Irish Scripture Scholar, Frances Hogan, reads the message Jesus give to the church in Pergamum - an important power base for religion and politics. This was a place with many temples, including one for the emperor and one for the snake god; there was a medical school attached to the temple of the snake god where they claimed many false miracles. This was where satan was enthroned and the seat of the Roman government in the area.

The challenge for this church is that they have to be faithful. Throughout this apocalypse, we will see that God’s power is greater than any other power. We will also see that God’s rights are much greater than Caesar’s. St. Paul reminds us time and again that we cannot allow satan a foothold in any way in our lives because if we do, destruction will follow. Satan knows exactly how to bring the people of God down. If we are to receive the Stephanos, we have to be like the one we worship.

Repentance is what is required for the church in Pergamum; you can’t have immorality and hope to see God. The sacrificial part of Jesus’ life is over and the ruling part takes over. Instead of hell’s food, Jesus feeds us with Himself - “He is our Manna.” Here the white stone is offered to you and you are ready to enter the Kingdom of God.

Bible References:

Rev. 2:12-17 - The message to the church in Pergamum

Heb. 4:12 - The description of Jesus - a double-edged sword that cuts through everything

Rev. 17:14 - Romans don’t realize that they are trying to destroy the King of Kings

Rev. 11 - Jesus will destroy the destroyers of the earth

Rev. 1:5 - Jesus is the faithful one

Num. 25 - People of God travel through the wilderness and reach Moab. Balak tried to get the people cursed.

Lev. 19:2 - “You shall be holy, for I am holy”

1 John 5:21 - “Be on your guard against false Gods”

1 Cor. 10:19-22 - St. Paul warns the Christians against going to the Pagan temples

Matt. 5:8 - Only the pure in heart will see God

Amos 1:2 - “When the Lion roars, who will not help to feel afraid.”

John 6 - “He is our Manna”

Scripture Scholar, Frances Hogan, takes you to the world of the Apocalypse of John shown to us in the Book of Revelation written from the Greek island of Patmos. Through this podcast, we will try to understand the Book of Revelation through St. John’s warnings, the punishment that awaits, and the consolation the Lord offers to the faithful.

Frances Hogan: https://www.franceshogan.com/

Shalom World: https://www.shalomworld.org

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