Hold On To Jesus Christ

1. The Throne of Satan

Jesus calls Pergamum, the place where the throne of Satan is, where Satan lives. The throne represents the center of power and authority. Pergamum was the provincial capital of Asia Minor. It was also a center for the pagan cults of various deities. In the middle of the city was a high hill that could be seen from miles away. On this hill and its slopes were built many temples for various Greek and Egyptian deities. There was the shrine of Asclepius, the Greek God of healing. This cult was so popular that the serpent, the symbol of Asclepius, became one of the city’s emblems. On the top of the hill was the temple of Athena, the city’s patron goddess, and next to it was the massive altar to honor Zeus. These prominent landmarks dominated the landscape. Perhaps the throne of Satan refers to the throne-like altar of Zeus.

Pergamum was also the seat of the Roman governor and a major center for the imperial cult. It was the first city in Asia that received twice the title, neokoros or temple warden, for the temples it built for the Roman emperors. Most likely, the throne of Satan refers to the Roman authorities and the imperial cult. Either way, Pergamum was seen as a stronghold of Satan. In such an atmosphere it would be challenging for Christians to remain faithful to Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Today, we are living in a broken, sinful world dominated by the rule, the throne of Satan. Therefore, we must be strong in the Lord. We must put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:10-12). For us to be strong in the Lord we must take a hold of and hold fast to the Name of Jesus Christ and never deny our faith in Him.

2. Take a Hold and Hold On to the Name of Jesus

Jesus commends the church that, in the midst of Satan’s stronghold, they held on to his Name and they did not deny their faith in Him. They remained faithful witnesses even when severe persecution came that led to the death of Antipas, whom Jesus calls my faithful witness. This is the same title used for Jesus in Rev. 1:5. He followed Jesus’ example. He witnessed faithfully and remained faithful in obedience to his Lord, even to death. This brings us back to the repeated theme in Revelation — We overcome by remaining faithful in our witness to Jesus in all circumstances even if it brings about suffering and death.

Are we faithful witnesses? Are we willing to use all our resources and pay whatever price necessary to share the gospel? Studies indicate that the vast majority of evangelical Christians today never share their faith with non-believers. When was the last time we explained the gospel, the way of salvation, and God’s love to someone? It’s not enough just to pray for their salvation. If we pray for our Lord’s return we must also be ready to share the gospel. Until He comes back, we must proclaim the gospel without ceasing, relentlessly. Making disciples is the call of every believer and with witnessing comes suffering. Revelation prohibits us loving our lives more than Jesus. It calls us to follow the example of Jesus and Antipas, to be faithful witnesses, no matter what the cost.

3. Do Not Hold On to False Teachings

And now, using the same Greek word for holding on to something, Jesus presents us with a contrast. He commends the church for holding on to His Name, but in contrast, there are some of them who are holding on to the false teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans.

King Balak of Moab hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel (Num. 22:5–24:25) but God prevented him from doing so. Balaam was greedy, so he designed another plan with the king.  They sent the Moabite women to entice the Israelites. The men indulged in sexual immorality, ate the meat sacrificed to the idols, and worshipped the pagan gods. The Lord sent a plague upon Israel. Only when Moses executed the leaders of the people, was the plague lifted. Balaam became the symbol for false teachers who for money influence believers to compromise and be unfaithful to God.

To be a Christian in Pergamum was a high-risk endeavor. Your safety, security, prosperity, peace, relationships, and position in society, all these were at risk, even your life. The false teachers taught that it’s okay to compromise. The social pressure of the surrounding culture on the believers was tremendous. They became tired of being different, of being excluded, and living in danger. There’s no point standing out. We are part of this society. So, let’s go with the flow. Let’s be flexible. You can participate in the pagan cultic practices and still be a Christian.

But, when you participate in these and eat the meat sacrificed to the idols, you participate in the worship of those idols. When you indulge in sexual immorality during the festivals or at the temples it is an act of worship. This compromise leads all the way to cultural assimilation. In Ephesus, the problem was an overemphasis on internal doctrinal purity that led to a lack of love and concern for the outside world. Here, the deemphasis of the Lord’s truth led to an over-identification with the world, becoming like the world. And part of the problem was that the church tolerated these false teachers and their teachings.

To all this, Jesus says no. He calls them to repentance. They must deal with the sin in their midst. And if they do not, He warns them that He will come soon and do battle with them with the sword of his mouth. The sharp double-edged sword coming out of his mouth is His Word. His Word teaches us truth. His Word proclaims judgment on sin and disobedience. It also proclaims salvation for those who repent. His Word either gives life or it kills. In this way, Jesus does battle not only against the evil nations (Rev 19:15) but also against all those believers who compromise their faith (2:16).

