Untamed Faith

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From Part 1 of our study on The 7 Churches of Revelation

Pergamum - Revelation 2: 12-17

- Pergamum was the capital city of Asia Minor
- Was the center for the vast production of parchment, the word parchment comes from pergamenos which means "from Pergamum"
- Also home to a shrine built for Asclepius (the god of healing); the shrine was later expanded to become a lavish spa renowned for its therapeutic and healing centers

In this letter Jesus praises the church for taking a stand against Satanic practices. Jesus states that He knows they dwell where Satan lives. Jesus even mentions a man named Antipas that was put to death for taking a strong stand

Yet, Jesus has revealed His disappointment with the church's willingness to compromise. While the church took hard line stances against Satanic practices, the church compromised in regard to immoral living and would not condemn it. In Pergamum, immorality was so rampant that you stood out if you did not live a sinful lifestyle.

Jesus then instructs the church that they must prepare for the temptations that are to come. Jesus tells the church that if they endure, He will give them a white stone with a new name on it. This is symbolic of Roman culture. The White Stone is something that could be won in a contest that would give its owner special privileges such as the ability to attend exclusive social events. The White Stone was also known to be a way for people to identify themselves to Roman authorities. Further, during a trial a White Stone would be shown if the defendant was acquitted of all charges.

For today's church - we need to look no further than our own compromises with the sins of society. Our biggest takeaway from this letter should be that we must not dilute our Christian values in order to co-exist in a world of sin and chaos.

For Pergamum, things went down hill quickly. By the time John wrote the letter Pergamum had ceased to be known as the capital city of Asia Minor. In the 3rd Century AD, an earthquake severely damaged the city prior to it being sacked by the Gauls.

From Part 1 of our study on The 7 Churches of Revelation

Smyrna - Revelation 2: 8-11

- Smyrna was referred to as the "glory of Asia" for being considered the center of learning and culture
- Smyrna was one of the cities that vied for the title "First City of Asia"
- Smyrna was extremely hostile toward the early church Christians

In the letter to the church of Smyrna, Jesus praises the church for its endurance of all the persecution that has befallen it. Jesus acknowledges that the church is growing despite being surrounded by the synagogue of Satan. Jesus also speaks to their material poverty yet praises their spiritual wealth.

Jesus goes on to tell the church that the persecution will get worse. Some members will be thrown in to jail. Some will be executed. Jesus encourages them to be faithful unto death and that He will reward them with the crown of life.

We can apply this to our modern church by simply acknowledging that persecution of Christianity still exists worldwide in ways both seen and unseen. However, persecution is but for a short time when compared to the promise of eternal life.

After the letter, Smyrna the city fell deeper in to evilness. The church was persecuted in to nonexistence. Smyrna became known for its emperor worship and became a temple warden of the imperial cult.

From Part 1 of our study on the 7 Churches of Revelation

Ephesus - Revelation 2: 1-7

- Best known for its proximity to the Temple of Artemis, which is listed as one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world

- Believed that the Virgin Mary spent her final years here, The House of the Virgin Mary is a Catholic pilgrimage site to this day

- In the letter, Jesus dictates to John that Jesus is pleased with how well they have held to their doctrine. However Jesus is displeased that the church has strayed from its first love.

"First love" could be the love they once had for Jesus and His teachings but it could also be that their good works are no longer motivated by love. It could be that the Ephesians have turned from operating out of love and are doing things either out of routine or for gain.

Jesus instructs the church that things are going to get much worse for the church and that they need to return to their love in His teachings in order to persevere through in impending persecution.

We can apply much from this letter to today's church - the most important takeaway is this; Truth and love must go hand in hand, you can't have one without the other

After the letter from John, the church would see itself slowly diminish and by 200 A.D. the church of Ephesus had fallen in to apostasy and was no more

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