Participants:
Series Code: IIW
Program Code: IIW022259S
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00:18 ♪[soft harp music]♪ 00:29 >>John Bradshaw: Thousands of years ago, 00:32 nestled among these mountains, was an ancient city, 00:37 a rich and powerful city, filled with palaces 00:40 and temples, monuments, and theaters. 00:44 But while most of the city's wonder and majesty 00:47 has been lost to time, we're exploring something 00:51 that lasts longer, much longer. 00:55 Welcome to Pergamos. 00:57 ♪[dramatic Middle-Eastern music]♪ 01:06 Pergamos, also known as Pergamum or Pergamon, 01:10 is located in western Turkey 01:12 just north of the modern-day city of Bergama. 01:17 Unlike the cities of Ephesus and Smyrna, 01:20 Pergamon was not a seaport 01:22 but was located 16 miles from the coast of the Aegean Sea. 01:27 The name "Pergamon" means "elevation." 01:31 The city was built on top of a mountain. 01:33 Its major buildings, temples, and so forth were constructed 01:36 on Pergamon's acropolis-- 01:38 "acropolis" being a Greek word 01:40 meaning "the summit of the city." 01:44 This city became one of the greatest cultural centers 01:47 of the Hellenistic world 01:48 in the decades following the death of Alexander the Great. 01:52 Only massive cities like Athens in Greece 01:56 and Alexandria in Egypt rivaled its cultural significance. 02:03 One of the city's most famous exports was parchment 02:07 made from animal skins. 02:09 While the Egyptians used papyrus, 02:12 550 miles away here in Pergamon, 02:15 parchment exploded in popularity. 02:18 In fact, the word "parchment" is derived 02:22 from the name of the city. 02:24 It was the writing material often used 02:26 in many Mediterranean countries during ancient times 02:30 and was especially popular, owing to the major library here. 02:35 Pergamon's library contained 200,000 volumes 02:39 and was second only to the library at Alexandria. 02:45 Pergamon was at the height of its political 02:47 and cultural powers in the second century BC. 02:50 City leaders planned to build a second Athens here. 02:53 The idea was that the acropolis here would rival 02:56 the famous acropolis in the Greek capital. 02:59 ♪[dramatic Middle-Eastern music continues]♪ 03:03 The theater in Pergamon, reminiscent of the one 03:06 in Ephesus, was one of the greatest theaters 03:09 of the ancient world. 03:10 It's known to be the steepest theater 03:14 to have been preserved since antiquity. 03:22 And keep in mind, there were no microphones used 03:25 in theaters like these. 03:28 [breathing heavily] 03:30 Whose idea was it... [continues breathing heavily] 03:35 to build this theater so steep? 03:38 ♪[soft, moody marimba music]♪ 03:39 One of its most famous landmarks 03:41 is the altar of Pergamon, a large monument of worship 03:46 decorated with depictions of ancient Greek leaders, 03:50 legends, and gods. 03:52 While it no longer stands in its native country, 03:56 it was reconstructed at the famous Pergamon Museum 03:59 in Berlin, where you can see it today. 04:02 ♪[music continues]♪ 04:05 This altar was the center of much of the worship 04:07 that was conducted in the city. 04:09 The worship of pagan gods and emperors was a major part 04:13 of life and culture in this town. 04:17 In addition to its magnificent library, 04:19 Pergamon was home to many other ancient Greek structures. 04:23 Prominent temples were dedicated to Zeus, 04:25 Dionysus, and Demeter. 04:28 Another temple in Pergamon was devoted to Asclepius, 04:32 a Greek god whose symbol was a serpent. 04:36 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 04:38 Many believe this is what Jesus was talking about 04:41 when He spoke of the church at Pergamos 04:43 being located where Satan's throne is. 04:46 ♪[soft music]♪ 04:47 Satan took the form of a serpent 04:49 when he deceived our first parents in the Garden of Eden. 04:57 In the midst of all this, we find a group of people 05:00 who chose to adopt a different, less popular faith. 05:05 It was here that the early Christian church 05:07 set down one of its roots, 05:10 a root that became known as the church at Pergamos. 05:14 It's the third of the seven churches 05:16 mentioned in the book of Revelation. 