JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Revelation 2, verse 13 a.

Jesus sent a message to the church at Pergamum: “I know where you live-where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me.”

This church was situated in a spiritually dark place. There were some influences of the culture infiltrating the church like immorality, idol worship, and false doctrine.  Not everyone in that church was compromising, but some were corrupted. In His love for the church, Jesus called for repentance, because He is looking for a purified church that remains true to His name.

The words of Jesus inspire us to live with pure devotion to Christ in the Year of Redemption.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His letter to the church at Pergamum.

In Revelation 2:14, The main message to this church is to beware of falling into an immoral lifestyle. There was evidence of compromise in the church at Pergamum. The whole church was not infected, but some within the church were being corrupted. In His love for the church, Jesus calls the compromisers to repentance. To those who did not fall into false teachings or an immoral lifestyle, Jesus commends them for remaining true to His name.

Pergamum was identified as a place where Satan has his throne. Believers were in a tough place. There can be many temptations and different forms of persecution in communities where Satan has a stronghold. There was a hostile climate toward Christians in Pergamum as seen by the reference to the death of Antipas, who was a faithful witness for Jesus.

A daily connection with Christ calls to an uncompromising faith.