To Pergamum and Thyatira
Day 698, Friday, July 10
Revelation 2:12-29
The church in Pergamum
This city was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and had a temple dedicated to Roma and to the Emperor Augustus—the throne of Satan.
John commends the church for its faithfulness in spite of the persecution that came from refusing to worship the imperial cult. That resistance led to the martyrdom of at least one of the believers, Antipas. Unfortunately we know nothing about him beyond this reference.
But Pergamum doesn’t completely escape John’s criticism. They have allowed some people to stay in the church who teach heresy.
The church in Thyatira
The description of Jesus as having eyes like blazing fire and feet like burnished bronze could be an affirmation that he is superior to Apollo, who was particularly worshiped in the city.
John again begins with word of commendation. Thyatira had the opposite experience from Ephesus—their faithfulness has grown rather than declines. “I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.”
As with Pergamum, their failing is tolerating false teaching within their midst. A woman in their midst who is either named Jezebel or is being equated with the Jezebel of the Old Testament, claims to be a prophet but is teaching falsehoods. She has had time to repent of her immorality, but has refused. “Those who commit adultery with her” might be literal or might refer to worshiping idols.
To those who have not falled prey to Jezebel’s false teaching, Jesus, through John, requires only steadfastness. “I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Friday meditation

Ecclesiastes 7:11-18
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.
Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness. Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise—why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool—why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.

Prayer focus
May you find us, like the church at Pergamum, to be growing in faith and faithfulness.