What jumps to your mind when you hear the words cultural or social influence?
Where would you place yourself on a scale of cultural or social influence?
With the tools of social media and AI, influence is a rapidly and swiftly changing landscape today.
But even with all this technological innovation that is sweeping across our collective cultures, we still need to consider our personal interactions with people, whether physically or digitally. This makes us a culture maker, not just an influencer.
Today’s passage reveals that we can get things terribly wrong, but if we listen to Christ’s words and hold fast to Him, we can be conquerors for His glory in every area.
Responding to Christ’s Review | Part Three
A Study of Revelation 2:12-17 | The Passage
To the Church in Pergamum
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. [i]
What can a sharp two-edged sword do?
How does this inform the meaning of the one who speaks with a sharp two-edged sword referenced from Revelation 1:15?
13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.[ii]
What does Christ know about the church in Pergamum’s living situation?
How is the Pergamum church commended?
What happened to Antipas?
Explain the purpose of the second reference to Satan in what happened to Antipas.
14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.[iii]
If you have time, I encourage you to read through Numbers 22-25 for a thorough understanding of Christ’s reference to the story of Balaam and Balak.
But if you are short on time, read Numbers 25:1-3 and 31:1-16.
Explain why holding to the teaching of Balaam is so offensive to Christ.
Since there are no explanations within the Bible regarding the specific teachings of the Nicolaitans, what purpose does the mention of them alongside the discussion of the teachings of Balaam reveal within this passage?
16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.[iv]
What is the solution proposed by Christ? What does this solution involve?
Christ mentions the sword of his mouth as the consequence if they fail at his proposed solution. Why is this the ideal consequence in this circumstance?
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ [v]
For the third time in Revelation 2, Christ repeats, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” In fact, it is part of every single review of the seven churches. What message is Christ conveying with the repetition of this sentence?
What does the church at Pergamum need to conquer?
How do Isaiah 55:1-2 and John 6:31-35 help us understand what the hidden manna is?
Why is this a fitting reward for those who repent from the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans?
Culturally, white stones were used either as tokens of admission to a feast or in casting a vote of innocence during a trial. How do both cultural practices help us understand why Christ is offering his conquerors a white stone?
Use the following scripture references to explain what the new name written on the white stone he offers to conquerors represents.
- Isaiah 62:1-3
- Isaiah 65: 11-16
- Revelation 14:1
- Revelation 22:-1-5
Responding to Christ’s Review | Part Three
A Study of Revelation 2:12-17 | Application
To the Church in Pergamum
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. [vi]
How do you react to this imagery of Christ? Do you find it encouraging or concerning? Why?
13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.[vii]
Think about the cultural context in which you currently live. How is it like what the Church of Pergamum experienced? How is it different?
In what ways do you “hold fast” to Christ’s name and profess your faith in your daily life?
Consider reading Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.
14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.[viii]
Write a prayer asking the Spirit to reveal to you if there is any area of your life in which you have compromised your faith with cultural passivity, like this church.
16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.[ix]
Write a prayer for those in your circle of influence who are struggling to repent of cultural compromise. Ask Christ to give them time to repent before he wages war.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ [x]
Are you excited about what Christ is offering? Why or why not?
What do you need to do to keep these promises from Christ a part of your daily life?
Describe how you are a culture maker for Christ.
Responding to Christ’s Review | Part Three
A Study of Revelation 2:12-17 | A Prayer Response
Heavenly Father, Christ, and Spirit, we thank you for the words of your mouth, the double-edged sword that reveals truth in our souls. Give us courage in our daily lives to keep our promises to You fast. Strengthen our watchfulness against cultural compromise so that our faithfulness may stand firm against Satan in every area of our lives. Amen.
Write your own prayer of response to this study in the comments below.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
Quick links to other posts in this series on Revelation:
What God Chose to Reveal | Revelation 1:1-8
Seeing Through John’s Vision | Revelation 1:9-20
Responding to Christ’s Review Part One | Revelation 2:1-7
Responding to Christ’s Review Part Two | Revelation 2:8-11
[i] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:12.
[ii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:13.
[iii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:14–15.
[iv] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:16.
[v] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:17.
[vi] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:12.
[vii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:13.
[viii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:14–15.
[ix] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:16.
[x] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:17.