05:19 And it's given a personal message from God. 05:23 Now, if Jesus spoke to you and said, 05:26 "I have a few things against you," 05:29 that might make you feel a little uncomfortable. 05:32 So why did He say that to the church 05:34 that existed right here 2,000 years ago? 05:38 We'll take a look at that in just a moment. 05:40 ♪[soft piano music swells and ends]♪♪ 05:51 >>Announcer: Travel back in time and visit 05:53 the historic sites of Revelation's ancient churches, 05:56 where Christianity grew against all odds, 05:59 and learn how messages shared by Jesus 2,000 years ago 06:03 are also messages from heaven for today. 06:06 Call now for your free copy 06:07 of "The Seven Churches of Revelation: Messages for Today." 06:11 Call 800-253-3000. 06:14 That's 800-253-3000, 06:17 or visit us online at iiwoffer.com. 06:22 >>John Bradshaw: Crystals, yoga, Ouija boards, 06:24 witchcraft are back in vogue. 06:28 What the Fox sisters popularized is now part of pop culture. 06:32 Books and movies about witchcraft, wizardry, 06:34 and magic are everywhere. 06:37 What's often said to be just entertainment 06:39 is part of something much larger and darker. 06:43 Don't miss "Dancing With the Devil," 06:45 where we'll explore the rise of the occult, 06:48 and you'll meet a young woman 06:49 who overcame her involvement with the occult 06:51 through the power of God. 06:54 In a world where the media is saturated with occult imagery, 06:58 in a society where ghosts and demons 07:00 are treated as trivial and fun, it's never been more important 07:03 to discern between the sacred and the profane. 07:06 In "Dancing With the Devil," 07:08 you'll learn there's nothing new under the sun 07:10 and that the roots of what we see today go all the way back 07:13 to the origin of sin. 07:16 "Dancing With the Devil," 07:17 brought to you by It Is Written TV. 07:22 >>John Bradshaw: Welcome to "Line Upon Line," 07:23 brought to you by It Is Written. 07:26 ♪[upbeat music]♪ 07:28 Was it God's plan for sin to enter the world? 07:32 >>Wes Peppers: Is the building of the temple 07:34 necessary before Jesus returns? 07:36 >>John: That's a good question. 07:37 And I think we've got a pretty good answer for you here. 07:40 ♪[music continues]♪ 07:42 >>Wes: Temptation is not sin. 07:44 >>John: God says, "Put me to the test." 07:46 ♪[music swells and ends]♪♪ 07:52 ♪[Middle-Eastern instrumental music with ethereal singing]♪ 08:02 >>John Bradshaw: Pergamos, 08:03 the third of the seven churches of Revelation, 08:05 described by Jesus as the location of Satan's throne. 08:10 ♪[music continues]♪ 08:21 In addition to their renowned library and multiple temples, 08:25 ancient Pergamon was home to a hospital. 08:28 Known as the Asclepion, 08:30 it apparently majored in alternative treatments. 08:34 In mythology, Asclepius was the son of Apollo. 08:38 And he was the Greek god of healing, 08:41 depicted as having a staff with a snake wrapped around it. 08:46 That symbol is still prominently associated with medicine, 08:49 especially as representing the World Health Organization. 08:55 The Asclepion in Pergamon utilized treatments 08:58 such as mud baths, water, herbs, and exercise, 09:02 along with other healing modalities 09:05 that weren't quite as sound. 09:08 [voice echoing] This was a healing tunnel. 09:11 Patients would be brought here to rest, 09:13 or they might have dreams, 09:14 or they might be visited by a pagan god, 09:17 and healing may or may not come as a result. 09:21 So, people would come here to receive healing 09:25 from pagan gods. 09:28 And Christians lived in the midst of it all. 09:30 ♪[music ends with ethereal singing]♪♪ 09:34 It isn't hard to see why compromise affected this church. 09:39 Being a Christian during these times required commitment, 09:43 a determination to honor God and to avoid everything 09:46 that wasn't consistent with the Word of God. 09:49 ♪[moody Middle-Eastern instrumental music]♪ 09:52 In addition to temples honoring Zeus 09:54 and hospitals named after Asclepius, 09:56 shrines dedicated to emperor worship can be found here. 10:00 The cult of emperor worship in Pergamon started 10:03 during the reign of the very first Roman emperor, Augustus. 