WHEN TOLERANCE BECOMES INTOLERABLE, Message, February 1, 2009

Preached at Hebron Baptist Church, February 1, 2009 by Pastor Joe Alain

Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:12-17 (Pew Bible, 824)
Tolerance does not have to be a bad word. Tolerance is the capacity to endure pain or hardship, to be understanding, receptive, open-minded. Jesus Himself was tolerant of others. He was patient and understanding of others, especially people who were caught up in sin. This doesn’t mean that Jesus was soft on sin. Jesus dealt with sin but He did so in a way that was never condemning or condescending. He understood people. He walked in their shoes. He respected all people, even fallen people, because they were created in the image of God. He saw beyond the sin and saw people for what they could be.

We too must be tolerant of others and we can do so without accepting or giving approval of sin just as Jesus did. But how do we know when tolerance has gone too far? When is tolerance too much? Jesus modeled the balance that needs to be maintained. Regardless of religious background, nationality, or economic status, He was sensitive and understanding of people; however, He could not help those who would not be honest with themselves or who did not want His help. This is why Jesus said, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces” (Matt. 7:6). Tolerance may become intolerable!

How do we know when tolerance has gone too far? Maybe the larger question is, How do we live in the world and reach the world but not become a part of the world? This message to the church in Pergamum is helpful for us. The risen Christ had some good things to say to the church in the city of Pergamum, but He also charged some in the church for going too far in their acceptance of pagan religious practices. Tolerance goes too far when pagan practices are accepted that deny the Lordship of Christ in our lives.

About Pergamum
Pergamos (KJV) or Pergamum (NIV).
1. A Great Cultural Center
Here was a famous library containing no fewer than 200,000 parchment rolls. It was second only to the great library of Alexandria. Writing on parchment or vellum (animal skins) originated at Pergamum and was a considerable business. Pergamum was a city that reflected the Greek way of life. It contained many public buildings which were built on terraces on a steep mountain overlooking the valley of the River Caicus, from the top of which the Mediterraneans could be seen, fifteen miles away. Pergamum also contained a famous school of sculpture.

2. A Great Religious Center, “where Satan’s throne is” (v.13).
(1) The Altar of Zeus stood on a hill about 800 feet above the city.
Zeus was the chief Greek god, the Roman name was Jupiter.

(2) The temple of Asklepios, the god of healing, was the headquarters of an order of medical priests whose emblem was the serpent. People came from afar to this place of healing.

(3) Pergamum was the most important center of emperor worship in the East because of the great temple to “Roma” and “Augustus” which had been erected in 29 B.C. “Satan’s throne” is probably a reference to the imperial cult (emperor worship) which had its center in the city. Nothing could be more Satanic than to take the name of Lord and give it to Caesar instead of Christ.

What message did the risen Christ have for the church in Pergamum?
1. APPROVAL (2:12-13)
Like the believers in Smyrna, the believers in Pergamos suffered persecution. Even one of their faithful men, “Antipas” had been martyred because of Christ. But the Christians refused to burn incense on the altar and say “Caesar Is Lord.” They stood strong, Jesus said, even at Satan’s throne. The believers in Pergamum held fast to the Name of Christ. When faced with the decision to deny Him or not, they stood firm, they did not deny Jesus. The Christian community was surviving and thriving even in a place so difficult it was designated “where Satan’s throne is.” The Christians were not escaping, but witnessing, even to death. In the early church to be a martyr and to be a witness were one and the same thing. God had these believers where he needed them. What better place to be salt and light but at Satan’s throne? God has you where you are for a purpose, to witness of Christ. See Matthew 10:27-33.

Christ gave His approval to these Christians, but He also
brought an. . .
2. ACCUSATION (2:14-15)
Even though they faced persecution, the church in Pergamum was not being destroyed from without, it was in danger of being compromised from within. In verses 14-15 these infiltrators are identified as the “Nicolatians.” What they taught is called “the doctrine [or teaching] of Balaam.”

