwight Pentecost in his book "Things to Come", Dunham Publishing Company has the following to say about the pagan gods worshiped at the time of Constantine. I shall quote in part from last week s lesson. The mystery religion that was there originated spread in various form throughout the whole earth... and shall have its fullest development when the Holy Spirit has departed and the Babylon of the Apocalypse holds sway. The rites of this worship were secret... It was Satan's effort to delude mankind with an imitation so like the truth of God that they would not know the true Seed of the woman when He came in the fullness of time... Linked with this central mystery were countless lesser mysteries... Among these were the doctrines of purgatorial purification after death, salvation by countless sacraments such as priestly absolution, sprinkling with holy water, the offering of round cakes to the queen of heaven as mentioned in the book of Jeremiah, dedication of virgins to the gods, which was literally sanctified prostitution... Semiramis who was said to have received her son back from the dead; for it was taught that Tammuz was slain by a wild boar and afterwards brought back to life. To him the egg was sacred, as depicting the mystery of his resurrection, even as the evergreen was his chosen symbol and was set up in honor of his birth at the winter solstice... The sign of the cross was sacred to Tammuz, as symbolizing the life giving principle and as the first letter of his name... it did not, as many have supposed, originate with Christianity... Eventually Rome became the headquarters of Babyloniaism. When Julius Caesar... became the head of the state, he was elected Pontifex Maximus, and this title was held henceforth by all the Roman Emperors down to Constantine the Great, who was at one and the same time head of the church and high priest of the heathen!..." 5.1 Constantine in my view has taken too much heat for what ensued. Perhaps a review of Bruce Shelley s church history would be helpful. In the spring of 312, Constantine, the son of Constantius Chlorus, advanced across the Alps to dislodge his rival Maxentius from Italy and to capture Rome. It was a daring gamble; and when he came upon his militarily superior enemy at the Milvian Bridge, just outside the walls of Rome, he turned for help to the God of the Christians. In a dream he saw a cross in the sky and the words, In this sign conquer. This convinced him to advance. When on 28 October 312 he achieved his brilliant victory over the troops of Maxentius, Constantine looked upon his success as proof of the power of Christ and the superiority of the Christian religion. 3

4 Some historians have considered Constantine s conversion a purely political maneuver. Plenty of paganism remained. He conspired; he murdered; he even retained his title Pontifex Maximus as head of the state religious cult. But a purely political conversion is hard to maintain in the light of his public and private actions. From the year 312, he favored Christianity openly. He allowed Christian ministers to enjoy the same exemption from taxes as the pagan priests; he abolished executions by crucifixion; he called a halt to the battles of gladiators as a punishment for crimes; and in 321 he made Sunday a public holiday. Thanks to his generosity, magnificent church buildings arose as evidence of his support of Christianity. This public Christianity was matched by changes in Constantine s private life. Making no secret of his Christian convictions, he had his sons and daughters brought up as Christians and led a Christian family life. Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia baptized him shortly before he died in 337. After his baptism, Constantine refused to wear again the imperial purple and thus left this life dressed in his white baptismal robes. 6. The Catholic Church and the early Church of England took many years to rid itself at least in part of the influences of the early idolatrous practices dominating the world at the time of Constantine's conversion. 7. Now let's see what we can glean from Rev 2:12-17 Rev 2:12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp double-edged sword. 1. The message to the church at Pergamos follows similarly that written to both Ephesus and Smyrna. 2. The message is written to the pastor. 3. Pergamos was one of the most prominent cities of Asia. 4. It was located north of Smyrna and about twenty miles from the Mediterranean Sea, it was a wealthy city with many temples devoted to idol worship, and full of sacred groves. 5. It was an important religious center where the pagan cults of Athena, Dionysus and Zeus were prominent. There was a large temple dedicated to the worship of Asklepios, a pagan god whose symbol was a serpent. 5.1 Many think the statement "Satan's seat" is a reference to the temple of the serpent god "Esculapius" as it was also known. 6. A small village is now located just below the ancient ruins and there has been there since the earliest of times a nominal Christian witness there. 4

5 7. There was a university located in Pergamos where one of Rome s largest libraries was located. The library had 200,000 books which were later sent to Egypt as a gift to Cleopatra. 8. Christ is said here to be the One "Who hath the sharp sword with two edges, a description given to Him earlier in Rev 1:16. Again it is not the Roman Machaira but rather it is the Romphaia - a two edged and sharp "broad sword. 9. The Romphaia was a long and usually heavy sword found most among barbarian soldiers but more often than not it was single sided and used commonly for executions. 10. Reference is made to this type sword first in Luke 2:35 where Simeon speaks to Mary the mother of Jesus; it is used to describe a sorrow which would pierce her soul; seemingly a reference to the sadness the cross would bring to her life. Luk 2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, Luk 2:35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." 10.1 It is also found in several other places in the Apocalypse, one of which we have already seen and analyzed in chapter one verse sixteen. Let's look at these other uses. Rev 2:15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Rev 2:16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Rev 6:7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" Rev 6:8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. Rev 19:15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. Rev 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, Rev 19:18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great." 5

