Letters so far

Letters so farLetters so far

Ephesus was doctrinally pure but Ephesus was doctrinally pure but lacked heart.lacked heart.

Smyrna faced severe persecution and Smyrna faced severe persecution and needed steadfast courage.needed steadfast courage.

Pergamum…Pergamum…

PergamumPergamum

This letter is amazing that it has a This letter is amazing that it has a clear teaching on the Lord’s clear teaching on the Lord’s Supper not so evidently obvious Supper not so evidently obvious at first.at first.

Invented parchmentInvented parchment

Prior to the creation of parchment, Prior to the creation of parchment, manuscripts were transcribed on manuscripts were transcribed on papyrus, , which was produced only in Alexandria. which was produced only in Alexandria. When the Ptolemies of Egypt refused to When the Ptolemies of Egypt refused to export any more papyrus to Pergamum, export any more papyrus to Pergamum, King Eumenes II commanded that an King Eumenes II commanded that an alternative source be found. This led to the alternative source be found. This led to the production of parchment -- a thin sheet of production of parchment -- a thin sheet of sheep or goat skin. Parchment reduced the sheep or goat skin. Parchment reduced the Roman Empire’s dependency on Egyptian Roman Empire’s dependency on Egyptian papyrus. The introduction of parchment papyrus. The introduction of parchment also greatly expanded the holdings of the also greatly expanded the holdings of the Library of Pergamum. Library of Pergamum.

Letter to Pergamum Letter to Pergamum

Pergamum was the center of Pergamum was the center of emperor emperor worshipworship and had many other shrines and had many other shrines to various gods. It was a beautiful city to various gods. It was a beautiful city built to be an impregnable castle. It’s built to be an impregnable castle. It’s major claim to fame was its library. major claim to fame was its library. Scribes at Pergamum used expensive Scribes at Pergamum used expensive sheep and lambskins. They were sheep and lambskins. They were called called pergamena chartapergamena charta. The name . The name for Pergamum and our word for for Pergamum and our word for parchment parchment come from this luxurious come from this luxurious writing material in the city’s renown writing material in the city’s renown library.library.

Invented parchmentInvented parchment

Prior to the creation of parchment, Prior to the creation of parchment, manuscripts were transcribed on manuscripts were transcribed on papyrus, , which was produced only in Alexandria. which was produced only in Alexandria. When the Ptolemies of Egypt refused to When the Ptolemies of Egypt refused to export any more papyrus to Pergamum, export any more papyrus to Pergamum, King Eumenes II commanded that an King Eumenes II commanded that an alternative source be found. This led to the alternative source be found. This led to the production of parchment -- a thin sheet of production of parchment -- a thin sheet of sheep or goat skin. Parchment reduced the sheep or goat skin. Parchment reduced the Roman Empire’s dependency on Egyptian Roman Empire’s dependency on Egyptian papyrus. The introduction of parchment papyrus. The introduction of parchment also greatly expanded the holdings of the also greatly expanded the holdings of the Library of Pergamum. Library of Pergamum.


This city was actually an ancient fortified This city was actually an ancient fortified city from Thrace.city from Thrace.

The Thracian descendants in the region The Thracian descendants in the region became known as the Attaliads and became known as the Attaliads and established a kingdom that covered Asia established a kingdom that covered Asia Minor. This period established Minor. This period established Pergamum as a wealthy and important Pergamum as a wealthy and important city.city.

The city always supported artisans.The city always supported artisans. They believed low taxes were an They believed low taxes were an

incentive to stimulate the economy and incentive to stimulate the economy and the arts.the arts.


Emperor Tiberius invested heavily into Emperor Tiberius invested heavily into Pergamum and enjoyed his ego Pergamum and enjoyed his ego boosting worship. boosting worship. He used the serpent He used the serpent as his own personal motto.as his own personal motto. He died in He died in 37 A.D. but forthcoming emperors 37 A.D. but forthcoming emperors continued the worship of the emperor continued the worship of the emperor for themselves at Pergamum. Tiberius’ for themselves at Pergamum. Tiberius’ many serpent reliefs remained. To many serpent reliefs remained. To those who were familiar with the those who were familiar with the Scriptures, the serpents were easily Scriptures, the serpents were easily identifiable as symbols of Satan. identifiable as symbols of Satan.


The reference to Satan in this letter is The reference to Satan in this letter is the self-proclaimed god, Caeser.the self-proclaimed god, Caeser.

Domitian reigned from October 24, 51 Domitian reigned from October 24, 51 AD until September 18, 96 AD.AD until September 18, 96 AD.


The city required emperor The city required emperor worship among its citizens. At worship among its citizens. At times, persecution followed as times, persecution followed as this law was enforced.this law was enforced.


Temples to the emperor, Zeus, Temples to the emperor, Zeus, Athena, Dionysus, Ascelepis, Athena, Dionysus, Ascelepis, Serapis, Demeter, etc. have been Serapis, Demeter, etc. have been found. found.

