Idolatry and Immorality Everpresence!
Like Smyrna, emperor worship permeate culture at Pergamum. Two decades before birth of Christ, temple erected to honor “deity” of Tiberius Caesar. It is thought by scholars that Pergamum may have been center of Caesar worship in Asia Minor. With cultish idolatry of Caesars and paganism comes rampant immorality as well.
And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: “The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’”
Revelation 2:12-17
Once again, Jesus congratulate church for holding fast in his name, even in face of persecution and martyrdom of St. Antipas, Pergamum’s bishop. But…
There some from Pergamum church who backslide into idol worship, paganism, and immorality. Jesus threaten to come back with two edged sword of truth!
Big Lizard remind you that there plenty idolatry, paganism, and immorality in today’s culture. Those who hold fast against such things to be lauded. Those who slip-sliding away still have time to turn back. Either way, Jesus sound like Terminator, “I’ll be back.” (Or maybe Terminator stole line from Jesus)
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