* The teachings, false worship, idolatry, heresy and culture were all real
* Governor had the “Right of the Sword” for all of Asia which meant he could
determine which prisoners would live and which would die (Prestigious and Respected Title)
* Jesus says he was the one who had the the 2 edged sword. It would seem that
Jesus is saying it is He that that truly has the power and authority to life and death not the governor or even Rome
2 edges on the sword. God's Word the sword can bring 2 things
* Salvation * Judgment
In an attempt to help us see what Jesus means by “the city where Satan lives”
lets look at the culture and religion of Pergamum
Pergamum was an important religious center consisting of four main temples.
* Athena * Asclepius * Dionysus * Zeus
DIONYSUS WORSHIP
Sexual immorality ran wild in the streets - Rome actually outlawed the worship of Dionysus because it was considered so immoral
ASCLEPIUS WORSHIP
* Asclepius was the god of healing and medicine * Symbol for Asclepius was a snake wrapper around him
THE CHURCH
Much like our church today it would appear that Satan wanted to destroy the testimony of the church at Pergamum. Satan had infected the church with the world.
WHAT IS SATAN'S THRONE
Temple of Dionesis The Shrine of Demeter Zeus Alter The Temple to Emperor The Temple shrine of Asclepius
THE TEACHINGS OF BALAAM
Balaam knew that if he could get Israel to fellowship with godless people, they would be dragged into idolatry and fornication.
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