10:08 And the emperors themselves were very serious about this. 10:11 The emperor Trajan, 10:13 who died here in Turkey in around 117 AD, 10:17 styled himself as God's representative on earth. 10:22 These were big claims, blasphemous claims. 10:25 Yet judging from the number of shrines that can still be found 10:28 across Pergamon, it seems the citizens of this town 10:32 were very anxious to please the Romans. 10:34 ♪[music fades]♪ 10:36 This background of pagan worship 10:39 helps us to understand the setting 10:41 in which Jesus' message to this church was received. 10:45 [footsteps crunching on gravel] 10:46 ♪[soft harp music]♪ 10:48 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, 10:51 "'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 10:55 "'"I know your works, and where you dwell, 10:58 "'"where Satan's throne is. 11:00 "'"And you hold fast to my name, and did not deny my faith 11:04 "'"even in the days in which Antipas was my faithful martyr, 11:08 "'"who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 11:12 "'"But I have a few things against you, 11:14 "'"because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, 11:18 "'"who taught Balak to put a stumbling block 11:21 "'"before the children of Israel, 11:23 "'"to eat things sacrificed to idols, 11:26 "'"and to commit sexual immorality. 11:29 "'"Thus you also have those who hold 11:31 "'"the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 11:36 "'"Repent, or else I will come to you quickly 11:39 "'"and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 11:43 "'"He who has an ear, 11:45 "'"let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 11:48 "'"To him who overcomes 11:50 "'"I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. 11:53 "'"And I will give him a white stone, 11:55 "'"and on the stone a new name written 11:58 which no one knows except him who receives it."'" 12:03 This is a powerful message, 12:05 and like most of the messages to the churches of Revelation, 12:08 it contains both praise and rebuke. 12:12 From what we've seen of the popular worship here, 12:14 it isn't hard to understand why Jesus would refer to this place 12:19 as the location of Satan's seat. 12:22 As you look at the letters to the seven churches, 12:25 it's very clear that these are actual letters 12:27 to actual congregations in actual locations 12:31 in the time of the early church. 12:32 But numerous scholars have suggested 12:35 that each of the letters to the churches 12:36 also corresponds with a period of history, 12:40 in particular, church history. 12:42 ♪[soft piano music]♪ 12:43 The first church, Ephesus, relates to the apostolic church. 12:49 Smyrna covers the period in which 12:51 the Roman emperor Diocletian commenced 12:53 a 10-year period of persecution against Christianity. 12:57 ♪[melancholy orchestral music]♪ 12:58 The period covered by the church of Pergamos 13:00 is the period in which persecution ceased 13:03 when the church compromised in order to make peace 13:06 with the Roman Empire-- and as a result, 13:09 lost the purity of the original gospel message. 13:14 The church was elevated, 13:16 but compromise brought dire consequences. 13:21 The famous Red Basilica of Pergamon 13:23 illustrates the blending of paganism with Christianity 13:27 that took place during this time. 13:29 This was originally a temple dedicated to the worship 13:32 of Egyptian gods, such as Isis and Serapis 13:36 and probably also Osiris and Horus 13:38 and some lesser gods as well. 13:42 But when the Roman Empire came to profess Christianity, 13:45 this temple became a Christian church and was dedicated 13:49 to the apostle John, the one who wrote the book of Revelation. 13:53 The Christian faith became corrupted, 13:56 taking on the symbols and icons of heathenism 14:00 and baptizing them into Christianity. 14:03 ♪[melancholy orchestral music continues]♪ 14:06 This is what happened to Christendom 14:07 during the centuries immediately following the end of persecution 14:11 by pagan Rome. 14:14 The emperor Constantine claims to accept Christianity 14:17 during this time, and he made the Christian religion 14:20 popular in the pagan world. 