Pergamum - Part 2 Balaam

 Read Rev 2:12-13 about Pergamum

Now for the Negative Statement

Rev 2:14-15

14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.  15 So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner.  

1. Start with Nicolaitans. Some from Pergamum retain and use the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

1. Nicolaitans were followers of Nicolaus, who was mentioned in Acts 6:5. He was chosen to be one of seven men to help in ministry in Jerusalem along with Stephen, Phillip and 4 others.

Act 6:5 

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch;

History says Nicolas (the Nicolaitans) distorted Paul’s teaching on liberty. Giving them freedom to abuse the flesh.

Hence: Rev 2:6 

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

***No biblical support that this***

2. That leaves us with using the word "Nicolaitan" itself to identify who it may be. 

Nicolaitan comes from two words, "Nikao", meaning "to conquer", and "laity", meaning "the people". 

Ministers are to make disciples of Jesus and His Word, not themselves and their traditions.

God never wanted a king over Israel; men did. (Think Saul)

2. Teachings of Balaam 

-teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel

Balaam means "not of the people"

Balak means "a devastator or spoiler"

NT mentions of Balaam

2Pe 2:15-16

forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing; 16 but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man's voice and stayed the madness of the prophet.

Some in Pergamum who…

1. Forsaked the right way

2. Followed the way that Balaam did

3. Balaam loved hire(or wages) of wrongdoing

4. Prophet

2Pe 2:17-18 

17 These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved. 18 For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error

Some in Pergamum who…

1. springs without water

2. mists driven by a storm

3. uttering great swelling words of vanity

4. entice in the lusts of the flesh those who are just escaping (from cleanness)(from them that live in error)

lasciviousness 

- driven by lust; preoccupied with or exhibiting lustful desires. 

What was Balaam was lustful for?

Money or some type of gain

Jud 1:11-13

11 Woe unto them! for they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah. 12 These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved for ever.

1. Jud 1:4 

For certain men have crept in privily, who were of old written of beforehand unto this: condemnation, ungodly, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Master and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

2. Jud 1:19 

These are they who make separations, having only soul, not having Spirit.

***Jude may have been a brother or relative of Jesus

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Review Moses/children of Israel and their location near Jericho, Moab, Midian and Amon

Num 22:1-5 

1 And the children of Israel journeyed, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. 2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. 4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now will this multitude lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. 5 And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me.

Summary

1. Children of Israel in plains of Moab near Jericho

2. Balak - king of Moab sees what Israel had done to Amorites and is afraid

3. Balak - many Israelites, fewer Moabites

4. Balak gathers the elders of Midian (means 'strife').  

Show "Pethor.jpg" on screen

5. Midian is a territory south of Moab of which Balak calls and asks for wisdom from it's elders

6. Evidently, the plan they concoct is to reach out for assistance to Balaam, the son of Beor who lives in Pethor. Messengers are sent to Balaam.

Pethor mean "soothsayer" possible in Mesopotamia near the Euphrates River, site unknown

What land may Pethor be near? Babylon

**Assumption: this entire event didn't happen over night

Num 22:6-12 

6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed. 7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. 8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Jehovah shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. 9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? 10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, 11 Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out. 12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed.

Summary

1. Balaam, curse the Israelites for they are too mighty

2. Both the elders of Moab and Midian head out to Pethor w their cash

3. They find Balaam, explain the situation to him. The elders of Moab stay with Balaam. Where do the elders of Midian stay?

Holiday Inn

4. Balaam meets with God. How?

5. God tells Balaam not to go with these elders back to Moab (?). Don't curse the people people because they are blessed.

Num 22:13-20 

13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land; for Jehovah refuseth to give me leave to go with you. 14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us. 15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they. 16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: 17 for I will promote thee unto very great honor, and whatsoever thou sayest unto me I will do: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. 18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah my God, to do less or more. 19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what Jehovah will speak unto me more. 20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men are come to call thee, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak unto thee, that shalt thou do.

Summary

1. Balaam listens to God, and refuses to leave with the elders of Moab/Midian.

Balaam seems like a good dude so far.

2. Princes/elders go all the way back to Balak in Moab and tell him.

3. Balak sends more honorable princes (of Moab only?) back to Balaam. How much time is passing here?

4. "Come back with us and curse the children of Israel"

5. What else might these more honorable men have? Money

6. Should God's spokesperson be persuaded by influence (or money). No

7. Balaam, a second time, refuses to go with these princes of Moab. And says, "I can't go beyond the word of the Lord, to do more of less"

Honorable? Yes

8. "Wait here tonight and I'll ask God if He has more to say to me." 

Honorable? Maybe, they had left for a stretch of time, then returned again. 

Maybe Balaam is just being careful?

9. God tells Balaam, "If the men are come to call thee, rise up, go with the men (to Moab?). But speak only the words which I speak.

Is Balaam wicked yet?

Not sure. 

-Maybe he shouldn't have asked again.

-Princes had been gone for a while. Maybe asking about this time?

