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Wednesday Night Bible Study - Notes - A Study In Revelation Lesson 24 - The Church Of Pergamos P5

Writer's picture: Christopher McDonaldChristopher McDonald

TEXT: Revelation 2:12-17



  1. When the church is accepted by the world, something is wrong with the church under Constantine the church of that partiular time was accepted

  2. The council of Nicea is looked upon as good by many historians;

  3. We'd argue that it was far from good but a demonic union between the church and the world

  4. 318 Bishops - five times as many as the laity; Constantine arrayed in purple royalty was accorded moderator

  5. Whereas it was a "high day" for Christendom" at the time and by men's standards one must by reminded that

  6. Jesus made it clear "what man esteems, God detests" Luke 16:15

  7. Constantine believed that water baptism purged one's sins so he refused to be baptized until the day of his death he desired to have his sins all before his baptism. This is NOT the new birth experience of John 3:1-8

  8. The church prophetic lost her pilgrim character by her elevation to a state religion

  9. The church lost her position as a called out body by union and marriage to a POLITICAL system owned by the State!

  10. False doctrine leads to further false doctrine!

  11. Pergamos embraced the world system and the world system embraced Pergamos

  12. What started out as an argument over the divinity of Jesus lead to evil doctrines creeping into the church

  13. Two of which Christ names here - "the doctrine" of Balaam and the "doctrine" of the Nicolaitans

  14. Ephesus hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans,

  15. Pergamos embraced their doctrine - 16. Deeds turn into doctrines!

Four things condemned in Pergamos (Re. 2:14-15)

  1. Holding the doctrine of Balaam

  2. Eating things sacrified to idols

  3. Committing fornication

  4. Holding the doctrine of Nicolaitans


  1. The "doctrine of the Nicolaitans" refers to a separation of the laity and priesthood for spiritual domination

  2. This is compared to the "doctrine" of Balaam which refers to seducing the people through manipulation

  3. John discusses domination within the church in 3 John 9-11

  4. This spirit was in Diotrephes in the early church who sought preeminence (POWER)

  5. Jesus loathed their doctrine and hated their deeds - Rev. 2:6, 15-16

  6. Nikao - means to "conquer" and Laos means "people" - "Laity conquerors"

  7. Diotrephesians were another name given to this group - leaders who LORDED themselves over God's heritage - "Conqueroring" and "Dominating"

  8. Here were the roots of the priestcraft later seen in fullness at Thyatira and the roman hierarchy

  9. From Ephesus to Pergamos (500 years) their deeds grew into a doctrine

  10. Pergamos allowed this doctrine to grow into a big, bold and unscriptural government

  11. Bishops endorsed by the state told people their association with the CHURCH guaranteed salvation

  12. The church today has done nor taught differently

  13. Denomnations have "CONQUERED" the laity - teaching these groups contribute to a person's spiritual well - being not Christ

  14. The laity believing this equates particular churches with the word of God speaking for God instead of the word!

  15. In the New Testament there ARE NO CHURCH denominations but fellowship of churches CONNECTED BY SOUND DOCTRINE!

  16. The church was autonomous regarding its affairs - the pastor was the key!

  17. Spiritual authority was held by prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, and Apostles (Ephesians 4:11)

  18. Christ hates governments not designed by the Holy Spirit!

The Doctrine of Balaam

  1. The way of Balaam (2 Pet. 2:15) This was the love of the wages of unrighteousness and coveting the gifts of Balak (2Pet. 2:15; Num. 22:7, 17, 37; 24:11). Numbers 22:7-8

  2. The error of Balaam (Jude 1:11) This was accepting the wages of unrighteousness for his services in giving the secret of how to get God to curse Israel (Jude 1:11; 2 Pet. 2:!5; Num. 31:8, 16)

  3. The doctrine of Balaam (Rev. 2:14) This was to teach Balak that if he would give his most beautiful women to the Israelite men and cause them to commit idolatry and adultery that God himself would curse Israel (Num. 25:1-9; 21:8, 16)

Rebuked for his iniquity; the dumb ass which spoke with a man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet


The seven churches were chosen by the Holy Spirit! And portray the entirety of the church age.

  1. Ephesus

  2. Smyrna

  3. Pergamos

  4. Thyatira

  5. Sardis

  6. Philadelphia

  7. Laodicea


  1. Ephesus - Apostolic church - Ended 100 AD

  2. Smyrna - Martyr church - 100-300 AD - Rome hurled 10 bloody persecutions against the church

  3. Pergamos - State church - 300 AD to 500 AD. Constatine great legalized Christianity making it state religion of Roman Empire - Invasion of paganism into church

  4. Thyatira - Papal church AD 500 - Present. Rome assumed power over church - Pope

  5. Sardis - AD 1500 - Luther - Justification of faith

  6. Philadelphia - Missionary church - AD 1800 to AD 1900s

  7. Laodicea - Present day apostate to rapture

Adam To Christ 4000. Church 2021 years

6021 years of human history



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