No 21

(Pergamus, Thyatira, Sardis)

Pergamos. In Revelation 2:12 -17 we read what the Lord said “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” Note the phrase “where thou dwellest”; they were in a bad neighborhood. The ruins of ancient Pergamos indicate that there were several temples to pagan gods such as: Zeus, Athena, and Dionysus. Also this city was the capital of the Asian part of the Roman Empire. It has been dubbed the compromising church and it is compared to the period of the Christian Church when Constantine was emperor in Rome (306 to 337 AD).

Thyatira. In Revelation 2: 18-29; the Lord said about this church “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols” Its ruins tell us that this city was a centre of well-rganized trade and commerce; we all know wherever there is commerce and trade, corruption is not far. It bears the unenviable name of the corrupt church and is compared to the period of the Christian Church during the papal apostasy.

Sardis. In Revelation 3:1 – 6, we read “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” Only a few of the members of this church were commended for purity “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” In general terms, extreme formalism characterized this church and spiritual death was imminent. For that very reason, it is called the dying church and is compared to the period of the Christian Church during the Middle Ages when the Bible went underground.