Revelation 2:12-17 (NRSV)
Idolatrous behavior is condemned
"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two edged sword:
"I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.
Reflection
Doesn't the expression "where Satan's throne is." put some mystery to this? This passage is the letter to the church in Pergamum. The city was prone to idolatry in the first place. Behind the city was a one-thousand foot high hill that was speckled with heathen temples and an altar to Zeus cut out of the rock. This wall of rock heathen temples and Zeus stood over the city as if ruling over it. This is where the expression of Satan's throne originates.
Next question is what's the deal with the Nocolaitans? This comes from Acts when Nicolaus was appointed to administer the food to the poor and windows. There came a dispute as to eating food which had been offered to idols. The people of Pergamum were scolded for eating such food, which ended up being only a problem if you caused another Christian to have issues with this and weaken their faith.
Finally what's all this about Balaam and Balak? In the Old Testament, Balak was to put a stumbling block in front of the Israelites by having a curse placed on the Israelites. So Balak gets the help of Balaam a non-Israelite prophet. But Balaam having sold his skills for less than he would have liked, would only offer the words God gave, which turned out to be a blessing of the Israelite armies.
Then take the notion that the people believed God would come to them again as manna that would descend from heaven and bring life. This was a Jewish notion that came out of their rich past experience with manna in the desert. It turned out to be Jesus that came in flesh to all people
The church at Pergamum was surrounded by all this thinking and it was difficult to hold on to true teachings and not fall to idolatry. This church had a huge stumbling block in front of it. Here, Jesus exhorts this church to repent and turn to God.
Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of a mess and are being pulled in many different directions by many different ways of thinking. But what I get here is that we need to stop, look at the situation, repent and redirect ourselves towards what God has in store for our lives, not what our environment is pulling us towards. It's all easier said than done for humans, but with God, our lives and actions will be pulled towards the source of life in Jesus. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, sometimes my environment pulls me in all sorts of ways. I turn to you and repent of my failed actions to stay the course with you. Show me your Light and pull me always towards you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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