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Revelation 2:12
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10 aDo not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. bBe faithful until death, and I will give you cthe crown of life.  
11 a“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by bthe second death.” ’  

The Compromising Church

12 “And to the1 angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says aHe who has the sharp two-edged sword:  
13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of aBalaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, bto eat things sacrificed to idols, cand to commit sexual immorality.  
15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.  
16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and awill fight against them with the sword of My mouth.  
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 amanna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone ba new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’  

The Corrupt Church

18 “And to the1 angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, awho has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:  
19 a“I know your works, love,1 service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.  
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?
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What Does Revelation 2:12 Mean?



Revelation 2:12-13

Pergamos was no more wicked than other cities of the day—consider, for example, Corinth and Ephesus. Some commentators say the governor of Pergamos, like Satan, heavily persecuted the church and likely oversaw the martyrdom of Antipas. Satan, king of all the children of pride (Job 41:34), deceives the whole world and is the accuser or persecutor of the brethren (Revelation 12:9-10). The lesson for us may be that where criticism, put-down, and persecution of others are common, Satan spends a great deal of time, taking bizarre, twisted pleasure in accusation and negativity. The Devil dwells where pride and self-exaltation are present, attitudes we must avoid diligently.

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
The Seven Churches (Part Five): Pergamos

Related Topics: Accusation | Antipas | Children of Pride | Criticism | Martyrdom | Negative Attitude | Negativism | Negativity | Pergamos, Church of | Persecution | Pride | Put Down | Satan's Attitudes | Satan's Character | Self Exaltation



Revelation 2:1-29

Consider that this is Christ's message to His church just before the end, and this is what is most important for His people as we approach the end. Doctrine is mentioned seven times. Is that interesting in light of the times in which we live? We are seeing a major part of the church going haywire on doctrine! Is there something in the letter to Thyatira that mentions things that are happening in that group?

The letters contain at least eleven warnings to these seven churches but also at least twelve promises. Christ mentions faith, patience, conduct, and doctrine. But the two greatest, related concerns for His church at the end are works (Revelation 2:2,9,13,19; 3:1,8, 15) and overcoming (Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21).

Today, an awful lot of people are interested in church government at this time. It is not even mentioned by Christ! There are people who are interested in rituals, sacraments, and ceremonies, of which would be things like baptism or the Passover. But nothing in the seven letters alludes to these things. Nor is there anything in them about preaching the gospel around the world. These things have their place, but what we see is Christ's concern with doctrine, conduct, warnings to repent, and promises of reward.

Now these things that are not mentioned are less important than faith, repentance, and holiness, all of which directly impact on doctrine, conduct, and receiving the promises. All of these are bracketed between His statements about works and overcoming.

John W. Ritenbaugh
Revelation 2-3 and Works

Related Topics: Conduct | Doctrine | Doctrine, Importance of | Doctrines, Basic | Promises of Reward | Repentance | Repentance, Motivation For | Reward, Promises of | Seven Churches of Revelation


 
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