How will you be known forever?

Pergamos• A wealthy city• People in pagan cults worshipped Athena, Asclepius,

Dionysus, and Zeus.• Huge library of about 200,000 volumes• Manufactured a parchment• Not warm to Christian life an testimony

The Vision of Christ – 2:12

He is the One who is able to discern thoughts, motives, and Who judges.

Heb. 4:12-13

Commendation – 2:13

Tough environment: “…where Satan has his throne”…

“…where Satan lives”…Temple of Asclepius?

Commendation – 2:13

They were faithful in the face of the martyrdom of one of their own.

However…

Condemnation – 2:14-15

BalaamProbably a believer.

Encouraged intermarriage with non-Israelites and as well as idol worship.

As is common in America today…

“America, your American Idols…”

Condemnation – 2:14-15

The specific teaching of the Nicolaitans is not clear.

What is clear is God’s hatred for mingling false, pagan teaching with that of the Scriptures.

Correction – 2:16

Get right with God!

Judgment awaits those who teach false doctrine!

God “goes to war” with them!

Shouldn’t that affect all of us and our attitudes?

Correction – 2:16

What a privilege to find out we’re wrong!

What a blessing to know truth!

Reward – 2:17

“Manna”Jesus is the living Bread, on whom we “feast”

John 6Probably the benefits of fellowship with Christ, likely

the focus is the Wedding Feast.Rev. 19:9; Mt. 26:29

Reward – 2:17

The idea is probably end-time fellowship and intimacy with Jesus.

This is consistent with the rest of the passage and rewards offered.

Reward – 2:17

Intimacy is a consistent reward in Scripture.

Psalm 11:7; 15; Mt. 5:8

Reward – 2:17

“White Stone”Context of the Messianic Feast

A “tessara” (small tile) = token for admission to banquets and athletic games.

Our name on it identified it as our ticket.

Reward – 2:17

Winners at the Isthmian games were given money anda certificate of victory;

A small white tablet of white stone with the name of the victor inscribed by an expert carver.

Reward – 2:17

To have this is to be recognized by the Divine Judge as a victor in battle.

We may be despised here, but in heaven, victors are honored.

The sentence of earthly judges is reversed by the Judge!

Reward – 2:17

New name = Jewish custom of giving a name at a point in life consistent with characteristics of a person.

Cephas - Peter = “the rock”Joses - Barnabas = “son of encouragement”

Saul – Paul = “little”

Reward – 2:17

Overcomers get a new name of honor.

Intimacy is a reward as it is between Jesus and us alone.

Reward – 2:17

The new name of the Overcomer involves his “own particular life message, his own particular history of

struggle and demonstration of God’s life in his”. Dillow

Reward – 2:17

What will my name be?

What would I want my name to be?

How should we then live?