The sword of Christ speaks also against the throne of Satan. The Roman governor had the title, The Sword of Rome. The governor had the power and authority to decide who lives and who dies. But Jesus says no. He is the Lord of Life and He yields the sword, the power over life and death. Christ’s throne is sovereign over Satan’s and Satan’s representatives who wrongly use the God-ordained power of the sword. They and Satan will be destroyed in the final judgment, also portrayed by the sword as we see in Rev 19:15,21.

4. What Are Our Idols?

Let’s pause and reflect on the following questions. Where are we compromising with the world? What are the challenges and things of this world that makes it difficult for us as believers — the challenges that we would like to avoid, reduce, reason away, or compromise with? What sins and false teachings are we tolerating within the church?

We compromise with the world when we justify and make excuses for cultural values and practices which are incompatible with our Lord’s teachings and kingdom values. We fudge the biblical teachings, and soften the harshness of God’s truths. There is a growing trend among Christians to justify sex before and outside of marriage. Some believers seem to be embarrassed by a loving God that sends sinners to hell. They soften God’s judgment and preach a gospel of cheap grace that allows compromise and tolerates sin. Oh, and don’t teach about suffering, about taking up your cross and dying to self to follow Jesus. Following Jesus means to be happy, healthy, and wealthy. Just pray and trust God enough and He will give you everything that your heart desires. Many sermons today are psychological and emotional pep rallies, some are even political rallies — all serving to make people feel good about themselves.

We have to be careful of false teachings. They are deceptive. They sound good and true. By using a few Bible verses and throwing God and the Name of Jesus into the mix, we give them a biblical and Christian veneer, but when we dig deeper we discover that they are unbiblical and unChristianly. We compromise with the world when we sanctify the values of the culture by providing theological justifications for them and attributing them to God.

What are the idols in our lives? In North America we have plenty of idols — materialism, sports, celebrities, entertainment, comfort, politics, and the list goes on. We see Christians deeply committed to their own material advancement, spending countless hours each week on entertainment or being so busy with living life that they don’t have time to spend with God and learn from his Word. Each and every one of us must deal with this question with brutal honesty in prayer. Who is actually ruling my life? Who is sitting on the throne of my life and my heart?

When we value what the world does instead of valuing the kingdom, we relinquish our role as witnesses for God’s kingdom. When we have too much of the world in the church and in our lives, we become indistinguishable from our culture. When we affirm what the world affirms and lives as the world does, then we have lost our edge, our radical distinctiveness as God’s kingdom people. Jesus’ warning is also for us. I want us to take these questions seriously. Please go home, pray about them, and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Be open, and listen to what the Spirit is saying.

5. Eternal Presence, Fellowship, Identity & A Wedding Feast

Take a hold and hold on fast to the Name of Jesus. Do not deny your faith in Him. This is how we are victorious. We overcome by standing strong against any compromise, by remaining faithful in the face of opposition, and by removing such teachings from our midst. And to us who hold on to his Name, Jesus promises his eternal presence and fellowship.

He will give us the hidden manna. Living in this world, we are like the Israelites in the wilderness. There God provided and fed his people with the manna, the bread from heaven. Jesus will do the same for us. He is present with us. He feeds us. We don’t need to eat any of the idolatrous food offered by this world. The manna also symbolizes our eternal fellowship with Christ where we will have an unlimited supply of manna, the living bread, eternal life.

He will give us a white stone with a new name written on it. White is the color for purity, holiness, and righteousness. We have been washed clean with the blood of Christ and made righteous. In those days white and black stones were used by juries to deliver their sentences. A white stone means that you are acquitted, not guilty. Because of Jesus Christ, we have been declared not guilty. White stones also served as admission passes to special occasions. This white stone is our invitation and admission to take part in the wedding supper of the Lamb. “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” (Rev 19:9)

On it is written a new name because we are new creations in Christ. This name is the “name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem” (Rev 3:12). It is the Name of the Lamb that will be on the foreheads of his servants (Rev 22:4). It is the Name of Jesus that is written upon himself. It is this name, “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev 19:12,16). This Name on the white stone gives us our new identity. It identifies us as his kingdom people. It tells us that we will forever experience the presence and fellowship of God and Christ — “the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him; and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads” (Rev 22:3-4).

Pergamum had many temples and idols. They had gods and goddesses for every area of life. Jesus comes and tells them that they don’t need any of those idols. He tells us that we don’t need any of the idols that this world is offering and tempting us with. Because Jesus is the eternal source and Lord of all life. He is the eternal source of all wisdom. He is our eternal Provider, Sustainer, and Protector. He is our Healer. Jesus Christ is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Take a hold of and hold on fast to the Name of Jesus Christ.