A Sword, a Stumbling Block, and a Stone

​Pergamum receives the 3rd letter in the series from Jesus. There is a pat on the back along with a stern warning. The church is in a bad place. A physically bad place, that is. It’s called Satan’s throne! A follower named Antipas was martyred there. And yet the Church has stayed true to the faith!

But… there’s a problem. The Church has allowed a group of troublemakers in their midst. A group that holds to doctrines and practices that lead people astray. Jesus, with Sword in mouth, threatens to bring war on these troublemakers. It turns out that causing others to stumble is a really bad thing. To stand in the way of the mission of God is satanic. Just ask Peter (Matt 16:23). To allow people in our midst to lead others astray is a really bad thing. Times are changing my friends. This is a prophetic word for our times. The Church is slipping in its stance on truth and righteousness. We must not tolerate it! I don’t see how else we could interpret this text.

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​I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

The letter ends with a great offer of hope to those who listen and follow. They will receive hidden manna. “Manna” is the miraculous food that sustained the Hebrews when they first escaped from Egypt. “Hidden” can remind us of the food that is supernatural. The inner strength to sustain us in our time of need. The hope is not only for sustenance, but also for reward. The English says a “white stone.” The word for “white” can mean “brilliant.” The word for “stone” means a small pebble that has been worn smooth in a river bed. It sounds more like a gem than a stone. More ornamental than paperweight. More like a stone from the Ephod of the Priest where each stone stood for one of the tribes of Israel. Yes! To those who overcome, they will receive one of these gemstones with their personal name on it. They are called by name by the good shepherd who watches over their souls.
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If you follow Jesus, you are one of these people. He sustains you and He rewards you! You are precious in His eyes. He loves you, He cares for you, He will never leave you. The one with the Sword is our champion. He protects us until the end. Follow Him!

​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