Revelation 2:12-17 Devotional Scripture - Faithful to His Word

 

 

God is looking for people who will be faithful to His word. That is what he tells the church at Pergamum.  Jesus describes himself as,

 The One who has the sharp two-edged sword.    Revelation 2:12b

The word of God is the sword. Jesus will use it to confront this church.

I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith.      Revelation 2:13a

 Despite the fact that they lived in an evil city that persecuted Christians, they held fast to their faith in Jesus. These Christians were willing to face difficult days because they had experienced the presence of God in their day to day lives.  They believed God’s word was truth and they held fast to that truth.

These bold believers were doing a great job of withstanding attacks that came from outside—but they were weak when it came to threats that came from within. They tolerated people who taught falsehood and people who embraced wrong teachings in their fellowship.  Satan couldn't accomplish much by persecuting this church because many of them did hold fast to Jesus. So Satan tried to accomplish his goals by using deception and false teaching.

Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.   Revelation 2:16

This church was to repent because by allowing false teaching in the church they were not being faithful to the word of God.  If this church did do not repent Jesus would come quickly with judgment.

But to the overcomer, he who repents and does not participate in or permit these false teachings, a reward will be given to him. 

To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it .     Revelation 1:17b

They will receive hidden manna. The hidden manna is the sweet spiritual nourishment we receive as we commune with God.  It is hidden because it is only available to those who hold fast to Jesus. In those days, a white stone was given to those who were acquitted by a jury and a black stone to those who were condemned. White stones were also used as tickets for admission to public festivals.  In a sense Jesus is saying, “I have taken away your guilt.  I will accept you and adopt you into My family and I will give you a new name. Welcome to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”