Sunday Preview

We are continuing our series from Revelation this Sunday with the message from the Lord to the church in Pergamum (Revelation 2.) Every time we see how Jesus relates to a different church, we see another facet of his nature. Revelation reveals the glory of Jesus Christ in the midst of the persecution coming against the churches in Asia.

The church in Pergamum was located in the city where Satan had his throne. Emperor worship was established there and it was sweeping across the world controlled by the Roman Empire. People were giving up their rights and yielding their wills in order to have the stability that the emperor promised. Unfortunately, the corruption of this absolute power led to greater turmoil in the long run.

The believers in Pergamum were faithful in the face of persecution, but they compromised when it came to confronting sexual immorality in the church. Jesus called them to repentance. Their compromise with immorality would lead to the eventual destruction of the churches, as surely as embracing emperor worship would lead to the destruction of the culture.

We are living in a culture where many believers compromise with immorality as well. Jesus reveals himself to the church in Pergamum as one with a sharp, two-edged sword. He speaks the truth even when it brings temporary pain, in order to bring them long-term blessings.
I hope we will always be people who love the Lord, embrace the truth, and shine as true lights for Christ in our city

About these ads