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Church history is not alone in its testimony about the fourth-century marriage between the New Testament church and the Roman state. The New Testament also reveals the tragic union.
Historical-Prophetic Interpretation If the Book of Revelation is approached according to historical-prophetic interpretation, it indicates that the seven churches discussed in Revelation 2-3 are not just individual, local churches from the first century. Each one also represents a distinct period of church history. Relative to a historical-prophetic interpretation, the following table provides a reasonable timeline for the entire history of the church: |
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The names of the seven churches and their meanings further appear to support a historical-prophetic interpretation:
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Church at Pergamum
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. ‘But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. ‘So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. ‘Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war 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, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it’.” (Revelation 2:12-17) Objectionable Marriage Concordant with a historical-prophetic interpretation, the writings of the Apostle John reveal a fourth-century marriage between the New Testament church and the Roman state. His letter to the ecclesia in the ancient city of Pergamum provides more specific evidence. First, Pergamum can also be interpreted as “mixed marriage.” Derived from two Greek words per (“mixed, objectionable”) and gamos (“marriage”), it can refer to a “mixed marriage” that is “objectionable.” Second, ancient Pergamum was a city where man was worshipped in place of God. It was renowned for its worship of Roman emperors. In fact, Pergamum was the home of the cult of Roman emperor worship in Asia Minor. Indeed, the first temple for emperor worship was constructed in Pergamum. It was dedicated to both the goddess Roma and the emperor Augustus in 29 BC. In ancient Pergamum, the Roman emperors were worshiped as gods. Consequently, they ruled the religious affairs of the city and therefore, the church. It resulted in an objectionable marriage between the church and the Roman state. Third, the fourth-century marriage between church and state in Pergamum was influenced by the work of Satan. Jesus referred to Pergamum as a place “where Satan’s throne is” and “where Satan dwells.” “Satan’s throne” was probably a reference to the temple of Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine and healing. People traveled many miles to Pergamum to seek healing. Allegedly, because of its power to renew itself by the shedding of its skin, Asklepios was symbolized by a serpent. Relative to Asklepios’ presumed ability to facilitate renewal and healing, he was even referred to as “savior.” Masquerading as a false “savior,” Satan served a significant role in the objectionable marriage between the church and the Roman state. Satanically inspired idolatry was normal in ancient Pergamum. Its citizens not only worshiped the Roman emperors as god but also Greek gods. Therefore, it is possible that “Satan’s throne” could also have been a reference to the idolatry of emperor worship. Thus, the worship of the emperors and their control over the church in Pergamum would have contributed to an objectionable marriage between the church and the Roman state. Fourth, the fourth-century marriage between church and state was compared to the teaching of Balaam. Jesus rebuked the church at Pergamum for allowing some to hold to the teaching of Balaam. The teaching of Balaam promoted the corruption of ancient Israel through intermarriage with the idolatrous tribes of Moab and Midian. (Numbers 22-24) The teaching of Balaam resulted in a mixed marriage between Israel and pagan nations. Fifth, the fourth-century marriage between church and state was likened to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Jesus rebuked the church at Pergamum for permitting such teaching. Some believe they were a heretical Christian sect who followed the leadership of a man named Nicolas. The name “Nicolas” means “master of the people” or “devourer of the people.” Given the name of the sect and its leader, it is probable that Nicolas was elevated in status above his followers, and reasonable to believe that he attempted to usurp glory due God alone. Thus, the mention of the Nicolaitans and their mastery over the people further supports the takeover of the church by the Roman state. Like Nicolas, the Roman state considered itself adequate to rule the people of God. Possibly contributing to the marriage between church and state, it seized control over the ecclesia in Pergamum. Sixth, the fourth century marriage between church and state was one of convenience. After 300 years of persecution, the protection and provision of the Roman Empire must have been extremely attractive. It could have appeared as an answer to prayer. Marriage with the simulated Roman church, however, was the equivalent of submission to the Roman Empire for protection and provision and, therefore, a failure to trust God. The fourth century marriage between church and state constituted an idolatrous relationship. For that reason, the church at Pergamum was exhorted by Jesus to repent of their idolatry. |
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Blessed Union
In contrast to the protection and provision of the Roman government, Jesus promised to provide overcomers with two incredible blessings. First, “hidden manna” and, second, “a white stone” with “a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17) The promise of “hidden manna” was vastly superior to worldly protection and provision of the Roman state. It was quite possibly a reference to Jesus Himself. Thus, the fulfillment of the promise would mean that the overcomer would receive eternal sustenance by his union with Christ, the “bread of life.” (cf. John 6:31-51) The message to the church at Pergamum was clear: repent from dependence on the Roman government for worldly need and trust in its blessed union with Christ. Thus, it clarified that the fourth-century church did not need to depend on worldly sustenance from an illicit marriage of convenience. Jesus was more than capable of fulfilling every need of His bride! Conditioned on their repentance, Christ also promised the church at Pergamum a “white stone” with “a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.” There is speculation about the meaning of the white stone and the name written on it. According to Albert Barnes, “….some have supposed that the reference is to a custom of the Roman emperors, who, in the games and spectacles which they gave to the people in imitation of the Greeks, are said to have thrown among the populace dice or tokens inscribed with the words, "Frumentum, vestes," etc.; that is, "Corn, clothing," etc.; and whosoever obtained one of these received from the emperor whatever was marked upon it.”[1] Regardless of the exact meaning of the white stone, it is clear that the receiving of it connoted favor. The one who received the white stone in some way gained the approval of one in authority. The “white stone” had a new name written on it. The English word “written” used in verse 17 is translated from the perfect, passive, participle form of the Greek word “grafoo.” A.T. Robertson explains that the meaning of “grafoo” in verse 17 is not a reference to the “man's own name, but that of Christ.”[2] In other words, the repentant believer was promised the acceptance and favor of God provided through his blessed union with Jesus Christ. It was evidenced by the very name of the One possessing all authority in heaven and on earth! Physical gifts offered by the Roman Empire could not possibly compare. Understood from a historical-prophetic perspective, the New Testament confirms that an objectionable marriage between the church and Roman state was initiated during the fourth century. Generally, the Apostle John recorded it within his broad revelation of church history. (Revelation 2-3) More specifically, he provided details of the historic marriage in his letter to the ecclesia in ancient Pergamum (AD313-600). © 2023 James Hiatt |
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