PERGAMOS
Today’s Reading: Revelation 2:12-17
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
You can see on the slopes of the hill ruins of the theatre in Pergamos. My son, David Reynold, says that acoustics were so good that a whisper on stage could be heard all the way to the top row. In the middle of the photo, the long plateau path was once a building which led to the pagan temple (its ruins can be seen at the bottom of the photo). Today’s reading speaks of “Satan’s throne.” Satan occupied these temples in order to receive the worship which he had coveted in Heaven before he was cast down to the earth. In Luke 10:18 we read the words of Jesus, “I beheld Satan fall like lightening from Heaven.” Did Satan make this city the centre of his activities here on earth?
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Revelation 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.
Some believers in this church were being swept into the vortex of compromise with pagan practises. The “Doctrine of Balaam” was one of prostituting the prophetic gift for financial gain (Numbers 22:1-8). There are two temptations which Satan used then and now…1) coveting money, and 2) sex outside of a one-man, one-woman relationship of holy matrimony. The “Doctrine of the Nicolaitans” was that one could worship the true God and also participate in pagan temple rituals (offering sacrifices to idols and engaging sexually with the temple prostitutes). It is believed that most of the followers of Jesus Christ in Pergamos were not Jews, but Gentiles, former Pagans. The published decision of the Jerusalem church leaders for non-Jewish believers in Jesus is found in Acts 15:22-29. They did not insist that non-Jewish believers become converts to Judaism, nor did they put doctrines such as Sabbath (Saturday) keeping, etc., on them. They wrote of what they considered “necessary things.” “Abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality”… period. We must not let the legalists bring those of us who are non-Jews under bondage. This decision by the Jewish mother church in Jerusalem may have been directed specifically to Pergamos. Of course it was applicable to all the churches, but at that time most believers in Jesus were Jews, and the Apostles and almost all the Christian Pastors all over the world were Jewish.
What a great promise Jesus made to the ones who “overcome!” In the games played in the great stadia of the Greek and Roman world, a “white stone” was given to those who excelled in their sport. Their names were inscribed on the stone, and it could be used for free access to the stadia for all events. According to our key verse, we who overcome have special access to all God’s blessings! The “hidden manna” is God’s special treat for His people; just what we need and want for spiritual nutrition.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, as I read twice in today’s reading, Your Word is as a sharp sword. May Your Word cut away from me anything displeasing to You. I pray daily for the grace of a repentant heart and mind. Deliver me from the evil doctrines of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans. In the Name of my Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Again today I’m reminded of the importance of encountering that sharp two-edged Sword, which is the “Word of God,” every day without fail (Hebrews 4:12-16). I understand that the pagan temple in Pergamos had at its centre an image of Asklepios, the so-called god of healing. Unthinkable things took place there with temple prostitutes, and those seeking healing would spend a night on the floor of the temple where non-poisonous snakes would be released by the priests to crawl over them, believing that this would cure them. The medical symbol of today may relate to this, but I prefer to believe it comes from the time when God told Moses to put a brass serpent image on a pole, and those who had been bitten by poisonous snakes would be healed. Satan, that snake in the Garden of Eden, was rendered powerless through the suffering of the Cross of Christ. Isaiah wrote, “By His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-6). The Apostle Matthew referred to Isaiah in (Matthew 8:14-17). Peter referred also to Isaiah’s prophecy of healing in Christ (1 Peter 2:21-25). It was Peter’s mother-in-law’s healing by Jesus which Matthew recorded.
Yours for the blessings promised “to him that overcomes”,
David
P.S. I must not let this go without mentioning the martyr of Pergamos, Antipas. He is surely worthy of honour. I plan, God willing, to meet Antipas some day and find out more about his testimony, which resulted in his death at the hands of the Roman authorities.
The Altar of Zeus was built by Eumenes II to commemorate a great victory over the Gauls (Galatians) in Pontus and Bithynia in 229-228 BC. The open-air altar (not a temple) was about 100 feet long and 35 feet high, and it was decorated with life-sized figures depicting a battle between gods and giants. The great altar, which was included on some lists of the world’s wonders, was destroyed during the Byzantine era and the remains were used to repair the acropolis defense walls. In the 19th century these fragments were removed to the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany, and used in a full-scale reconstruction of the temple. It’s very possible that “Satan’s throne” moved to Berlin during the Nazi era. Satan hates Jews, for through the Jewish people we have received the Word of God, our Lord and Saviour Jesus, and the Apostles and true Prophets of God, hence anti-semitism.
Wonderful photos, history, scripture, prayer and message. By His stripes, we are healed. Amen. His blessings of love, comfort and joy be upon all saints, today.
“O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments…”
Nehemiah 1:5 ESV
King of My Heart / Holy Spirit | Anthem Lights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Z8zxsQj64
Amen
Amen
Once again beautiful photos of places I probably shall never visit, so thanks very much Reynold for these.
