The Seven Churches (Part 3): Pergamum

The Seven Churches (Part 3): Pergamum

The church in Pergamum, or Pergamos (KJV, NKJV), was the third church addressed by the Lord at the beginning of the book of Revelation. Like the church discussed in the previous lesson (Smyrna), this church and city are mentioned nowhere else in the New Testament. Also like Smyrna, the church in Pergamum experienced persecution. One of their number had even been killed as a result. Yet the Lord warned them not to compromise the truth, even in the face of persecution.

And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 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 2:12-17).

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The Seven Churches (Part 2): Smyrna

The Seven Churches (Part 2): Smyrna

The second church addressed by the Lord in the book of Revelation was the church in Smyrna. Neither the church nor the city are mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament. Yet the Lord’s letter to them provides a message of hope because the tribulations they were experiencing at that moment would not last long.

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death’” (Revelation 2:8-11).

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The Christian and the “Victim Mentality” (08.10.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about a term that has become fairly common in our current culture – “victim mentality.” What does this mean? And is this mentality compatible with the life of a Christian? We’re going to consider that in this episode.Continue Reading

Pre-Registering for State-Approved Religious Services (07.13.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about the Chinese Communist Party testing a new app that requires citizens to pre-register in order to attend a religious service. This would enable them to limit the number of people who can assemble at a given time. Of course, this also fits in with their current practice of limiting the number of state-approved churches that citizens may legally attend. There are a few points I want us to consider about this today.Continue Reading

Man Arrested for Quoting the Bible (07.06.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week I’m joined by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about a man who was arrested at a “Pride March and Rally” in Reading, Pennsylvania. The reason? He stood across the street, on a public sidewalk, holding a sign that referenced a Bible verse. There are a few things we have to say about this which we’ll discuss in our episode today.Continue Reading

Major League Pitcher Cut After Expressing Views on LGBTQ Issues (06.15.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays who shared a social media post that was deemed offensive by LGBT promoters and supporters. Not long after he was coerced into making an apology, he was cut by the team. For many in our culture, promoting Biblical standards of sexuality and gender is an unforgivable sin. We’re going to talk about this today.Continue Reading

Teacher Reprimanded Over a Bible Verse (05.11.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week I’m joined by Kristofer Gardana, and we’re talking about a public school teacher who was reprimanded for including a Bible verse in her email signature. This is another example showing how our society is becoming more hostile toward God and His word. As this happens, there will be more places where Christians simply are no longer welcome. We’re going to discuss this in our episode today.Continue Reading