Size of this preview

Size of this

Letter to Letter to PergamumPergamum

Size of this preview: 800 × 465 pixels

Sanctuary of Asclepius

Three kilometers south of the Acropolis in the valley, there was the Sanctuary of Asclepius (also known as the Asclepium), the god of healing. The Ascelpium was approached along a 820 meter colonnaded sacred way.


In this place people with health problems could bathe in the water of the sacred spring, and in the patients' dreams Asclepius would appear in a vision to tell them how to cure their illness. Archeology has found lots of gifts and dedications that people would make afterwards, such as small terracotta body parts,


no doubt representing what had been healed. Galen, the most famous doctor in the ancient Roman Empire and personal physician of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, worked at the Pergamum Asclepium for many years.

The Great LibraryThe Great Library

Being the world center of parchment and Being the world center of parchment and home to many who worked to transcribe home to many who worked to transcribe works, pergamum was home to a library works, pergamum was home to a library said to house approximately 200,000 said to house approximately 200,000 volumes, according to the writings of volumes, according to the writings of Plutarch. Built by Eumenes II and situated Plutarch. Built by Eumenes II and situated at the northern end of the Acropolis, it at the northern end of the Acropolis, it became one of the most important ancient became one of the most important ancient libraries. Legend has it that Mark Antony libraries. Legend has it that Mark Antony later gave Cleopatra all of the 200,000 later gave Cleopatra all of the 200,000 volumes at Pergamum for the Library at volumes at Pergamum for the Library at Alexandria as a wedding present, Alexandria as a wedding present, emptying the shelves. emptying the shelves.

Letter to PergamumLetter to Pergamum

NIV Revelation 2:12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live-- where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-- where Satan lives.

Two Edge SwordTwo Edge Sword

Pergamum was famous for words, Pergamum was famous for words, but Christ has THE ULTIMATE but Christ has THE ULTIMATE WORDS to pierce the heart.WORDS to pierce the heart.

Pergamum was famous for its Pergamum was famous for its hidden knowledge in books, but hidden knowledge in books, but Christ has the WORD that can Christ has the WORD that can pierce the heart.pierce the heart.


According to Christian tradition, John According to Christian tradition, John the Apostle ordained Antipas as bishop the Apostle ordained Antipas as bishop there during the reign of the Roman there during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian. The traditional emperor Domitian. The traditional account goes on to say Antipas was account goes on to say Antipas was martyred around 92 AD by being martyred around 92 AD by being burned in a pagan brazen bull-shaped burned in a pagan brazen bull-shaped altar. This would be four years before altar. This would be four years before John received this revelation.John received this revelation.


14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.


Balaam taught Midianite women Balaam taught Midianite women how to lead the Israelites astray how to lead the Israelites astray with sex (Numbers 25:1-2; 31:16; with sex (Numbers 25:1-2; 31:16; Jude 11). Pagan worship often Jude 11). Pagan worship often involved prostitutes who would be involved prostitutes who would be paid for services. This is why it is paid for services. This is why it is mentioned that followers of the mentioned that followers of the Nicolaitan sect were also at were also at Pergamum.Pergamum.

Nicolaitans???Nicolaitans??? Eusebius writes that Nicolas was a

moral man (Ecclesiastical History, 3.29). Here is the gist of Nicolas. He believed that the sexual libido was a hindrance to spirituality. Since many could not rid themselves of it, even with the greatest of piety, one ought curb these desires as best as possible.

Nicolaitans???Nicolaitans??? Nicolas taught that one could use a

woman to curb these desires so that one could focus on spirituality. This is why church members were visiting the temple prostitutes.

In other words, though he held himself up as sincere and devout follower, Nicolas taught that faith was a matter of the heart and that bodily actions were an entirely separate matter.

Nicolaitans???Nicolaitans??? Over the years, however, this

teaching took on a more Gnostic spin: Since the flesh is unimportant, even contemptible, what one does in the flesh is of no consequence. Spiritual life, growth and ultimately salvation occur in the soul, and since God is spirit, He has no regard for the flesh or its animalistic desires that need be released and curbed.


16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 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. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.


Sword of the mouth.– The Word of God would not stand for this.– The congregation might be danger of the

Word no longer shared.– The members who did not repent might be

excommunicated.


The hidden manna is taken by many to The hidden manna is taken by many to mean the Lord’s Supper which is a gift mean the Lord’s Supper which is a gift to sustain those who journey to the to sustain those who journey to the promised land. Only those who repent promised land. Only those who repent would now be allowed to the Lord’s would now be allowed to the Lord’s Supper at Pergamum. Exclusion from Supper at Pergamum. Exclusion from the Lord’s Table for open and the Lord’s Table for open and unrepentant immorality was common unrepentant immorality was common in the early church.in the early church.


The White Stone looks like a piece of The White Stone looks like a piece of bread in Communion.bread in Communion.