14:23 Heathen gods and heathen customs were incorporated 14:27 into Christian worship practices. 14:30 Yes, there were those who stayed true 14:31 to the original Christian faith, 14:34 but millions of unconverted pagans crowded the gates 14:38 of the church, and the message of the gospel became corrupt. 14:44 The faithful few who kept alive the genuine Christian message 14:48 are represented by Antipas, the martyr mentioned by Jesus 14:52 in His message to the Pergamos church. 14:54 The evidence of history indicates that Antipas 14:57 was ordained by the apostle John as a bishop 15:00 during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero. 15:03 It's believed he was martyred 15:04 during the persecution of Christians under Nero. 15:08 But Antipas definitely appears to have been in the minority 15:12 of Christians during this time, 15:14 and the message from Jesus bears this out. 15:17 It seems that many more had fallen 15:19 for the morally permissive teachings of the Nicolaitans, 15:23 who were mentioned in the letter to the church at Ephesus. 15:26 These professed Christians seemed to have developed 15:30 a gospel which promised salvation 15:32 without regard to how people chose to live. 15:35 Jesus connects this corrupt gospel 15:38 with the teachings of Balaam in the Old Testament, 15:41 who successfully lured the children of Israel 15:44 into sexual immorality through the worship of pagan gods 15:50 just before Israel crossed Jordan into the land of Canaan. 15:55 You can read the story in Numbers 25. 15:58 Balaam had been unable to curse the people of Israel 16:01 as the Moabite king Balak wanted him to. 16:05 What Jesus is telling us here in the message to Pergamos 16:07 is that just as Balaam convinced Balak to tempt the Israelites 16:11 to engage in sexual sin and worship idols in the process, 16:17 similar thing happened in Constantine's time 16:20 and the centuries afterwards 16:22 when idolatry flooded into the church. 16:26 And because of this, the history of the Christian church 16:28 in the ages that followed was darkened by apostasy 16:32 and by the persecution of those who stood up against it. 16:35 ♪[somber music]♪ 16:36 Now, Jesus said to the church here 16:38 that He had a sharp, two-edged sword in His mouth. 16:43 Now, why was that? 16:45 We'll find out in just a moment. 16:49 ♪[somber music swells and ends]♪♪ 16:58 >>Announcer: Travel back in time and visit 17:00 the historic sites of Revelation's ancient churches, 17:03 where Christianity grew against all odds, 17:06 and learn how messages shared by Jesus 2,000 years ago 17:10 are also messages from heaven for today. 17:12 Call now for your free copy 17:14 of "The Seven Churches of Revelation: Messages for Today." 17:18 Call 800-253-3000. 17:21 That's 800-253-3000, 17:24 or visit us online at iiwoffer.com. 17:29 >>John Bradshaw: It was given as a gift by the wise men 17:32 to the newborn Christ. 17:34 Later an entire city named after the precious perfume 17:38 would feature prominently in the book or Revelation. 17:41 ♪[soft solemn music]♪ 17:42 While exiled on Patmos, 17:43 John writes to a young church of Christian believers in Smyrna 17:48 to encourage them as they prepare 17:50 to endure fierce persecution at the hands of a Roman emperor. 17:55 In a foreshadowing of what awaits God's people 17:57 in the last days, the apostle shares Christ's message of hope: 18:02 "Do not fear any of those things 18:04 "which you are about to suffer.... 18:06 "Be faithful [unto] death, 18:08 and I will give you the crown of life." 18:11 "The Seven Churches of Revelation: Smyrna"-- 18:15 discover how Jesus can turn your trials into victories. 18:20 "The Seven Churches of Revelation: Smyrna," 18:23 brought to you by It Is Written TV. 18:27 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 18:30 ♪[soothing piano and orchestral music]♪ 18:34 >>John Bradshaw: Jesus spoke very pointedly 18:36 to the Christians at Pergamon. 18:38 And those same words ring down through the centuries 18:41 to these post-modern times. 18:43 He said to them 18:45 that He had a sharp two-edged sword 18:48 and that with it He would punish 18:50 those who refused to repent. 