“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
Revelation 2:12-17 NIV
Questions for Reflection:
How does the fact that Jesus "knows" us (and the reality of our situation) help us trust Him and obey Him in the middle of difficult circumstances?
Evidently Pergamum was a place of intense evil given Jesus describes it as a place where Satan has a throne. When you sense you are in a place of pervasive evil or intense spiritual warfare, in what way is the picture of Jesus described in these verses helpful?
Is Jesus as a formidable warrior your "go to" mental image for Him? Name a situation (physical, mental or emotional) you have been in lately where you needed this kind of Jesus to fight for you. How is this image of Jesus helpful?
Prayer of the Week:
Jesus, I love You! I worship You! I trust You! I give myself over to You today! You alone are Life and You have become my Life, My Hope, My Peace and My Love. I renounce all other gods and idols and ask You to take Your rightful place as the One and Only Lord of my life. Thank you for coming to rescue me from my sin, from my self, from the world and the devil. You are my Warrior King, the First and the Last, the One who died and came back to life. You are the source of all Truth! I surrender to You! I give You my “fear and fears” today! (Name and describe any fear you are dealing with.) I call forth the reign of Jesus over all my fear and trust that even if I were to lose all, including my life You still have victory in store for me – a crown of Life! I rejoice in the Life you have given me that nothing and no one can take away! Jesus, I turn to You in this moment and renounce any ways I have given in to compromise with regards to You, Your truth, our relationship and Your calling on my life. Lead me into a true and deep repentance trusting in Your forgiveness. Show me how you are working in my life and lead me into all truth especially where I am vulnerable to fear and compromise – to try to do it my way! I will follow You today – with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength. You are my victorious Savior and I am Yours! Amen.
