‘안디바처럼 살면 만나와 흰 돌을 받는다’
본문관찰과 묵상
버가모는 사탄의 권좌가 있었다. 우상숭배의 총 본부로 제우스신, 뱀신 및 황제숭배를 했다. 그래도 믿음으로 순교한 안디바가 있어 칭찬 받았다. 그러나 발람의 길인 재물의 유혹과 니골라당의 성적 방종이 난무했다.
QT를 통해 듣는 주님의 음성
회개하지 않으면 좌우에 날선 검인 하나님의 말씀으로 심판을 받을 것을 예언하였다. 그러나 회개하고 돌이키면 생명의 양식인 말씀으로 회복되고 의롭다 칭함을 받아 흰 돌위에 새 이름을 받는 축복이 임할 것이다.
결단과 적용
버가모 교회는 이 시대의 교회의 모습이다. 죽임당한 발람처럼(민 31:8)배금주의로 송아지 우상이 다스리고 있다. 니골라당의 교훈처럼 자유가 아닌 방종으로 성적타락이 난무한다. 그러나 오늘도 뜨겁게 달군 놋쇠 솥 안에서 순교한 안디바 처럼 순교자의 길을 가는 남은 자로 살리라. 생명의 만나를 먹으며 의롭다 칭함을 받는 새 이름을 받아 새 언약의 일꾼으로 예수 증인으로 오늘을 살리라!
‘If I live Antipas, I shall receive manna and a new name
on the white stone.’
Rev. 2:12-17
Observation and meditation on the text
Where the Church in Pergamum was Satan had his throne too. There was a headquarter for such idol worship as Zeus, Snake, and Caesar. However, the church was commended by Jesus because there was Antipas who was martyred for his faith. But overall, such Mammonism who followed Balaam’s instructions and such sexual immorality and promiscuity, who followed Nicolaitans’ teachings were prevalent in the city.
I hear the voice of the Lord through QT
John prophesied that unless the church in Pergamum would repent of their sins, they should be judged by the living word of God sharper than any two edged sword. If they repent of their sins, then, they should be restored and blessed with manna, the living word of God which was for their spiritual food for eternal life, and they should receive a white stone on which their righteous new names were engraved.
Decisions and applications
The Church in Pergamum is the very picture of today’s church. As Balaam was killed(Deu 31:8) as the picture of Mammonism, the golden calf reigns over all people today. Sexual immorality and promiscuity is prevalent as people follow the teachings of Nicolaitans. However, there is a remnant like Antipas who was martyred in a big hot pot due to his faith in Jesus Christ. I will live Antipas. I will eat the living word of God for my eternal life, and live by a righteous new name upon being pardoned my sins as I witness my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ today.