Num 22:21-25

21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. 22 And God's anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of Jehovah placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 24 Then the angel of Jehovah stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25 And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

God is angry. Why?

1. Didn't need to ask

2. Maybe Balaam didn't follow vs20…"if the men are come to call thee, rise and go"?

Maybe he didn't wait for the men to call?

3. Maybe Balaam is motivated by the financial gain and it isn't stated here?

4. Any other thoughts?

5. Angel of the lord after as an adversary against him.

Who might this be?

6. Balaam was riding on an ass, and his two servants were with him.

Who else rides on an ass in the gospels? Jesus (is this an end time type of the wayward church?)

7. The angel has a drawn sword (word) and sends the Balaam off the narrow path.

8. If Balaam represents the end time church, what does the ass represent?

Prob the misrepresented gospel that the wayward end time church uses to ride the narrow path. 

When misused, they are knocked off the narrow path. Balaam foot is crushed against the wall. What might his foot represent? His walk.

Pro 4:27 

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:  Remove thy foot from evil.

Num 22:26-35 

26 And the angel of Jehovah went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she lay down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff. 28 And Jehovah opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? 29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me, I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee. 30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay. 31 Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. 32 And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is perverse before me: 33 and the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times: unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her alive. 34 And Balaam said unto the angel of Jehovah, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. 35 And the angel of Jehovah said unto Balaam, Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Summary

1. Angel of the Lord stands in narrow place

2. Donkey lays down under Balaam

3. Angry Balaam beats donkey with his staff 3x's (third day)

4. Ass talks to Balaam, asking him why he beats him 3x's. Donkey sees "Jesus". The rider didn't.

5. Angel (Jesus) becomes an adversary to Balaam because his way is perverse before him.

6. Balaam repents when being shown the error of his ways.

7. Angel again states to Balaam "Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak."

Angel of the Lord reveals His identify in vs 35. Same words as were spoken in vs 20.

God = speaks in verse 20

Angel of Lord = speaks in vs 35

More than likely, this is JESUS.

Num 22:36-41 

36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border. 37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor? 38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to speak anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. 39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kiriath-huzoth. 40 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him. 41 And it came to pass in the morning, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from thence the utmost part of the people.

Summary

1. Balaam arrives in Moab and is greeted by Balak

2. "Why didn't you come? Am I  of able to honor thee?"

3. Balaam tells Balaak he will speak only the words that God gives him.

4. Balaam goes with Balak to city Kirjathhuzoth

5. Balak offers sacrifice of sheep and oxen. And sends sends it to Balaam. Here, Balaam eats food sacrificed to idols (as stated back in Rev 2:14)

Rev 2:14 

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. 

6. Balaam is brought to the high places of Baal. And sees the children of Israel from the high places of Baal. Significant? 

Spiritual fornication? 

Yes

7. So he sees the children of Israel through or from the high places of Baal. Possible meaning?

Pergamum - Part 1 - Rev 2:12-13

 Pergamum - 

-means 'height or elevation'

-only found in Rev

-second most prominent city in Asia Minor (Mysia) behind Ephesus

-if Ephesus was seen as NYC, Pergamum would be equivalent to Wash DC since in it sat the seat of the Roman govt

-the ruins at Pergamum are known to be as stunning as Athens and Rome

-worshipped gods such as Zeus Soter, Athena, and Aesculapius

-also a center for emperor worship. Temple built for Roman emperors Augustus, and Trajan

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Pattern of How each church is spoken of: (be brief)

1. The message is given to the angel (messenger) of each church

2. A reference to Jesus is made that has been already mentioned in Rev 1; (for example: he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand) prob in relation to something regarding that particular church

3. A positive "validation" for their "work". 

But not every church is given postive validation.

4. Followed by a negative citation in which the church is told to repent of.

Not every church is given a negative reference.

5. Each church is told "he that hath an ear to hear"...

6. Each church is challenged to overcome something.

7. If they overcome, they will receive something from Jesus, usually something found in Rev 20,21 or 22.

Rev 2:12

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword

Summary

1. And to the angel of the church in Pergamum…

2. Here is the reference to Jesus from Rev 1. 

These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword

Rev 1:16b

and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword

Two edged sword?

-The word of God

Clear reference to Heb 4:12, let's look at that:

Heb 4:12 

For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1. Wonder why this verse?

2. Word of God is living and active?

-Alive and effectual. 

-Maybe tendency over time to think it is having no effect. Esp if Satan's throne is in Pergamum.

3. ...sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit?

-diving of soul and spirit?

-Maybe a reference to this..

1Co 15:45 

So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

4. (piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit,) of both joints and marrow

-Marrow of the soul and spirit? 

Job 21:22-25  

22 Shall any teach God knowledge,  Seeing he judgeth those that are high? 23 One dieth in his full strength,  (SPIRIT) Being wholly at ease and quiet: 24 His pails are full of milk,  And the marrow of his bones is moistened. 25 And another dieth in bitterness of SOUL,  And never tasteth of good.

