As Watchmen appointed and set up by The LORD Jesus Christ to publish to The Body of Christ, what’s been predetermined to unfold in the times and seasons before us, sometimes we write and speak with such a great burden.

The Prophet Elisha upon receiving the mantle of Elijah, carried on the remaining parts of the assignments Elisha was instructed to do as recorded in 1 Kings 19:15-17,

“Then The LORD said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus, and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill, and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.” 1 Kings 19:15-17

Through the study of The Scriptures, we see that Elijah indeed anointed Elisha (the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah) as a prophet in his place, however, the other parts of the instructions to anoint Hazael as King over Syria and Jehu as King over Israel was fulfilled in the days of Elisha.

When the time came for Hazael to be anointed King over Syria, The Scriptures show that Elisha carried this word with such a great burden and tears in his eyes, because he knew what would unfold in the time and season of the reign of Hazael, and how the Children of Israel would be sorely persecuted in that season.

“Then he set his countenance in a stare until he was ashamed, and the man of God wept. And Hazael said, “Why is my lord weeping?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel: Their strongholds you will set on fire, and their young men you will kill with the sword, and you will dash their children, and rip open their women with child.” So Hazael said, “But what is your servant — a dog, that he should do this gross thing?” And Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will become king over Syria.” 2 Kings 8:11-13

In same manner, I dare say, a significant part of The Global Church is coming into a season that can be described as “The Season of The Church in Pergamos”.

The LORD Jesus Christ, by the hand of The Apostle John, wrote letters to The Churches as contained in the Book of Revelation.

Each letter described a profound and unique scenario pertaining to each Church, the warnings of The LORD and the Counsel of The LORD to them, in that time and season.

Of profound importance to us — because of the times we are in — is the letter to The Church in Pergamos, and those who have ears to hear what The Spirit of The LORD is saying to the Church in this season, will do well to take heed to these things.

The LORD as The Two Edged Sharp Sword

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword.” Revelation 2:12

In the letters to The Churches, The LORD described Himself in very unique ways, and it is important to know that The LORD wasn’t trying to show off His many names, attributes and authority.

Every time The LORD addressed Himself in a new way when He wrote the letter to a specific Church, highlighting specific things, The LORD through the way He addressed Himself, revealed the Authority with which He wrote that letter.

To The Church in Pergamos, The LORD identified Himself as, “He who has the sharp two-edged sword”.

The Book of Hebrews reveal this,

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13

This is too important to tread lightly.

When we understand why and how The LORD addresses Himself, first as “The Word of God, sharper than any two edged sword,” one whose eyes are open to see all our activities, even to discerning the thoughts and intents of our hearts — The One to whom we must render account — then we will understand how specific and precise the content of the letter to The Church in Pergamos is — and the issues raised in the letter — from the standpoint and view of The Word of God.

The Pergamos Church in a place and season where Satan gained a seat of rule

“I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” Revelation 2:13

The LORD then calls their attention to very important things.

First, The LORD tells them he recognizes their works, how they held fast to His name, did not deny the faith, even though they were in a place and season where Satan had been enthroned over that city.

Interestingly, this was peculiar to Pergamos, and for a reason, Satan had gained the right to sit on the throne of this very significant city in that season.

Why was this so?

To gain an insight, we have to see what was written to The Church in Philadelphia, and why they were facing a different scenario.

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it, for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” Revelation 3:7-11

What a difference!

In Pergamos, Satan was enthroned and wielded authority to bring persecution, and also killed Antipas who became a faithful martyr. But in Philadelphia, Satan would be made to come and worship at the feet of The Church in Philadelphia.

What was the difference?

The Church in Philadelphia exercised Territorial Authority and ruled their Territory, but The Church in Pergamos did not rule over their Territory — as Satan had gained the right of the throne and wielded Territorial Authority.

What made the difference?

The Church in Pergamos and Philadelphia both had a witness of endurance — they held fast His Name and did not deny the Faith.

However, The Church in Philadelphia had a testimony, that they kept His Word, but the Church in Pergamos bore a testimony of compromise to The Word.

The Compromise Unto Weakness

“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” Revelation 2:14-16

The LORD, writing as “The Word of God sharper than the two edged sword”, detailed further the issues in the Church in Pergamos whom He was dissatisfied with, as we see in The Scriptures — and they sum up to this — they compromised and were not strong in The Word.

They were those amongst them those who held the doctrine of Balaam.

When Balaam failed in his quest to curse the Israelites under the hire of Balak, The Scriptures reveals that Balaam went on and taught Balak how to put a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality — so they would be defiled before The LORD, incur the wrath of God, and they wouldn’t gain the Territorial Victory they were to gain in the divinely opportune time.

“Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of The LORD was aroused against Israel.” Numbers 25:1-3

Just as the compromise brought by the doctrine of Balaam brought a plague upon the Israelites and cost the Israelites the Territorial Victory they ought to have gained in the divinely opportune time, so also The Church in Pergamos are described to have been weakened by the infiltration of the doctrine of Balaam, in that they bowed themselves to the very strange gods they were sent to conquer. Hence, Satan retains his seat of rule in Pergamos, and wielded that Authority to fight against The Church.

The Call to Repentance and The Promise of The White Stone

“Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight 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 I will give some of the hidden manna to eat, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” Revelation 2:16-17

Though The Church in Pergamos had found themselves in such a situation as we have seen described, The LORD revealed a way out of the present scenario — calling them to Repentance, else The LORD Jesus Christ in His authority as The Word of God, sharper than any two edged sword would come and fight against them with The Sword of His Mouth,

Brethren, we are at the beginnings of The Church in The Season of Pergamos, as described in The Scriptures and being revealed by The Spirit of The LORD.

We bear a witness, that we hold fast The Name of The LORD, we have not denied our Faith, but the place of strength that brings us the authority of rule within our territorial jurisdictions is in keeping His Word.

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also.” Acts 12:1-3

The indices of the beginnings of the time and trials of the persecutions of The Church is all glaring — but to many, it isn’t ringing bells as it should.

There are Balaks within The Church who have partnered with Balaams to infiltrate The Church with doctrines and practices detestable to The LORD, and for this, grounds that ought to have been gained, have been lost — and they have become grounds and places of authority from which the enemy is regrouping to unleash persecution in The Church.

In the midst of all these, The LORD calls out to as many will discern and heed His call today.

“Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2:16-17

Pergamos photo ©Joel Meeker

~ by Abel Praise

---

Abel Praise, serving as Team Lead, Ministries Of Abel Praise is committed to working with apostolic and prophetic ministries across nations to raise up a new generation of leadership in The Body of Christ, by making teaching and training resources available and stewarding Ministers In Congress Conventions. See also: RighteousLegislations.com

Back to Top