I Know Where You Live!

The Book that Promises a Blessing!

A study of the book of Revelation

by Pastor Frank Rice

Revelation 2:12-17

“I know where you live” could be words of comfort or words that create concern, depending on who says them and for what reason! If they’re words of reassurance from a friend, they are a source of consolation. If they’re spoken as a threat from an antagonist, not so much! In this present context Jesus speaks and emphasizes the fact that He knows what’s going on in the lives of His people. As we continue examining the seven churches, we discover most have positives and negatives. They’re commended for the positives and counseled to correct the deficiencies. These are churches!

 

v      We’ll only mention the fact of the seven parts to the seven letters to the seven real and representative churches thru their pastors.

v      We’re introduced to the city and church of Pergamos (v. 12a).

1.      This is one of the few cities in the Roman Empire that was granted the “privilege” of exercising capital punishment.

2.      The worship of leaders (emperor worship) was mandated along with the recognition of multiple gods and their annual religious festivals, an excuse for drunken immorality!

3.      Among the noted “tourist attractions” would’ve been the city’s beauty, wealth, and library of nearly 200,000 volumes. Impressive were its famed sculptures and temples to Dionysus, Athena, Asclepius, and Demeter and the three temples to the emperor cult.

4.      Christians, because of their non-participation in these cults, were often maligned, mistreated, and marginalized. There was always the threat of persecution hanging over their heads.

v      We’re introduced to an appropriate description of Jesus (v. 12b).

1.      Jesus Christ is described with only one quality in this letter, the sharp two-edged sword, with which “The Lord Jesus will war against false teachers corrupting His church.” (Keener)

2.      This is undoubtedly referring to His prerogative of pronouncing judgment on guilty rebels (1:16). “He, not the Roman governor, holds the power of life and death (1:18).” (Keener)

 

v      The Lord Jesus is well aware of the hostile and difficult situation in which they seek to live out their faith. (He empathizes.)

1.      He refers to Pergamos as the place where Satan is the mayor! The citizens have chosen him to run their lives! They’ve allowed him to exercise control!

2.      They are very religious, but it is the religion of deception and falsehood. (They would undoubtedly argue the point!)

v      The Lord Jesus is well aware of the fact that they’d held fast to His name. In the midst of difficult circumstances, they willingly identified with Him as their Lord and Savior, not the Emperor.

v      The Lord Jesus is well aware of the fact that they had refused to renounce their allegiance to Him to avoid suffering.

1.      When the first witness for Christ suffered and died for his faith, none of them turned their backs! They stood firm!

2.      And they did it in the place where Satan had free reign! He knows precisely what’s going on and He commends them!

3.      “Satan tries to undermine loyalty to Christ by persecution; Christ strengthens that loyalty by commending those who are true to Him and by exposing those who are deceitful.” (Johnson)

 

 

v      Jesus doesn’t excuse or overlook any threats to the life and health of His church (v. 14a). He has a few items that are amiss! (Empathy does not excuse misconduct!)

v      Jesus is gravely concerned with what the church is allowing to be taught (vv. 14-15). Beliefs eventuate in behavior, for good or ill!

1.      Since the church’s primary ministry is proclaiming truth, the greatest threat we face is religious error! (Our assignment from Jesus is not religious “do-good-ism!”)

2.      Anything that sidetracks us from proclaiming the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and faith alone in Him alone is a threat to our mission!

3.      Jesus mentions an OT “prophet” who advised a wicked king to frustrate God’s plans for His people by introducing religious perversion which resulted in behavioral perversion (v. 14b). “What Balak was not able to accomplish directly, he got through Balaam’s deception.” (Johnson)

4.      Jesus mentions another teaching which promoted a religious ruling class to oppress the people. It created a chasm between the leaders who were “superior” and the “low-life laity” (v. 15).

5.      Committed followers of Christ must make a clean break with former spiritually unhealthy practices and recognize the equality and dignity of each member of God’s family.    

v      Jesus issues a summons to change (v. 16). Believers must change their minds and behaviors or face the judgment of Jesus. He is seriously concerned about the life and health of His church!

v      In North American Christianity…

1.      “We do not confront emperor worship per se, but we have plenty of idols, whether materialism or celebrities who receive more attention than many people give to God.”

2.      “We see Christians deeply committed to their own material advancement, spending countless hours each week on entertainment, yet far less on learning God’s Word.”

 

v      Jesus prods His hearers to do something with what He’s just said to them through the Holy Spirit (v. 17a). It is not enough to merely hear what He says! Good intentions will never cut it!

v      Jesus makes promises to those who respond positively (v. 17b).

1.      He promises to provide incomprehensible and indiscernible grace to His struggling people. He did previously with manna designed to remind His people of His faithfulness in hostile and difficult circumstances. Pagan onlookers must have wondered how these people survived, what kept them going?

2.      He promises to provide what they had been denied; the white stone could mean…

(a)   In order to obtain food a white stone was given as a pass, but not for Christians. Christ promises to supply food for the soul for eternity.

(b)   In order to gain admission to feasts a white stone was issued, but not to Christians. They were rejected. Christ pledges an abundance entrance to His feast.

(c)   In order to be acquitted a white stone was tossed in, but rarely for Christians. They were often deprived of justice, falsely accused, and found guilty. Christ pronounces them not guilty by virtue of their faith in Him.

(d)   In order to retire from battles in the arena a white stone was needed. For Christians it was a constant battle against the forces of evil. Christ promised them rest.

 

The risen Christ knows where you live and He is able to sustain you as you rely on Him!