Change Your Mind
The Christians at Pergamon were commanded to change their mind.
'Therefore, change your mind. But if you do not, I am coming quickly; and I will war against them with the sword out from my mouth. (
Revelation 2:16)
"Change your mind" is the Greek metanoevw (metanoeo), where metav (meta) means change and noevw (noeo) means the mind, or thinking. The word is often translated, repent, which is fine as long as it is understood that the word has nothing to do with subjectivity, such as feeling sorrow or penance. The change of mind is necessary toward Bible Doctrine. The only way to advance to the high ground of the Spiritual life is to execute Bible Doctrine, which requires thinking doctrine. The thinking of the Christians at Pergamon regarding the Prostitute of Babylon and the Nikolaitan apostasy must change.
The Christians at Pergamon were further reminded that time is short. They need to change their mind, which means Rebound and get moving with Bible Doctrine, because the Lord is "coming quickly." This obviously didn't mean immediately. It meant that the next prophecy to be fulfilled in the Church Age will be the Rapture. The reminder is that the Lord will execute the enemies of Israel at the Second Advent. Just as He will use the sword that comes from his mouth at the Second Advent (
Revelation 1:16; 19:15), He will also use the sword to protect the Christian and the Jew until then.
Blessings for the Winner
Special rewards in this life and for eternity will be given to those Christians who handle the counterattack at Pergamon with Bible Doctrine.
'He who has an ear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To the winner, I will give him the hidden manna, and I will give him a white pebble, and upon the pebble a new title has been inscribed, which no one knows except the person receiving it.' (
Revelation 2:17)
Anyone with a single ear should listen to what the Holy Spirit is communicating to the churches of Asia. Even though the Lord Jesus Christ is speaking, the Holy Spirit is communicating also because this refers to the execution of Bible Doctrine. Blessings in time and eternity will be given to the winner-believer who passes the testing of the Pergamon church. The blessings for the winner-believer are:
"Hidden manna" - Faith (X-axis); Bible Doctrine - Just as manna was food to be eaten, Bible Doctrine is the sustenance of the Spiritual Life (
John 4:32). Bible Doctrine must be metabolized, which means it must be executed in the Spiritual Life. The manna is hidden just as the mystery doctrine of the Church Age is UNSEEN (
2 Corinthians 4:18). (emphasis mine)
"White pebble" - Love (Y-axis); a vote of confidence - Pebbles were used for voting (
Acts 26:10). A white pebble was for a yes vote and a black pebble was for a no vote. The Lord will intercede for the believer in the fight against the devil. The personal support of the Lord is from His Love.
"New title" - a promotion from Authority (Z-axis) - The winner will receive a promotion with a new title, which will be engraved upon the white pebble. This is an insignia of rank to be worn on the Resurrection Body...
http://www.biblenews1.com/babylon/babylon6.html
Now, one does not get
any of this at Salvation;
and I'll wager that no ones Pastor is telling them how
to get them, although they may be earnestly trying;
I'd be interested in hearing about any, but no more
religion, please.
And don't let the "z-axis" stuff put you off;
it's just something you don't have a metaphor for--yet.
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