6 Rev 19:19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. Rev 19:20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 11. The last two references when compared to the first reference would seem to indicate the sword refers to the Word of God spoken in judgment by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is said to proceed out from the mouth of Christ. 12. The Word of God is the means of condemnation for those who refuse God's grace plan for salvation but it is also the instrument of salvation for it cuts away the facade of selfrighteousness. 13. It also is an instrument which divided the nominal from the real Christian; especially pertinent to the church at Pergamos which according to the early church authors was full of "Christians" who were Christians in name only. 14. Now let's see what we can harvest from verse thirteen: Rev 2:13 I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives. 1. In verse 13 Christ extends a word of commendation. He first notes the fact that they were dwelling "where Satan's seat is." 2. Satan here is "Satana" meaning adversary or opponent. The mention of Satan's throne is referred to again at the end of the verse where the Greek is once more "Satana" 3. The phrase "where Satan dwelleth," is a reference to the satanic power in the evil religious character of the city of Pergamos with its many idols and temples. 4. Christ notes that in spite of their evil environment the church at Pergamos has held fast His "name" and His "faith. 5. Divine judgment no doubt takes into account the forces arrayed against us. Forces of suffering and temptations and the circumstances of such vary; we all have different problems both as to number and severity. In extending the problems attendant in Pergamos to the universal church of the second century, when Constantine began to rule, we find similarly numerous false doctrines developing like infant baptism, purgatory, buying blessings, worship of Mary, last rites, confession booths, the mortal sin of suicide, abstinence from certain foods etc. all of these and the more put pressure on the faithful to hold to "what the Bible said. 6

7 6. To those who hold to the Word of God as their foundation, commendation is all the more generous. The faithfulness of the church at Pergamos and the 2nd century church was no doubt just such a challenge. 7. We must today like these saints of old stand true even when engulfed by the evils of this present world, the apostasy within the ranks of religion, and the temptation to compromise Biblical truths. 8. As a symbol of the faithfulness of these saints in Pergamos, is Antipas "my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 9. No one knows anything about this man though it would seem he was martyred most likely in the temple of Asklepios. 10. His name means "against all" which symbolizes he stood alone against the evils pervasive in Pergamos, ultimately paying the supreme price. 11. At this point I think we should review a little of church history so we can better understand the development of the "global church organization under Constantine. 12. As the third century began, the churches enjoyed relative peace. Each local assembly was an independent functioning unit under a pastor teacher It was an era of expansion in most parts of the "Roman World" and with their expansion and 'prosperity' came revisions in their organization These developments prepared it for greater changes to come and a gradual diminution of local control In some places, like for example in Rome and Alexandria, various local assemblies came together to celebrate the Eucharist and these consolidations ultimately resulted in what was known as a "Paroikia" (a parish) over which a Bishop was recognized Chosen by the congregations the Bishops were ordained with a laying on of hands by neighboring pastors as a quasi-recognition of his authority The Bishops administered the financial affairs of the local assemblies; they chose and ordained their ministers; they enforced discipline and presided at their baptismal and Eucharistic assemblies As might be expected there was a growth in a number of offices to "serve" the local assemblies In Rome Bishop Fabian ( ) divided the city into seven regions and assigned a deacon over each area. This decision was based on Acts 6:3. 7

8 Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, who we may appoint over this business. Act 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word Soon the Bishop's authority extended to more than one city The church soon began to acquire property. The Roman church even began to acquire substantial properties. The acquisition of which meant additional administrative burdens but with their acquisitions came a potential source of income Finally, it is in the third century, that we see the development of a central organization above the local assembly level Councils of Bishops began to meet regularly to discuss and rule on common problems It soon developed that many of these Bishops were recognized as having special powers, eminence and authority In Rome, Alexandria, Antioch and Carthage the authority of certain Bishops extended over more than one Roman province. It was to these "special Bishops" who were so recognized that the style "pope" came regularly to be applied. 13. The time was ripe for Satan to move the global ecumenical evil forward. Poor Constantine would be selected. His first act will be to assign to his staff a Spanish Bishop by the name of Cordova; he would become his ecclesiastical advisor. 14. To Constantine there was little difference between the monotheism of Christianity and the Sun-cult which both he and Emperor Aurelian professed. 15. Nevertheless Constantine was convinced it was the Christian God who had brought him victory before the walls of Rome and it was upon this Christian God he relied to provide continued prosperity to his Empire. 16. Constantine from his Byzantium Palace would become the first head of state who sponsored a world religion. He came to regard the fostering of the Christian church as his sacred duty. Pergamos has received from God a stern warning not to blur moral distinctions and theological distinctions but rather Pergamos like the church today must continuously examine themselves in the light of "what saith the Lord Walvoord writes: "The parallel in the history of the early church, ( 300 to 800) with the church at Pergamos is all too evident... With the so-called conversion of Constantine... the time of persecution which the church had previously endured was replaced by a period in which the church was favored by the government. 8

9 The edicts of persecution which had characterized the previous administration were repealed and Christians were allowed to worship according to the dictates of their conscience." 18. Under these circumstances it suddenly was popular to be a Christian. 19. It soon became difficult to maintain a clear distinction between the church and the world and to preserve the purity of Biblical doctrine. 20. Once more quoting Walvoord "Though some benefit was secured by the successful defense of Biblical truth by the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325 as opposed to the defection from the faith by Arius and his followers..." 21. Arius had propounded that Christ as the Word, is a creature called into being by God "out of nonexistence." As a creature, the Logos or Word said Arius... "was subject to change and capable of both virtue and vice, just as human beings are... the Logos has not always existed" he wrote, "there was a time when he was not..." 22. The church soon lost its hope of the early return of Christ and Biblical "simplicity" was replaced by a complicated church organization which substituted human creeds, for Biblical doctrine. End Lesson Taught The Westbank Bible Church does not seek donations nor do we authorize any business to solicit same on behalf of the Church. 9