One is the marrow of the spirit, the other one of the soul.

Marrow of the spirit is at full strength, being at ease, with the marrow of his bones being moistened...SPIRIT

Vs 25 is the other...bitterness of SOUL. Assuming that the marrow of the soul isn't moist?

Example of this:

Ezekiel 37:1-5

-Joints of the soul and spirit? ("Joints" only used once in NT)

G719 - harmos - "joint or joining"

From G716 - harma "chariot"

"war chariots"

"chariot (w horses)"

-Philip in Acts 8:26-29 (explain background)

Act 8:26-29 

26 But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; 28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

-Remember the word "joints (and marrow)" in Heb 4:12 comes from the original Greek word which means "chariot". 

Philip means "lover of horses"

-So the HS tells Philip (lover of horses) to join himself to "this chariot"

Significance? 

Here the HS (via Philip) attaches His horse to a Ethiopian seeker

Finish Acts 8:30-39

So the HS leads the man into spiritual understanding (and baptism) via Philip (lover of horses).

But there are examples of chariots that are aren't pulled by the HS horses.

1. Egyptians in Exodus who chase the Israelites across the Red Sea. 

2. Rev 9:7-10

7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for war; and upon their heads as it were crowns like unto gold, and their faces were as men's faces. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war. 10 And they have tails like unto scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months.

-Called locust in vs7. What do locust do?

-As the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war...

5. Heb 4:12 and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Rev 2:13 

I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth. 

1. Know where you live

2. I know where Satan's throne is

-in Pergamum?

means = "height or elevation"

-The oldest part of Pergamum is the acropolis (fortified area), which is considerably higher and steeper than the acropolis of Athens. 

-Zeus Soter, Athena and Aesculapius were worshipped. 

-The city also had a great temple to Zeus Soter. Who is Zeus Soter? 

-Savior Zeus

G4990: Saviour (24x).

saviour, deliverer, preserver

1Ti 1:1 

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope;

G4991 Soteria 

salvation, deliver, health, save

Act 4:12 

And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.

G4982 Sozo

heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole

Peter sinking in water yelled:

Mat 14:30 

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me.

3. Satan's throne in Pergamum?

-Pergamum means = "height or elevation"

Prob some connection:

Mat 4:8-10

8 Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 

Pergamum a metaphor for the world? Maybe

Pergamum: A place of special wickedness, as if Satan dwelt there. Satan is, as it were, enthroned there. 

4. Encouraging word:

and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.

1. Antipas?

"Like the father"

Tradition?

"According to Eastern Orthodox traditions, according to the Commentary on the Apocalypse of Andreas of Caesarea, it is believed that Saint Antipas was Antipas referred to in the Book of Rev 2:13. According to Christian tradition, John the Apostle ordained Antipas as bishop of Pergamon during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero. The traditional account goes on to say Antipas was martyred during the reign of Nero (54-68), by burning in a brazen bull-shaped altar for casting out demons worshiped by the local population."

2. Faithful witness (martyr) (4x's) 

Jesus

Rev 1:5 

and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;

Jesus

Rev 3:14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write:  These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:

Paul says:

2Ti 2:2

And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3. Where Satan dwelleth…

Per Rev Angus Stewart:

"So what was it about Pergamos that indicates that Satan had his dwelling and throne there or that he was especially present and powerful there? 

Pergamos served many idols, such as Zeus, Dionysius, Athene and others. It had many temples and altars. But this did not mark it out as Satan’s throne because all the pagan cities in the Roman empire at that time worshipped idols, including the other cities mentioned in Revelation 2-3. 

It was the prominence of its worship of Aesculapius or Asclepius as saviour, healer and preserver that made Pergamos distinctive in this regard. Asclepius was a god of healing and health. He had an impressive temple, the ruins of which can be visited in Pergamos today. People used to sleep in that temple with the idea that Asclepius would give them a dream which would be interpreted by his priest telling them how to be healed. The spring beside the temple was said to possess healing powers. Devotees would offer sacrifices or leave gifts for healing. Small terracotta body parts to represent the injured area or limb have been found near Asclepius’ temple in Pergamos. Small wonder that Pergamos has been called the Lourdes of the ancient world. 

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One animal is especially associated with Asclepius: the snake. Asclepius’ symbol is a serpent-entwined staff (still used in the medical world today). At the dedication of temples to Asclepius, snakes would be encouraged to enter the building. Doubtless, such a ceremony took place in Pergamos too. In honour of Asclepius, a particular type of non-venomous snake was often used in healing rituals. These were called “Asclepian snakes.” They slithered around freely on the floor in dormitories where the sick and injured slept.

What is the Christian analysis of all this? This is devil worship through a false god, Asclepius, symbolized by a snake. In Revelation 12:9, “the great dragon” or “the Devil” or “Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” is also called “that old serpent.” This is a reference to the devil’s use of a snake in Genesis 3 to tempt Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. Whereas death and disease came through the devil using a snake, the worshippers of Asclepius ascribed healing and preservation to the serpent.