Once the litigants and men speaking in Once the litigants and men speaking in their behalf made their presentations—their behalf made their presentations—the number and length of the speeches the number and length of the speeches varied with the sort of case being heardvaried with the sort of case being heard—the jury proceeded at once to cast —the jury proceeded at once to cast their ballots. In the Athenian system, their ballots. In the Athenian system, jurors were ordinary local citizens.jurors were ordinary local citizens.


There was no formal deliberation, There was no formal deliberation, though the unruly shouting might have though the unruly shouting might have served as a primitive substitute. served as a primitive substitute. “Cast” is no metaphor, since Athenian “Cast” is no metaphor, since Athenian jurors voted by dropping ballots into jurors voted by dropping ballots into baskets. baskets.


The jurors marched past two urns, and The jurors marched past two urns, and dropped the ballots to be counted into dropped the ballots to be counted into one basket, the ballots to be discarded one basket, the ballots to be discarded into another. By holding thumb and into another. By holding thumb and forefinger over the axle ends, the forefinger over the axle ends, the jurors were able to conceal their vote jurors were able to conceal their vote from onlookers. The ballots were from onlookers. The ballots were immediately counted and the totals immediately counted and the totals announced.announced.


The White Stone…The White Stone… Token of InnocenceToken of Innocence - A white pebble was - A white pebble was

placed in a ballot box by (an) appointed placed in a ballot box by (an) appointed judge(s) pronouncing a sentence of judge(s) pronouncing a sentence of acquittal (a black pebble indicated acquittal (a black pebble indicated condemnation). condemnation).

BUT THIS VERDICT WAS KNOWN TO ALL.BUT THIS VERDICT WAS KNOWN TO ALL.

“This is known only to him who receives it”


The White Stone…The White Stone… Token of PrivilegeToken of Privilege - A tessera was given - A tessera was given

at Olympic games to the victor. This at Olympic games to the victor. This exempted him from any future harm. exempted him from any future harm. Many such tokens survive. They bear the Many such tokens survive. They bear the name of a man, the letters ‘SP’, and the name of a man, the letters ‘SP’, and the day and year, often incised in sequence day and year, often incised in sequence on the four faces.on the four faces.

THIS VERDICT WOULD BE REVEALED AS THIS VERDICT WOULD BE REVEALED AS REQUIRED.REQUIRED.


The White Stone…The White Stone… Token of Asklepios Secret Society Token of Asklepios Secret Society

– If someone was received into the – If someone was received into the secret cult of Asklepios, they would be secret cult of Asklepios, they would be handed a white stone on January 1handed a white stone on January 1stst. . This special stone would identify them This special stone would identify them as one of their own. With the reference as one of their own. With the reference to mysteries in this letter, there is to mysteries in this letter, there is strong support for this understanding.strong support for this understanding.

Closed Communion?Closed Communion?

Just as 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, Just as 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, says Communion is not for those says Communion is not for those who worship other religions, here who worship other religions, here we see that Communion (the we see that Communion (the Manna with the promise of new Manna with the promise of new life) is not to be received by those life) is not to be received by those who are sexually immoral and not who are sexually immoral and not desiring to repent.desiring to repent.


The new name has a few possible The new name has a few possible meanings. Someone is free from meanings. Someone is free from their old life.their old life.– Abram to Abraham.Abram to Abraham.– Sarai to Sarah.Sarai to Sarah.– Jacob to Israel.Jacob to Israel.– Yeshua to Joshua.Yeshua to Joshua.– Saul to Paul.Saul to Paul.


1. A literal new name.1. A literal new name. NIV Isaiah 62:2 The nations will see NIV Isaiah 62:2 The nations will see

your righteousness, and all kings your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. See also LORD will bestow. See also Isaiah Isaiah 65:1565:15..

Examples of this are Abram – Abraham, Examples of this are Abram – Abraham, Sarai – Sarah, Jacob – Israel, Simon – Sarai – Sarah, Jacob – Israel, Simon – Peter, Saul – Paul.Peter, Saul – Paul.


2. And the new name of the Lord which is 2. And the new name of the Lord which is revealed in the New Testament. The Triune revealed in the New Testament. The Triune name is placed upon a person in Baptism and name is placed upon a person in Baptism and is experienced (known by familiarity) by the is experienced (known by familiarity) by the elect.elect.

NIV Revelation 3:12 Him who overcomes I NIV Revelation 3:12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.on him my new name.

ApplicationApplication The Church should not condone or

license sexual immorality. Each Christian should learn to control himself or herself in a pleasing way.

Communion identifies repentance and shares forgiveness received in Sacrament so that previous guilt does not remain (the white stone).

ApplicationApplication

What sexual immorality is overlooked in What sexual immorality is overlooked in churches?churches?

NIV Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

NIV Acts 15:20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.

Letters so far

Documents

Transcript of Letters so far