END OF TIME PROPHECIES 046

PERGAMOS        The Correction     Revelation 2v16.  

"Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth".  

The correction is summed up in one word "repent;" change your mind, change your thinking about this, go another way.   The command was backed up by a very clear threat.   The power behind this threat is awesome.   Pergamos was not only a religious pagan city, it was also the seat of the judicial power of the Roman emperor in Asia Minor.   The Roman pro-consul who ruled the city with a rod of iron had a symbol of an upright sword in his hand (i.e. the constant threat of punishment).   This symbol would be changed when judgement was pronounced, and the sword became horizontal.   Jesus uses the same symbolism, which the church would understand.   If the judicial power of Rome was great, His was greater.   In order to effect His judgement He needed no army, He would act simply "with the sword of His mouth."   His word would be enough to punish the perpetrators of evil in His church.   The solemn picture is graphically drawn for us in Numbers 25v3-9, the section of which begins and ends as follows  "the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel....... and those that died in the plague was twenty four thousand."   The Jesus of the New Testament has the same attitude to public sin amongst His people as the God of the Old Testament.   He says  "I will come quickly."   When God decides to act in judgement it is swift.   We should not presume on our right to remain on this earth.   The Lord of all glory wields the sword and expects behavior from those who claim to be His people.   His church must be cleansed.   John the Baptist said "He will thoroughly purge His floor."   Matthew 3v12.

His message to the church is to excommunicate these people.  " Thou hast there them that hold this doctrine."   So heinous is this doctrine they should not be there in His church.   In the New Testament there are various courses of action to deal with doctrinal and moral evil; if we don't judge the evil, He must and He will.  

• 1st Corinthians 5v13   -   "Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."   This chapter is about purging from the company people who are serial fornicators, extortioners, idolaters, covetous people, railers (false accusers), drunkards.
• 1st Timothy 6v3-5          -  "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but dotting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men with corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."
• 2nd Timothy 2v20-21     -    "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor."   If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work." 
• 1st Timothy 1v19-20     -      "Holding faith and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning the faith have made shipwreck; of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."  
• Titus 3v10                     -        "A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;  knowing that he that is such is subverted and sinneth, being condemned of himself."

Clearly serious matters of doctrine and morality must be addressed in the churches.   There are other lesser forms of discipline that do not involve the extreme act of excommunication.   Titus 1v11  "whose mouths must be stopped."  ;   Titus 1v13  "Rebuke sharply"  ;  1st Timothy 6v20  "Avoid profane and vain babblings"  ;  2nd Thessalonians 3v6  "Withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly."    The course of repentance in a church context is never easy.   It may involve persuasion, visitation, constant prayer, and perhaps ultimately discipline.   All such discipline must always be with a view to restoration.   Church life involves much more than singing hymns and giving sermons.   Sometimes action has to be taken for the good of the company and for the honor of our Lord.