Revelation 2:12-29
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Chapter 2
Pergamum – The Worldly Church
Prophetically 312-590AD.
12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword – Pergamum means “objectionable” or “mixed” “marriage”. Located 48 miles north of Smyrna and 18 miles from the sea.
Ephesus – The great Political Center
Smyrna – The Great Economic Center
Pergamum – The Great Religious Center
13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne – The great Altar of Zeus was located here. Later moved to Berlin:
13 You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness – Antipas means against all.
Altar Of Zeus - Pergumum Museum Berlin
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam – Cf. Num 22-31. Balaam was:
- Soothsayer (Josh 13:22)
- Gentile (Deut 23:4-5)
- Hired By Balak (Num 22)
- Rebuked by his donkey (Num 22)
- Refused to curse Israel (Num 23-24)
- Taught how to defeat Israel (Num 31:16)
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 – The hidden manna represents Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life who came down from heaven (John 6:48–51). Some link the white stone with the Urim and Thummim in the breastplate of the high priest (Ex. 28:15, 30; Lev. 8:8; Num. 27:21; Deut. 33:8). The white stone was used by Romans in a court of law for acquittals. The black stone was used to convict.
Thyatira – The Medieval Church
Prophetically 590-1500 A.D.
18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: – Thyatira was about 45 miles southeast of Pergamum. Thyatira means “continual sacrifice.” Cf. Acts 16:14.
20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess - A woman of prominence in this church. For Jezebel Cf. 1Kings 16:30-33; 1Kings 21:1-24.
24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets: – the words “deep secrets” is the Greek word “bathos.”
29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches – Compare to Rev. 13:9.
The Papacy
Innocent III (1198-1216)
Innocent III (1198-1216) was the most powerful of all the Popes. He
claimed to be “Vicar of Christ,” “Vicar of God,” “Supreme Sovereign over
the Church and the World.” “All things on earth and in heaven and in
hell are subject to the Vicar of Christ.” The kings of Germany, France,
England, and practically all the monarchs in Europe obeyed his will,
including the Byzantine Empire. He ordered two crusades; decreed transubstantiation, confirmed auricular confession, declared papal infallibility, condemned the Magna Carta, forbade the reading of the Bible in the
vernacular, instituted the Inquisition, ordered the extermination of
heretics, etc. More blood was shed under his direction and that of his
immediate successors than in any other period of church history (except in
the Papacy’s effort to crush the Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries).
The Inquisition
Called “The Holy Office,” it was instituted by Pope Innocent III and
perfected by Pope Gregory IX. Under it everyone was required to inform
against heretics. Anyone suspect was liable to torture, without knowing
the name of his accuser. The proceedings were secret. The Inquisitor
pronounced sentence and the victim was turned over to civil authorities
to be imprisoned for life or to be burned. The victim’s property was
confiscated and divided between the church and the state. – Halley’s Bible Handbook
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