Understanding the story of Balaam helps us interpret this dangerous group more accurately (See Numbers 22-25). Balaam was a prophet of God who prostituted his gifts in order to earn money from King Balak, who hired him to curse the people of Israel. God prevented Balaam from actually cursing the nation – in fact, God turned the curses into blessings! But because of Balaam’s counsel, Balak learned how to ensnare Israel. The end result was that Israel committed idolatry with Baal (the pagan false god) and fornication (immorality) with Moabite women (Num. 25:1-5). For Israel, tolerance had led to total compromise of all convictions and morality. God said that they had “joined” themselves with Baal (25:3).

Why did this bit of ancient history apply to the believers at Pergamos? Because a group in the church said, “There is nothing wrong with being friendly to Rome. What harm is there in putting a pinch of incense on the altar and affirming your loyalty to Caesar? What harm is there in participating in the pagan festivals,” even though this where the feasting, immorality, and idolatry was taking place. It was an all out idolatrous eat, drink, and be merry kind of lifestyle that Jesus was reprimanding. By their actions they were denying the very Lord who had saved them.

(1) The Nicolatians were essentially trying to persuade Christians that there was nothing wrong with a prudent conformity to the world’s standards. But the Bible is clear that Christians are different than the world without Christ. We are a “holy people.” We are “born again,” literally “born from above.” God’s Spirit lives within us and we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20). And even though we are not of this world, yet Christ calls us to be (to serve) in the world. We are different on purpose to make a difference.

(2) The fault of the Nicolatians was that they were following the policy of compromise solely to save themselves from trouble. This brings up the question, “Why do we want to live pure lives?” “What’s our motivation?” It seems that our motivation is two-fold: (1) Because Christ does live in us, and we are not our own, we do not want to grieve the Holy Spirit. (2) So that we can be a credible witness of the life that God intends for us to live. The Nicolatians were living as if it didn’t matter. They were grieving God and not making much of a positive impact at Pergamum. The reality is, you can’t win the world by fully joining the world.

After the accusation we find there is an . . .
3. ADMONITION (2:16-17a)
Jesus’ chastisement is not against the whole church but only against those who were seducing her and leading her astray. The sword is a reference to the word of God which is able to pierce like a sword (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12). The hope is that the word of God will convict hearts so that people will “repent” (v.16). God’s judgement is always redemptive. Conviction is the work of God in your life to bring you closer to Him. His HS is always convicting and calling us to a deeper life with Him.

The risen Christ has given His approval, accusation, admonition, and now He closes His message to the church in Pergamum by giving the faithful Christians an assurance.
4. ASSURANCE (2:17b)
Two assurances are given to the faithful believer.
(1) A share of the hidden manna to eat
i. God fed the Israelites with manna during their wilderness travels (Ex. 16:11-15).

ii. A pot of manna was placed in the ark of the covenant (Ex. 16:32-36; Heb. 9:4).

God may be saying, “Instead of eating things sacrificed to idols which do not satisfy (2:14), the believers in Pergamos needed to feast on God’s holy food, the bread of life found in Jesus Christ through the Word of God (Matt. 4:4; Jn. 6:31-ff.).

See John 6:48-51: Manna points to Christ and the fact that only He satisfies and sustains us. The world will never be able to do what He alone can.

(2) The white stone and the new name
i. White and black stones were used for registering verdicts in ancient courts. Black meant condemnation. White was acquittal. The Christian is acquitted on the basis of Christ.

ii. Stones were given out as tickets to victorious athletes.

iii. The ancients would carry charms with a sacred name. To know a god’s name was to have a certain power over him, to be able to summon him to one’s aid in time of difficulty.

John is saying you are safe because you know the name of God – the true God. You have “received” Him. In Christ you have a new status. What an encouragement to believers standing strong!

Conclusion and Invitation
1. Is there an area of your life that needs to be surrendered
to God? Are you desiring to live a holy life? Are you letting Christ live out His life in you? He will if you will let Him.

2. Do you have the assurance of salvation? You have assurance when you “receive” Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you maintain that assurance when you have clean hands before Him.

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe