In the book of Revelation, Jesus issues a powerful message to the church at Pergamos—an environment fraught with the dangers of idolatry and satanic influence. In this episode, we explore the significance of unwavering faith and personal loyalty to the name of Jesus Christ amidst adversity. Learn why public confession is paramount and how these timeless truths are still relevant in navigating today’s moral crises.
Pergamos was a dangerous environment to the Christians. We know now about all the cities in this Asia Minor area. They were dedicated to Satanism and the occult, and it dominated the environment, and it was difficult to be a Christian. There was pressure everywhere. But it was not only dangerous from the standpoint of satanic conflict, but in terms of spiritual commitment. Look at verse 13 again. The key battleground for the Christians has always been the same. It’s the deity of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God in human flesh.
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Thank you.
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You’re listening to Hope for Today with Bible teacher David Honking as we open to one of the most startling statements Jesus ever made to a church. In Revelation chapter 2, verses 12 through 13, he calls Pergamos where Satan dwells. You see, this was a city drenched in idolatry, hostile to the truth, and deadly for those who dared to stand firm. And yet, this church did. They refused to back down. Today, David shows us why their courage matters and why it’s a call that we need to hear right now. Open your Bible. Our study begins in just a moment. First, Matt and I want to tell you how you can get even more out of our current study in the book of Revelation. Matt?
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A most helpful tool we have for you is my dad’s original sermon notes, his outlines for the messages in our current radio series through Revelation.
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Matt, these provide key points, references, and an outline that will help listeners keep track along with David and get the most out of our daily study time for the series.
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The Revelation sermon notes are just $10 by download or PDF CD. Go to davidhocking.org or call… In Canada at 1-888-75-BIBLE. In the U.S., call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE. And Bible by the Numbers is 242-53.
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And also please know that your resource purchase or donation right now will help the Ministries of Hope for today and make you a co-laborer in the work with us. And here’s David.
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Well, let’s take our Bibles and turn to Revelation chapter 2. Religious Compromise. Revelation chapter 2, beginning at verse 12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, These things saith he who hath the sharp sword with two edges. I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is, or throne. And thou holdest fast my name and hast not denied my faith, even in those days in which Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam. who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things, sacrifice them to idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 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 save or except he that receiveth it. According to verse 13, Pergamos was a dangerous environment. Simple point, Pergamos was a dangerous environment. There are two areas in which this environment was so dangerous at Pergamos, especially the Christians. One is in terms of satanic conflict, and another one deals with spiritual commitment. The position of the enemy is stated here in verse 13. It has fascinated Bible students for years when it says, I know thy works and where thou dwellest, a dangerous environment, even where Satan’s seat or throne is. The last part of the verse says, where Satan dwelleth. The position of the enemy is presented to us, Satan’s throne. some have suggested that it is a reference to the giant altar to Zeus on the Acropolis. That giant altar on Zeus on the Acropolis has an interesting history. The pagan worship behind this is directly traceable to the worship of Baal, or we say Baal, which is mentioned so often in the struggles of Israel with its pagan environment. After the fall of Babylon… to the Medo-Persian Empire, and the destruction of its temples, the high priest of the Babylonian religion fled with his initiates and their sacred vessels and images, and guess where they came? They came to Pergamos. So what you have happening here at Pergamos is vitally related, not only to what you read in the Old Testament about Baal worship, but goes all the way back to the Babylonian religion. And Satan’s throne is here, he said. He’s working uniquely in the world to the Babylonian religion. Very, very occultic, very, very dangerous. But it goes on, and it goes on today. But not only the position of the enemy, he says Satan’s throne, it could very well be that altar of Zeus that he was referring to, but the very presence of the enemy, it says in the text in verse 13 where Satan dwells. And Bible scholars through the ages who’ve studied the book of Revelation keep asking, is that to be taken literally or symbolically? Why is that a problem? Because Satan is not omnipresent. Only God is omnipresent. Only God can be everywhere at once. But through his demonic forces, perhaps it seems that he’s everywhere at once. And I want to ask you a question. Is it not possible… Is it not possible that Satan himself literally set up headquarters at Pergamos and that when John wrote this statement, he is referring to something that’s literal? Now, many people take it metaphorically. That is Satan’s influence. But it says Satan’s throne, and it says where Satan dwells. Remember at the beginning of our study, we talked about the symbolic language of Revelation. But there are no words like as or like here. He flat out says where Satan dwells. I find that very interesting. You see, Pergamos was a dangerous environment to the Christians. We know now about all the cities in this Asia Minor area. They were dedicated to Satanism and the occult, and it dominated the environment, and it was difficult to be a Christian. There was pressure everywhere. But it was not only dangerous from the standpoint of satanic conflict, but in terms of spiritual commitment. Look at verse 13 again. There are two statements here that indicate the difficulties which believers were experiencing. It says, Two issues here about spiritual commitment. One is personal loyalty. Thou holdest fast my name. The key battleground for the Christians has always been the same. It’s the deity of Jesus Christ. That’s still a major obstacle to our relationships with other people. The truth of the matter is that Christians reading their New Testament, and I believe reading it accurately, have come to believe that Jesus Christ is God in human flesh. Take your Bibles and turn to Matthew chapter 10. He said, you’ve held fast my name. The word name is used 800 times in the Old Testament, 200 in the New, never appears in the plural in reference to God. It is referring to the character and attributes of God, not a title. The name that is above every name. But in Matthew chapter 10, verse 32. Matthew chapter 10, verse 32 and 33. Here’s what we read. And it gives us an understanding of what loyalty is all about in terms of our spiritual commitment. Verse 32, Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. Loyalty to Jesus Christ is a very serious matter. And I think a lot of us who are evangelical Christians and have lived in this culture we call America, we have been very loose with this whole issue about our commitment to the name of Jesus Christ. Do you hold fast that name? Turn to Romans chapter 10. Let me show you how important it is according to the New Testament. Romans chapter 10, verse 9 and 10. It was always a key battleground throughout all history, and today it’s a major battle over the deity of Jesus Christ. Romans chapter 10, verse 9 and 10. It says that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, the Greek words for Lord and Jesus are what we call apposition. You could easily say Jesus as Lord. But either way, of course, it makes the same point. And shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be what? What does it say? Do you believe that you have to actually confess that Jesus is Lord in order to be saved? That’s what it says, isn’t it? Look at verse 10. Confession means to say the same thing, to agree. And it’s interesting that according to what Jesus said, If we confess him, we are his. If we deny it, we are not his. So confession and denial are antonyms. They’re exact opposites. Very interesting. Turn to Philippians chapter 2, verse 9 to 11. Philippians chapter 2, verse 9 to 11. After talking about the nature of Jesus Christ, as to who he really is, is he both God and man, and what does the Bible actually teach? It is a very serious discussion in verses 5 to 8. Now pick it up at verse 9, Philippians 2, 9. “…wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth, even the demonic world, and that every tongue should confess, there’s the word again, confess, was in Matthew 10, was in Romans 10, 9, and 10, that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is what? Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Is it necessary to believe that Jesus is Lord in order to be a Christian? Absolutely. And yet people in many, many so-called Christian circles are treating this matter so loosely. And what Jesus said to the church at Pergamos, watch out. Satan dwells there. There’s a lot of deception, a lot of confusion, a lot of hostility there. But are you holding fast to my name? We are talking personal loyalty to Jesus Christ. Go to 1 John chapter 2, the same writer of Revelation, and look at what he says. 1 John chapter 2, verses 18 to 24. It’s a very difficult subject. Why? Because there are many people that proclaim that Jesus is not God in human flesh. They say you can’t be the son of God and be God at the same time. And yet the word son is huios. in the Greek language, referring to an heir. Not once does the Bible ever use the word technos or technia or brephos, words dealing with babies and children that are born. Never once uses that of Jesus Christ, ever. Jesus is never called the little born one of God, ever. He’s called the one who will be the recipient of the inheritance, exactly like Psalm 2 says the Messiah will receive, but he is never called a little born one of God. Is he God? Does it mean when you confess that he is Lord, does that mean you’re confessing that he’s God? This is a very difficult subject. Look at 1 John 2, verse 18, and you’ll see how serious the matter is of our loyalty to the name of Jesus Christ. Verse 18, little children, it is the last time. And as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now there are many Antichrists, by which we know it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us. In other words, they’ll be right in your midst. For if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us. But they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written unto you because you know not the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah? He’s an antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father. He that confesseth the Son hath the Father also. Verse 26, These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. Historic Christianity stands on what the Bible actually says. And we must confess that Jesus is Lord or we are not saved. Amen? It’s very important. Go back to Revelation chapter 2 again, verse 13. He not only said, hold fast my name, he said, you have not denied my faith. And the issue here is public confession. After we read those verses, we saw that confession is the opposite of denial. So when he said, you have not denied my faith, He’s talking about public confession. Is it possible that you would say to me, David, I have personal loyalty to Jesus Christ, but you would be unwilling in a dangerous environment to publicly confess that fact? Listen, Christians by the thousands in the early centuries to avoid persecution by Rome went ahead and compromised and did not publicly confess their faith even though they had inward loyalty. Paul wrote in Romans 1.16, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek or the Gentile. Interesting that he mentions a man here named Antipas. Is that a real name of somebody? Well, apparently so. It isn’t treated any other way, but I just love the fact that it is a very obvious name point here in the name. The word Antipas means against all. Here’s somebody who was martyred for their faith, whose name means that he perhaps had to stand alone for his faith against all who were opposing him. And he is honored by our Lord, and his name is in the Bible. Turn back to Luke 22. You say, well, I would never deny my Lord. Luke chapter 22. Look at verse 31. The Lord said to Peter, do you remember it? Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I’m ready to go with thee both into prison and to death. He said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Maybe like Peter, you would stand up right now and say, I will never deny the Lord. Jesus said, you know, Peter, Satan wants to sift you like wheat. We sometimes underestimate the power of the enemy. the strategies of the devil to get us to weaken in a crisis. I want you to go down in that chapter to verse 54 now and read the story with me. Follow along as I read. Then took they him and led him and brought him into the high priest’s house, and Peter followed afar off. First mistake. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court and were seated together, Peter sat down among them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And after about the space of one hour, another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth, this fellow also was with him, for he’s a Galilean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. One of the gospel writers says that he was cursing also. And immediately while he yet spoke, the cock crowed. And is this a beautiful scene or what? Verse 61. And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out and wept bitterly. Satan’s going to sift you as wheat, Peter, but I prayed for you. Isn’t it great to know that you have the greatest prayer warrior you ever needed in your life praying for you? He denied the Lord. He wept bitterly. His heart was broken. But imagine, imagine 50 days later, this guy is a dynamo on the day of Pentecost. Can God pick up the broken pieces of somebody’s life and put them back together? Don’t you ever forget it. It is so important.
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powerful words, powerful words of encouragement from Bible teacher and author David Hawking. And you’re listening to Hope for Today. David will return in just a moment to bring our time in the Word of God to a close today, some additional teaching. So do stay with us. First, friends, it only takes seconds of being online or watching the TV to see how far this world has fallen. You see it, I see it. And if it seems worse than ever, you’re not imagining things. David’s son Matt and I have a great study tool that will help you see what God’s word has to say about the rampant debauchery going on in society and also a ray of hope.
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Whatever happened to morality? This engaging question is the title of our featured resource by my dad for July.
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And we want to send you a copy when you join us in ministry with a donation of $20 or more.
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You know, Jim, our culture today is struggling desperately because it’s working feverishly against biblical principles and moral values. This war against God’s will and loving boundaries is like little we’ve seen before. Unbridled pleasure, worship of material gain, dehumanizing the unborn. Embracing contradictions as truth, like all paths lead to God, for example.
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We see that a lot, don’t we?
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Our culture is in a state of rapid decline and descent into chaos. It reminds me of the assessment of Romans 1, 22 to 23. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. So what did happen?
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to morality. How do we end up in this sorry condition and what does scripture declare about it?
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And Matt, is there any hope? Yeah, how can believers be a shining light of testimony? What do we say, Jim, to this and the next generation? Those questions are so, so important. You’re going to find the trustworthy answers from God’s word inside whatever happened to morality.
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Whatever happened to morality, the future survival of America and every nation is our gift to you when you contribute $20 or more this month. Prayerfully consider our donation. Give generously as God leads and provides.
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And you will find reassuring insight and encouragement inside the 278 pages of Whatever Happened to Morality.
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And your donation makes you a partner with us in ministry. Get your copy of Whatever Happened to Morality by calling 800-75-BIBLE in the U.S. That’s 800-75-24253. or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. Again, that’s 888-75-242-53. And you can also order online on our website, davidhawking.org. That’s davidhawking.org. And be sure to pick up a copy of David’s sermon notes for our current series in Revelation. When you reach out, the sermon notes are just $10 for the complete pack that covers all 48 messages in the series. And quickly before David returns, let me ask you something from the heart. When was the last time you wrote to Hope for Today? Well, maybe you never have. Maybe you’ve been listening for years or just recently tuned in. Either way, we’d love to hear from you. Not just to say hello, but to pray for you, to hear your story, or to lift up things that matter most in your life before the Lord. And if this ministry has spoken to you in a deep way, challenged you, strengthened you, or helped you to see Jesus more clearly, would you consider supporting it? We can’t do this without friends who care, who give, who pray, and who believe in the uncompromising biblical teaching that you hear on Hope for Today. You can write to us at Hope for Today, Box 3927, Tustin, California, 92781. In Canada, write to Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO 7 Oaks, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 8P1. You can also share a prayer request, send a gift, or learn more about this ministry at davidhawking.org. And from all of us, thank you for standing with this ministry. Well, as promised, here again is David.
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Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed our study. We’re just getting started with the church at Pergamos in verses 12 and 13. And we’ve got a lot to say, so we’re going to have to have more broadcasts and just one more. We’re going to probably have four more. And I hope that it will really hit a nerve with all of us that we’ll understand what At the religious compromise mentioned by our Lord in Revelation 2, boy, is it ever with us these days. We have many churches that no longer teach systematically through the books of the Bible. They bring their own opinions into the pulpit. And they talk about everything under the sun except God’s Word. Wow. Boy, do we need a revival of the Word of God. Amos told us that in the last days there would be a famine for the Word of God. Well, that famine is here. And folks write us all the time about, ìI live in such and such a place. Do you know of any Bible-teaching church in our area?î And that has become a serious, serious problem. And I hope that our messages from Revelation about what the Lord had to say to the churches will open our eyes and lead us to godly repentance, which is the message of this church as well as others in the list. So plan to be with us. We’re looking forward to a great time in the Word. So God bless you.
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Well, thank you, David. And friend, if you missed any part of today’s message or maybe you missed a recent broadcast and you want to hear it again, just head over to davidhawking.org and click on the radio button to stream the most recent broadcast anytime, anywhere. And next time on the program, David takes us back to Revelation chapter 2 with an inspiring look at a church that had started out well but began to sink into compromise. It’s sharp, straight, and it is exactly what the church needs to hear today. Don’t miss it and invite a friend to listen along with you right here on Hope for Today. Hope for Today
In the book of Revelation, Jesus issues a powerful message to the church at Pergamos—an environment fraught with the dangers of idolatry and satanic influence. In this episode, we explore the significance of unwavering faith and personal loyalty to the name of Jesus Christ amidst adversity. Learn why public confession is paramount and how these timeless truths are still relevant in navigating today’s moral crises.
