Video Transcript: Pergamum

Located 100 kilometers north of Izmir. The laid back market town of Bergama is  the modern successor to the once powerful ancient city of Pergamum. Bergama  is home to two of Turkey's most celebrated archaeological sites Pergamum  Acropolis and Asklepion one of the earliest medical centers on record. In fact,  after entering the Acropolis at Pergamum for the first time, my reaction was,  Why in the world isn't this place as famous as Athens or Rome for the ruins at  Pergamum are as stunning as any in the world. Built on a conical Hill rising 300  meters above the surrounding valley Pergamum from the Greek Citadel was the most famous city in Asia. Second only to the extensive archaeological  investigation at Ephesus Pergamum offers at least a whole day of intriguing  discovery for those interested in history, archaeology and interpretation. Come  with me on a journey, the quest for answers, looking for the first followers of  Christ in Turkey. The road north from Izmir follows the coastline some 65  kilometers and then turns inland in a northeasterly direction up the valley of  Kaikos River. about 26 kilometers inland from the Agean sea is located the city  of Bergama. Bergama has a population of around 60,000, making it the fourth  biggest city in Izmir Bergama is the Center for farming, light industry, schools,  gold mining, and of course, tourism. Bergama is also renowned for its high  quality carpets, there are approximately 80 villages that still weave Bergama  carpets. The history of carpet weaving in Bergama dates back to the 11th  century, when Turkish migration started to the area, Bergama carpets have  almost always been woven with wool and attestation to the pastoral lifestyle of  the Euro clans populating the area at the time. Most of the downtown is very  navigable on foot. In fact, Walking is one of the pleasures of a visit to Bergama.  You can walk through all of the popular tourist destinations from the center  within 15 minutes, including the Asklepion, the Acropolis. cable car, the  Archaeological Museum and the red Basilica. Boasting a small but impressive  collection of artifacts Bergama's Museum is well worth a visit. on exhibit I reliefs  from the Acropolis including a wonderful Roman era relief from the Demeter  terrace and a Hellenistic frieze from the Athena terrace. Also impressive are the  many statues from the Asklepion on the famed ancient Medical Center, and a  mosaic floor featuring Medusa's head that was originally in the lower Agora. The ethnography gallery focuses on the crafts, costumes and customs of the  Ottoman period. There is a scale replica of the altar of Zeus. Your original is in  the Pergamum Museum in Bergama, and the many objects ceramic glazed  terracotta are on marble and glass savaged from the excavations in both the  Acropolis and Asklepion and the red basilica was erected in the second century  probably under the reign of Hadrian, as a temple to the popular Egyptian gods  Serapis. This it was later converted into a Byzantine church consists of main  building, and two round towers within an enormous Terminus or sacred area.  Nowadays, there is a mosque located in one of the building's Bergama shares  the site of ancient Pergamum where extensive ruins are made. Pergamum is 

reportedly named after the founder Pergamus. Pergamum was never important  till it became the capital of the independent kingdom of the Attalids. After  Alexander the Great under Eumenes II from 197 to 159 BC Pergamum became  the finest flower of Hellenic civilization. It boasted a library of more than 200,000 volumes. Legend has it the parchment was invented here when supply papyrus  from Egypt was cut off in reprisal for Eumenes attempt to lower a famous  librarian by the name of Aristophanes, away from Alexandria. Its last King willed  it to Rome in 133 BC, when apparently it became the capital of the Roman  province of Asia. In addition to its political importance, Pergamum was also a  great and important religious center with temples dedicated to Zeus, Athena, the patron goddess, Dionysos. And Asclepius, the god of healing. Pergamum was  also the leading center for the worship of Roman emperors in 29 BC is the first  city of the province. Pergamum built a temple dedicated to the divine Augustus,  and the goddess Roma. Shortly after John's time, an amazing temple to Trajan  was constructed, thus ensuring the ongoing worship of the Emperor. Certainly  the most prominent feature in Pergamum was the gleaming temple structure  and altar dedicated to Zeus Soter, that is Zeus, the Savior. This temple and the  altar of Zeus were unquestionably the most spectacular features to greet the  eye of the visitor arriving in the city from any of three directions. To some, the  great altar appeared to be something of a throne. The additional feature giving  fame to the city was the hospital and the Temple of Asclepius was also called as  Asclepius Soter, the hospital of Asclepius Soter did not only dealt with physical  healing, but also developed a doctrine of personal salvation, which was almost  certainly known by the residents and viewed as a contrast to salvation in Christ.  Galen, the famous physician had perfected his medicine expertise in the care of  wounded and dying Gladiators, and had them expended that medical practice  through the hospital in the temple of Asclepius. The Temple of Asclepius itself  has been extensively preserved and offers insight into the combination of the  practice of medicine and psychology in the first century. present in the temple  complex is a theater and various baths, some of which were rather uniquely  engineered achievements, enabling the raising or lowering of the water, so that  those immersed in the bath were unable to account for the phenomenon. Some  suggest this entered into the healing process so that the rising of the waters  would be an indication that Asclepius had honored the request for him. A long  tunnel connected the bathhouse area with the solarium, which was a large  round building, boasting what amounted to a track. small apertures in the top of  the tunnel enabled priests of Asclepius to speak promising words to devotees  walking through the tunnel in search of healing. In the solarium. Some sources  indicate the presence of hundreds of non poisonous snakes whose permanent  residence was the solarium. With the assistance of certain drugs, a participant in the activities of the solarium might sleep for a period of time, or even a night in  the dormitories of Asklepion. While non poisonous snakes crawled around them 

during their sleep. They were told that the serpent god Asclepius would speak to them in dreams and give them a diagnosis. It was believed that the snakes  carried the healing power of Asclepius. And if the snake slithered across you  while you were sleeping at night, that was a divine sign that healing power was  coming to you. The next morning, the patients told their dreams to the priests  who prescribed their treatments. Finally, the patients made clay sculptures of the body parts that needed healing and offered them to Asclepius. And to the angel  of the church in Pergamos write, these things says he who has the sharp two  edged sword, I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is,  and you hold fast to my name and did not deny my faith, even in the days in  which Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was killed among you where Satan  dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who  hold the doctrine of Baalim, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before  the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual  immorality. Thus, you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans  which thing I hate, repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against  them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the  Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the  hidden manna to eat, and I will give him a white stone. And on the stone, a new  name written which no one knows, except Him who receives it. Revelation 2:12- 17. By John's time, Pergamum had been a city of considerable importance for at least four preceding centuries, and had an estimated population of 120,000. If  Ephesus was the New York of Asia Pergamum was it Washington for there the  Roman imperial power had a seat of government. In addition to its political  importance, Pergamum was celebrated as the center of intellectual life in the  whole Hellenistic world. Pergamum was also a great and important religious  center, he had become, by the time of the first century, the center of emperor  worship in the Roman world. Pergamum is precarious place to live, having  Satan's throne in your neighborhood, there are so many opportunities to  compromise. Satan is working here through the pressures of non Christian  society, they have not yet renounced their allegiance to Christ, but they are  already dancing around the edges of apostasy. Again, Christ introduced himself  with one of his descriptions from Revelation 1 vision, which is uniquely  appropriate for the situation of this church. Through the church at Pergamum.  Christ writes as the one who has a sharp double edged sword. What  significance is there in Christ reminder of his having a sword. Roman governors  were divided into two classes, those who had the enis gladiaii, the rite of the  sword, and those who did not. Those who had the rite of the sword had the  power of life and death. On their word, a person could be executed on the spot.  In terms of worldly power, the Proconsul who had his headquarters at  Pergamum, had the enis gladiaii, the rite of the sword, and at any moment he  might use it against any Christian. For the letter tells Christians not to forget that 

the last word is still with the risen Christ who has the sharp two edged sword.  According to the Epistle to the Hebrews, the word of God is sharper than any  two edged sword. The persecutors of God's people might be satanicly powerful,  yet the power of the resurrected Christ is greater. In the world, you will have  tribulation, but take courage I have overcome the world. He is indeed in control,  in control of human history, and in control of your life. Jesus has full knowledge  of this church's situation, I know where you dwell, where the throne of Satan is,  Christ has in mind not only the city of Pergamum as such, but the conditions  religious, social and moral in which the Christians and Pergamum live,  especially the emperor worship practice there to be a Christian in Pergamum  was to face what Oliver Cromwell, the protector of England would have called  an engagement very difficult. The Christians and Pergamum lived in a religious  and moral climate, which was hostile to their faith. The Greek text indicates that  they reside there permanently. On one hand, they were surrounded by  paganism and its magnificent and temples. On the other, they were exposed to  a pagan religious lifestyle and immoral practices. No wonder the lifestyle of the  pagan religion was in its own way, very appealing to some Christians in  Pergamum. Above all, emperor worship created a difficult environment for this  church. At any time, the authorities would summon the Christians and order  them to worship the Emperor and denounce Christ on threat of persecution and  death. Those who complied were issued a certificate. This made the city a place where Satan dwells and where his rule was the strongest. Today in the same  way, the devil is looking to destroy God's children you and I through seduction or persecution. For this reason, we must be alert. The apostle Peter wrote, be alert  be on watch your enemy the devil roams around like a roaring lion looking for  someone to devour. We cannot allow God's enemy to have free access in our  lives as he had in Pergamum only through Jesus, can we overcome the enemy  In these adverse conditions, the church at Pergamum had remained true to the  name of Christ. They had not denied their faith by yielding to the pressure of  burning incense to the Emperor and declaring Caesar is Lord. Even in the days  of Antipas, who was put to death in their city, they did not renounce their faith.  Little is known about this early martyr. Apart from this reference in Revelation,  the name is found in a third century inscription of Pergamum. He is mentioned  by Tertullian the legend appears in later hagiographies, and it is said that he was slowly roasted to death in a Brazen Bull during the reign of Domitian. What is  noteworthy is that he's given the Lord's own title from Revelation 1:5, faithful  witness, later martyrs in Pergamum are identified as Karpis, populous and a  Agatha. The Pergamums are evidently a divided church, some of them like  Antipas held fast Christ names in did not deny their faith, namely, they were  opposed to any compromise with the words context and lifestyle. Others in  Pergamum held the teachings of Baalim and Nicolaitans. While the Ephesians  perceived the destructive effects of the deceptive teachings of the Nicolaitans 

the churches in Pergamum and Thyatira tolerated this false teachers and the  compromise made to their religion. The fact that the Baalimites and Nicolaitans  are mentioned together suggest they were somehow related. We met them  earlier in Ephesus, and we'll meet them again in the message to the church in  Thyatira. These false teachers advocated compromise and sought to persuade  their fellow Christians, there was nothing wrong with a prudent conformity with  the world standards in order to escape persecution. As a part of the civic  obligations of the society in which they lived. The Christians in Asia were  expected to participate in religious festivals in the pagan temples, a refusal to  participate, brought ridicule and the hardships of social isolation and economic  sanctions. The Christians in Asia faced at least two problems with regard to their involvement in the pagan religious festivals. The first problem was related to the  eating of food offered to idols, the participants at the pagan festivals would  usually feast on food that consisted primarily of meat that was offered to the  local patron god. The festivals often ended with drunkenness and immoral  activities. The second problem with regard to the pagan religious festivals was  the cult prostitution, the practice that was a part of many ancient pagan  religions. Anyone who wanted economic or political or social status in society  had to participate in these religious demands. For some, the easy way is always the best option. They compromise principles for an easygoing path. What is  wrong or not appropriate according to the Bible, somehow becomes right in  order to please someone or, or for a comfortable journey. But Jesus is clear, go  in through the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the road that  leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it, but the gate to life is narrow. And the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it. On  behalf of those who have sinned, the Christians of Pergamum are told by the  risen Christ repent, a decisive action of turning around evil must not be  countenanced. Repentance is the only hope for survival that the church would  have had. Failure to repent means that the risen Christ will do battle against  them with the sword of his mouth. All of this is imagery, of course, but it is  difficult to escape. It's very strong implications that Christ intends to purify his  church and will personally do battle against those who pervert his pure gospel  into something else for this reason, an appeal resounds through the ages.  Repent, then and turn to God so that he will forgive your sins. Those who are  pets are given a three fold promise They will be given the hidden manna, a white stone and a new name written on the stone. The false teachers and Pergamum  advocated compromise in eating the pagan food sacrifice to idols in order to get  a certificate and avoid discomfort. The day is coming when those who remain  faithful and refuse to participate in pagan feasts will participate in a feast of  heavenly food. The hidden manna bread of angels reserved only for the  overcomers who reject, compromise and hold fast to Christ's name. Instead of  the Roman certificate they will receive a white stone with a new name inscribed 

on it as a reward for remaining faithful and loyal to Christ. In ancient times, a  judge gave a white stone to indicate his decision of legal acquittal or pardon. He  presented a black stone if the defendant was guilty in the context of persecution  and false accusations of the church in Pergamum. The new name signifies a  restoration of dignity of a good name, a white stone with a new name inscribed  on it entitles the overcomer to special privileges that surpass any pleasure of  this life, an eternal life. Dear friend, maybe you right now are suffering because  of your love for Christ. Please, don't give up. Jesus is with you. But perhaps this  is not your case. Maybe you have chosen the easy way. Compromises crept in.  The distinction between right and wrong has become blurred. There's too much  tolerance, too little discipline. It's time to embrace Christ's call to repentance. My friend, in the word of Christ, there is conviction of sin. In it we are confronted  with the truth and thereby with our own failure to obey. In the word of Christ,  there is an invitation to God. It convicts people of sin and invites them back into  the love of God. In the word of Christ, there is assurance of salvation. It convicts people of sin, it leads them to the cross and assures them that there is no other  name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Listen to  Jesus gentle invitation right now. Turn to Him leave the world behind. accept his  love His forgiveness and His peace accept his salvation how are you doing and  how is your life right now? Ask yourself for once and be honest and true. Take a  deep look inside at all the feelings there something's not right. Cannot Explain  so ask your heart happiness true life for that will indeed expose the truth you're  pretending to be okay trying to hide the pain. Maybe a love with life so hard to  be like this. Let God be part of who you are trust and believe your life will be  renewed. Jesus wants to carry your burden. listen to Him. Surrender yourself  today. perhaps you were thinking, I'm not talking to you. This music was meant  for someone else but please review the Lord. The father is Ready for you he  wants your heart, allow the eternal God to be part of your day united with him  you can embrace a new day. come close to Jesus. Be still to hear his voice.  Now is the moment. Inside him is your life. Let God speak. trust and believe in  me, your life will be renewed. Jesus wants to carry your burdens. Listen to him.  Surrender yourself. Let God be part of who you are in him, your life will be  renewed. Jesus wants to carry your burdens. Listen to him today. Jesus wants  to carry your burdens, surrender yourself. Our father and our God we come to  you just now in the name of Jesus, so thankful for your grace for your  forgiveness when we turn to you with all our hearts. I pray Father that You would help us today. Bless us with the willingness to heed your call to repentance. to  plunge deep into a relationship with you that is that is rewarding and saving. I  pray God that you would bless each one listening to this prayer. Give them the  assurance of salvation that their sins are forgiven, cleansed in the blood of  Jesus. And Lord I pray that you would lead us on help us to leave the world  behind and to press on in your ways in that narrow world. May our lives bring 

honor and glory to you is my prayer in Jesus name, amen. Dear friend, thank  you so much for watching us today. Don't forget to share the quest for answers.  Looking for the first followers of Christ in Turkey with your friends and relatives.  Please visit our website. On our website. You can leave us a message, your  prayer request and order a copy of today's show or the complete series. If you  moved to support our ministry, you can make your donation on our website as  well. I hope to see you again soon.