In this week’s study, we will continue in Chapter 2 verse 14, the Church of Pergamos
Pergamos was a city in the southern part of Mysia, the capital of a kingdom of that name, and afterward of the Roman province of Asia Propria. Some of the pagan temples that were seated there are the temples of Jupiter and Diana, of Aesculapius [healing] and Venus. It is called "Satan's seat" by John, which some suppose to refer to the worship of Aesculapius, from the serpent being his characteristic emblem. Others refer it to the persecutions of Christians, which was work of Satan.
14 Stumbling block = check this word out, “skan'-dal-on” A “scandal”; a trap stick (bent sapling), that is, snare (figuratively cause of displeasure or sin).
Fornication = “porn-yoo'-o” From “por-nay”; to act the harlot, that is, (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry:
Do you realize that there are Churches, with their traditions, place stumbling blocks in front of their assemblies? I can think of the Roman Catholic Church and their bogus system. Even to the point where the Pope thinks he is a god. I won’t even discuss the Masons, Moose and all those other secret lodges, where they hold their silly secret rituals of Salvation, blood rituals etc.
Even though this church, Pergamos, was commended for not renouncing their faith in the very lap of Satanic worship, they had allowed false doctrines into their church. What was outside the church had invaded the inside.
15 Nicolaitanes = A sect mentioned whose deeds were strongly condemned. They may have been identical, with those who held the doctrine of Balaam. They seem to have held that, it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication, in opposition to the decree of the Church rendered in Acts 15. The teachers of the Church branded them with a name, which expressed their true character.
16 Repent = “met-an-o-eh'-o” From “met-ah” and “noy-he-o”; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction).
Again we see the warning to repent. Remember that this is spoken to the churches and to Christians. We cannot forget that. We must repent of our sins and our allowing sin in our churches without rebuke. If we do not do this then the Lord will come and rebuke us with the Word. Yahweh helps us if we do repent when we are rebuked. The Lord will fight against our enemies with the Word of His mouth, and we can also use the Word to defend the faith and teach sound doctrine. But when it is we who are living in sin, the Word turns around and rebukes us. The Holy Spirit convicts us through the Scriptures of our sin. We must then repent and turn from our wicked ways. Then the Lord can bring times of refreshing.
My intention is to take this study to a deep level. Deeper than most of you are used to! I am asking no one to agree with me; however I do ask that you check every detail that I present out for yourself.
Don’t end up like those in Hosea 4:6 ‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God (Elohim), I will also forget thy children.’
But, be like those in 2Timothy 2:15 ‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God (Yahweh), a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’
Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!
Have any questions? Feel free to email me at utwoy@netzero.net