18:52 You see something very similar over in Revelation, chapter 19 18:56 at the time of Jesus' return. 18:58 Revelation 19, verse 15 says this: 19:01 "Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, 19:04 "that with it He should strike the nations. 19:07 "And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. 19:11 "He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness 19:14 and wrath of Almighty God." 19:17 So what is this sword that Jesus spoke about? 19:20 The New Testament mentions it on two other occasions. 19:23 Writing to the church in Ephesus, not far from here, 19:27 Paul said that the Ephesian Christians should "take 19:29 "the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, 19:34 which is the word of God." 19:36 The Bible mentions it also in the book of Hebrews: 19:41 "For the word of God is living and powerful, 19:44 "and sharper than any two-edged sword, 19:47 "piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, 19:50 "and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner 19:54 of the thoughts and intents of the heart." 19:57 The sword Jesus spoke of is the Word of God, 20:01 and you can see, given the context, 20:02 that He is referring to the Ten Commandments, 20:05 an expression of the character of God-- 20:08 really, promises to the believer of what the life of a believer 20:11 will look like when Jesus lives in the heart. 20:15 Solomon understood this when he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes: 20:19 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: 20:22 "Fear God, and keep His commandments, 20:25 "for this is the whole duty of man. 20:28 "For God will bring every work into judgment, 20:32 "including every secret thing, 20:34 whether [it be] good or [whether it be] evil." 20:38 ♪[music fades]♪ 20:40 Thank God, Jesus' message to the church at Pergamon 20:42 doesn't end with a warning. 20:45 He makes a promise to those who overcome through faith in Him, 20:49 as opposed to those compromisers who try to make peace with sin. 20:54 Let's take a look at that promise again: 20:55 ♪[soft orchestral music]♪ 20:56 "To him who overcomes 20:58 "I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. 21:01 "And I will give him a white stone, 21:03 "and on the stone a new name written 21:06 which no one knows except him who receives it." 21:10 So what is this "hidden manna" Jesus is speaking of? 21:14 Hebrews, chapter 9 says that a golden pot 21:17 was placed inside the Ark of the Covenant. 21:20 It contained manna, 21:22 that food with which God miraculously fed His people 21:25 as they wandered through the wilderness 21:26 on their way to Canaan. 21:28 The Bible calls it angels' food. 21:31 It's a symbol of the bread of life, 21:34 the life-giving Word of God Jesus was speaking of 21:37 when He said that people should live not "by bread alone, 21:40 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." 21:45 Jeremiah the prophet spoke of the Word of God 21:47 in the same way when he said, 21:49 "Your words were found, and I ate them." 21:53 Jesus is saying to those who choose to live a life of faith 21:56 that they'll be nourished by God's Word. 22:00 Like Israel in the wilderness, 22:02 they will eat the bread of heaven itself. 22:07 Now, what about this white stone Jesus refers to? 22:09 Well, truth is there's very little consensus among scholars 22:14 as to what is represented here, very little agreement. 22:17 There's a school of thought that says 22:18 this references the tessera; 22:20 these were essentially tokens of admittance. 22:23 Others associate it with acquittal. 22:27 Well, whatever it is precisely, 22:29 we know that Jesus is giving something enduring, 22:33 something pure to His people, 22:35 and He is letting them know that they have eternal life 22:39 with Him, life with the Savior, the Redeemer forever. 22:44 ♪[contemplative synth music]♪ 22:47 At different times in biblical history, 22:49 God gave people a new name 22:52 to signify they'd received a new character, 22:55 a new experience, or a new spiritual destiny. 23:00 Like that time Jacob wrestled with an angel: 23:04 "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; 23:09 "for you have struggled with God and with men, 23:12 and have prevailed." 