Third Church, Pergamum; Manna

Revelation 2:12-17. The third church Jesus has a message for. He commends the church for holding fast some truths, despite dwelling among great evil.

The promise to those in Pergamum who overcome is that he will give them some hidden manna (Rev 2:17), and also a white stone with their name on it.

In Roman times, when a prisoner was shown a white stone, that meant life, whereas a black stone meant death.

Manna means – What is it. Read Exodus 16:1-36. Remember God sent manna from heaven.

However, Pergamum as a church had some areas of compromise. Jesus asks us not to compromise our faith.

The Nicolaitans, followers of Nicolas, taught different doctrines to what Jesus and the Bible teach.

Background Reading:

The Letter to the Church in Pergamum – 3rd Church

12 “To the messenger of the church in Pergamum, write:

‘The one who holds the sharp, two-edged sword, says this:

13 ‘I know where you live. Satan’s throne is there. Yet you hold on to my name and have not denied your faith in me,f even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed in your presence, where Satan lives. 14 But I have a few things against you: You have there some who hold to the teaching of Balaam, the one who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice immorality. 15 You also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 So repent. If you don’t, I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 ‘Let everyone listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone. On the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the person who receives it.’”
Revelation 2:12–17


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