Session 4 Recap: H.B. Charles Jr., "Pergamum"

Editor’s Note: Michael Kelshaw is the Preaching Pastor at Trinity at the Marketplace in Albuquerque, NM. He is a member of the Albuquerque Chapter of The Gospel Coalition. This post is a summary of H.B. Charles Jr.’s message from Saturday morning at Clarus, March 2, “Pergamum,” from Revelation 2.

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In session 4, H. B. Charles Jr. unpacked the letter to the church in Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17, showing us the importance of the truth. This letter tells us that truth matters and that it must matter to the church. Dr. Charles gave us four reasons why the church must content for the truth.

1. Because of the Authority of Christ (v. 12) – Jesus has the sharp two-edged sword. Jesus is the final judge, His Word is completely authoritative, and He has the last word. This sword is a two-edged sword, which addresses both the sin within and Satan without, and Jesus addresses these words to the church to warn them about the danger of spiritual compromise as well as the reality of persecution.

2. Because of the Assurance of Persecution (v. 13) – All who would live a godly life in Christ Jesus will face persecution. But wonderfully, Jesus knows! He knows where they live, He knows the political, cultural, and religious circumstances in which they live. The Lord knows all of the spiritual warfare that we are engaged in as His followers, and in the midst of all of these difficult circumstances they remained devoted to Jesus and they did not deny His faith and they stood as faithful witnesses by His good grace.

3. Because of the Perversion of Sin (vv. 14-16) – Balaam paid a prophet to speak curses on the people of God, and when that did not work he taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of God. The teaching of Nicolaitans included putting a stumbling block before the people of God to undermine them from within and try and cause them to compromise. The Lord Jesus tells the church how to respond to this. We are to repent! We are to turn from sin and return to the Lord.

4. Because of the Promises of Christ (v. 17) – The hidden manna, the white stone, and the new name all stress the assurance and intimacy and blessing of the promises of Jesus. The Lord Jesus knows and sustains and reigns over His people. Jesus is telling His people very affectionately that they are His.

So, Christian believer, by His grace, remain faithful to Jesus in the midst of persecution without compromise. He knows you, and you are His. He cares for you, He sustains you, and His blessings are upon you.