23:14 The book of Revelation says that when Jesus comes, 23:17 He will have a "name written" that no one knew except Himself. 23:23 In His promise to His followers in Pergamon, 23:25 Jesus promises them that they, too, will receive a new name-- 23:30 insignia of honor, tokens of triumph. 23:34 Like Jacob, the victorious saints will receive a new name 23:37 as a reward for their faithfulness and perseverance. 23:41 Of course, the wonderful truth 23:43 is that you can have the white stone. 23:46 You can have a new name. 23:49 Even in this world where sin is not just tolerated 23:52 but accepted and promoted, 23:55 even in this world where there's a lot of doubt, 23:57 there's skepticism and agnosticism 24:00 and atheism and relativism and criticism and all of that, 24:05 you can have everything God wants you to have in this life: 24:09 peace. 24:10 God can restore your dignity. 24:12 You can walk with your head held high, not in a prideful sense 24:16 but knowing that you are a child of God 24:19 simply through faith in Jesus-- 24:23 the reason Jesus died on the cross, 24:25 so that your sin could be taken away 24:27 and so that you could receive all of the blessings 24:30 that He has for you. 24:32 So there's no need to wait. There's no need to doubt. 24:35 There's definitely no need to fear. 24:39 God is looking to you today and asking that you would 24:42 simply allow Jesus to be everything that He truly is. 24:48 [waves crashing on beach] 24:52 ♪[soft, soothing synth music]♪ 25:03 You know what I find so interesting about Pergamos, 25:06 that once magnificent city, the ruins of which are set high 25:11 on the acropolis overlooking the city? 25:13 Well, it's the fact that today it's ruins. 25:16 Once stately and palatial and magnificent--today, ruins. 25:22 Trajan the emperor was worshiped as a god. 25:25 Today? What has he become? 25:27 A statue. 25:28 No, no, a headless statue. 25:31 Temples where people worshiped deities that were not deities 25:35 had been reduced to rubble. 25:37 You get the idea that nothing lasts. 25:40 And I'll tell you that there's something that lasts, 25:42 and John knew what that was when he was writing here 25:46 on the island of Patmos. 25:48 He had witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus. 25:50 He saw Jesus after Jesus was raised from the dead. 25:54 And then, in this place, John wrote the book of Revelation 25:58 that speaks about a kingdom that will never pass away 26:02 and about a God who wants you to be part of that kingdom. 26:05 You want something that lasts? 26:08 Christ lasts. 26:09 Eternity lasts. Heaven lasts. 26:12 There will be an earth made new that God wants you in, 26:17 and your life will last as long as the life of God. 26:22 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 26:24 >>John: Thank you for remembering that It Is Written 26:26 exists because of the kindness of people just like you. 26:30 To support this international life-changing ministry, 26:33 please call us now at 800-253-3000. 26:37 You can send your tax-deductible gift 26:39 to the address on your screen, 26:40 or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com. 26:44 Thank you for your prayers and for your financial support. 26:47 Our number again is 800-253-3000, 26:51 or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com. 26:55 >>John: Let me pray with you now. 26:57 Our Father and our God, in Jesus' name, 26:59 we thank You for that which lasts, 27:02 for eternity, for heaven, for an earth made new, 27:05 for Jesus, for the things of heaven. 27:08 Right now we claim that which lasts. 27:11 We claim that eternal life through faith in Jesus. 27:15 We don't deserve it. We cannot buy it. 27:18 But we believe it through Christ's death on the cross. 27:22 We thank You for everlasting life. And we praise You, 27:28 in Jesus' name. 27:30 Amen. 27:32 Thanks so much for joining me. 27:33 I'm looking forward to seeing you again next time. 27:36 Until then, remember: 27:38 "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, 27:42 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 27:47 ♪[dramatic, triumphant theme music]♪ 28:26 ♪[music ends]♪♪ |
Revised 2023-08-29