Thanks to all dear saints for sending their kind condolences concerning my brother and those who mentioned our anniversary…much appreciated and love you all.
Helen Keller: “Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there’s a difference to me, you know. Because in that room I shall be able to see.”
God’s blessings on all saints of our heavenly Father.
God bless you Lynda……
WOW! 52 years is wonderful, may God continue to bless you and husband and your family thank you for posting
May God bless you as well dear Sah and thank you for your kind words. Loving you in Jesus name.
Dear Lynda, I’ve just now read yesterday’s comments. I do want to add my blessings and congratulations to you and your husband on your 52nd wedding anniversary. That is wonderful!
Also, my condolences to you on the loss of your brother. Praying you will know the perfect comfort of the Holy Spirit at this time.
Lynda – Amen to Deanna’s post
Thank you Deanna and Gloria for your kind words; they do comfort me in Jesus name.
Also, dear Ger, I’m praying that you also will have the peace and comfort of the Lord at this time of losing your brother Vinal. How it must already be a great comfort to know he is in the presence of his Savior, and you will see him again!
And praying for your niece now too. Thanking the Lord for her faithfulness to share the glorious Gospel with her Dad!
Dear Father, thank You for this day You have made. You are the God of all comfort, and we ask You to especially comfort those who have lost their loved ones. Be with them and show them You are the Good Shepherd who cares for His defenseless and vulnerable ones. Thank You for that day when You will wipe away all our tears, that ‘wrong will fail, the right prevail’. Thank You, Lord God, in Jesus’s name, amen
Amen
Amen!
Amen Rob
Just read the rest of yesterday’s comments as well and want to thank these also for their condolences: Lynda D. and extend my condolences for the loss of your brother and congratulate you on your 52nd anniversary, Irene, Eleanor M. Samuel Fame, Doreen, Luisa, Teresa, Marilyn Busse, Deanna and Rob. God bless you saints. It is a relief to know another brother is in a better place. I have eight brothers and four are still living. David’s comments remind us of the tremendous price some Christians paid for their stand for Christ and unfortunately still is being paid today. Blessings to all.
God bless you Ger!
Bless you Ger. My brother Lloyd who just passed away is one of my nine brothers. Yes, he’s in a better place now joining my mother and father and other brothers and a sister. Praise the Lord.
Something so relaxing to enjoy:
Best Carbonara Ever! – Cooking in the Forest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eISr0vQhRhc
Sending you my condolences and prayers, Lynda D. We depend on our Heavenly Father for comfort and strength, especially in these days that we are unable to give or receive a hug to encourage us. God richly bless you and your husband and grant you joyful years ahead.
Bless you dear Luisa and thank you for your kind words.
It’s has been a while since I have posted anything on this blog but I have a prayer request I need physical healing for my body so Isaiah 53 where it talks about that by his stripes I am healed comes very timely just to give you some of the things that I’m dealing with I have a skin condition I have osteoarthritis in both knees I suffer from migraines sinus headaches and regular regular headaches and there’s other physical things that I am looking up to God to to heal me and I thank you. God is is my healer and I am standing on his word and so I would ask that you would please hold me up in prayer and in advance I just want to say thank you again for hearing me out and for me sharing my my heart so thank you all and God bless
See post below for your prayer request, Marilyn. 💓
God heal our sister Marilyn In Jesus Name Amen!!
Praying for God’s healing touch on you, dear Marilyn ! 🙏🏼
Lord we pray that You would completely heal Marilyn of all her illnesses; heal every part of her body; help her to smile,laugh; and enjoy You every day with no pain;
Lord You know this precious child of Yours; You know the pain; I pray Lord in Jesus Name that you would heal her completely; Thank you Lord for every blessing we have which comes from You in Jesus Name we Pray amen amen amen
Praying for total and complete healing dear Marilyn for all of your physical afflictions. God has all the answers and praying you get a wise and Christian physician to help you find them.
Have you considered lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or lyme disease? Those came to mind upon reading your post. But, I am not a physician, only saying that based on my experience and friends. We call on You, Heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and to the sanctity of the Holy Spirit to bring answers, the right doctor, the right assessment, treatment and healing for our sister-in-Christ, Marilyn. Lord God, she is Your child and she leans on You to help her. She is crying out for the pain and confusion to end. She needs immediate relief Lord and a great sleep. Please Lord, bring Your healing touch upon her and give her comfort, peace and rest. Give her the immediate answers that she needs. In Jesus’ mighty Name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen. 💓
Agreeing with you Beverlee in prayer for Marilyn. Amen!
Yes, Amen, Beverlee: Marilyn you are a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and healer of our soul!!
Amen
here is a bit of trivia, especially if you are in a contest and asked when was baby Archie born ( he is in the Royal family) I believe he is the son of Prince Harry and Megan; anyway his birthday is May 6th, same is mine….so next time I enter a contest I will win big bucks because I know his birth date;;;
blessings to all ……
May you be healed according to the Word, “By my stripes you were healed,” Marilyn in Jesus Name. Amen.