The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 1836 Rev. kc 5

If someone left you a fortune, and recorded it in his last will and testament,
but the will laid on the coffee table and no one read it,
then you wouldn't know about the fortune and consequently you couldn't claim it.

Just as a reminder, and for those who have recently joined our study,
we saw a Picture in chapter 1 of Revelation, where Jesus Christ, in His glorified body,
was standing in the midst of seven candlesticks (churches),
with seven stars (representing angels) in His right hand,
and a sharp twoedged sword (the Word of God) proceeded out of His mouth.

Christ then turned to each church and began addressing them,
noting their doctrines and giving to them His instructions.

He uses His servant John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, and takes him in the spirit, to the day of the Lord,
i.e. the first day of the Millennium,
to record His words to the churches which are present THEN, in the 2000s, even now, not in 96 A.D, at His coming.

Here is something to think about,
"If you don't know something, then you don't know that you don't know it.

Furthermore, how in the world would you know that you were supposed to know it?"

Our people have been kept so ignorant about God's Word
that they have no idea that it was written personally to them by their Father who loves them
so much and has given them blessings and an inheritance beyond their wildest dreams!

It is His will and testament.

It is even called "Testament", both the Old and the New.

 Sure they may love their Father, but they have to claim His will!

For example, if someone left you a fortune, and recorded it in his last will and testament,
but the will laid on the coffee table and no one read it,
then you wouldn't know about the fortune and consequently you couldn't claim it.

Meanwhile you struggle through life wondering why you are so "unblessed".

Worse yet, professional "will readers", with seminary degrees in "will reading",
who claim to have read and studied the will, tell you come back "faithfully" every Sunday
and they shall explain what the will says.
The problem is, they never quite get around to explaining the will,
but they never, ever, forget to pass the golden, felt lined plate.

Keep that in mind as we now move on to the church in Permagos.

Historically the Permagosians (can that be a word?) were worshippers of Apollo to whom the title of soter,
which means "savior", was given and whose emblem was a serpent.

"Some even trace the Babylonian pagan priesthood as removing to Pergamos."
(See note on Rev. 2:12 in the Companion Bible).

In any event, they had adopted a great many pagan rituals into their worship.
Ever see that in today's churches, easter eggs, bunnies, etc.?

However, remember where John has been taken to, the day of Lord, the first day of the Millennium, which is yet future, but not very far away, in fact, I believe just around the corner.

Let's see what Christ has to say to them.

Rev. 2:12
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
This church is reminded right away of His sharp sword that has two edges,
i.e. His word that proceeds out of His mouth.

The church in Pergamos is about to get a "tongue lashing" with the sharpest tongue in the universe.

[13] 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.
It looks like this church has "made their bed" right where Satan dwells.

I'm sure they believe he is the real thing, for most of the world will! when Satan appears at the six trump
(which we will learn about in this Book of Revelation),
he will claim to be Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

You should remember from kindergarten (or Sesame Street) that the number 6 comes before the number 7.

It is at the 6th Trump that Satan is cast out of heaven onto this earth (Rev. 12:7-9),
to play the role of the spurious messiah.

We don't gather back to Christ until the 7th Trump, the very last one!

The apostle Paul WARNS us what will happen before we gather back to Jesus at the 7th Trump.

2 Thes. 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2 Thes. 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

The "that day" is the day we gather back to Christ.

And the son of "perdition" is the son who will "perish" (in the lake of fire).

That's Satan.

He's as good as dead which is why he is also called "Death".

[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Antichrist (anti in Greek means "instead of"), who is Satan,
will sit in temple of God claiming that he is God.

He's a supernatural archangel and he will put on quite a show in the sight of men!

And the name he will go by is "Jesus".

Do you know what this means?

There are two Jesus', two Gods,the real and the imposter.

Most people don't know the difference. Do you?

Will you at that time?

Well, there will be one person in the church of Pergamos who will know the difference
between the two and he will be martyred.

His name, no doubt derived from his reputation, is Antipas which means "anti-father",
and yet Jesus calls him His faithful martyr.

He is faithful in telling the Biblically illiterate of the church of Pergamos
that the dude who sits in the temple claiming to be God "Ain't the Father".

Six comes before seven, don't you know?

Note: At the time of the crucifixion the people were given the choice to release one of two prisoners, Jesus, the Son of the Father, or Bar-abbas, which means "son of the father" (bar = son, abba = father). Two sons of two different fathers. Amazing, isn't it? They chose the latter.

Let's return to Revelation chapter 2.

Rev. 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Uh oh! This church has multiple problems, "a few things" wrong.

1.) They've got the "Balaam Syndrome". Balaam was a true priest of Israel all right, but if one takes the time to read the account they will find he preached to Balac, i.e. the Moabites, for MONEY. Know any churches like that? Do you know any churches that concentrate on fund raisers, pledges of money, pass the plate, building funds, etc, etc.

In fact at one point Balaam had his ass so loaded with "donations" that God intervened with an angel and had the ass speak to Balaam to bring him to his senses.

You know, it seems like every time I hear a sermon on TV by certain "will readers", I learn how blessed I'll be if I send money to them. Balaam lives on!

[15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
2.) They got "hanky panky" going on, too! We addressed this in the church of Ephesus.
[16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
REPENT! That is a strong command, and He means it!

If they don't, guess what?

They'll get a lesson in sword fighting!

Here is a word of wisdom!

If there is one person in this universe you don't want to get into a sword fight with, it's Jesus Christ.

I don't care if your name is Zorro or Luke Skywalker!

Rev. 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
This time Christ says if we have those "ears to hear" we better pay attention to what the Spirit,
i.e. Jesus Christ, is saying to these churches, ALL of them.

It is extremely important, a matter of eternal life or death.

What is this manna spoken of here?

Manna is the angel's food that our Father fed His children with in the wilderness of Sinai.

It is symbolic of the truth, i.e. the bread of life, which our Father feeds His children in today's wilderness,
during this time of the great famine spoken of in Matthew 24 and Mark 13.

"What?.. I don't see a great famine!"

Maybe you also need "eyes to see".

Look into the Book of Amos and "see" what is revealed concerning the famine of the end time.

Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
There's just no time to prepare a meal with real meat for God's children.

There's too much Balaam going on.

Give 'em a little morsel and then "Bail-'em", the money that is.

Now, notice in Rev 2:17 that there is "hidden" manna, i.e. hidden truth.

Some will ask, "Why is it that truth is hidden in the Bible?"

The answer is,"So that when you go looking for it, you can find it!"

Actually, all you need are "eyes to see" and "ears to hear"
and it becomes revealed, uncovered, as it is right here in the great Book of Revelation.

We will address the white stone and the new name in a subsequent study.

Meanwhile, here's some good advice, "Get out of Pergamos".

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.



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