TOPIC:‌“Pergamos - The Lethargical Church”

                  by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap

 

TEXT:‌Revelation 2:12-17

 

‌‌“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write: These are the words of

‌‌him who has the sharp, double-edged sword” (2:12)

 

‌Pergamos, the third of the seven churches, was located in the western part of Asia Minor, inland about sixty miles north of Smyrna. It eventually became the capital of the Roman province of Asia in 133 B.C. and the seat of imperial authority. The influence of the city was found in its great library of more than two hundred thousand volumes, its famous school of medicine, and its being the major center of emperor worship.

 

‌The city of Pergamos was given to heathen idolatry more than all of the other cities of Asia. Great temples and huge alters where built in honor of four of the great cults - Zeus, Athena, Dionysus and Aesculapius which had its headquarters there. Though Pergamos was one of the most prominent cities of Asia, it was also one of the most sinful cities of the seven.

 

‌Pergamos the city has long ago vanished from the scene. It is today a city in ruins, although a Christian witness still continues in the area.

 

I.

 

‌Consider, to begin with, the MANIFESTATION of the DIVINE CHRIST. The living Lord is presented by John this way: “These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword” (2:12).

 

‌In the midst of this stronghold of emperor worship Christ assured the little church in Pergamos that He is more powerful than any of these earthly emperors. He introduces Himself as the One who “has the sharp, double-edged sword” a description used earlier of Christ in 1:16 and later in 19:15 and 26. The sharp two-edged sword is a symbol of the word of God with a twofold ministry. On the one hand it exposes all sin, slays all cults, brings judgment on the wicked, while on the other hand it brings hope, salvation and deliverance to those who will accept the Christ of whom it speaks.

 

‌So here in a city where the great altar of Zeus, built with a base of over 100 square feet and forty feet high, and the magnificent temple of Athena, together with a gigantic temple of Aesculapius with its symbol of a serpent and referred to by some as “Satan's seat” as mentioned in verse 13, Christ gives confidence and encouragement that He is able to meet their every need.

 

II.

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