Endurance in the Face of Satanic Opposition
Despite satanic presence, his abode and his seat of power in Pergamos, Christ praised some believers there for their steadfast endurance (Revelation 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). The presence of the four cult altars, and evil influence of cult members, some brethren especially the church leadership held fast the name of Christ. They refused to bow to serpentine worship of the Emperor. The church held fast Christ’s name and refused to bow to satanic pressures. They stood for Christ, kept under His authority, and held His word, seeking only to worship and glorify His name. They did not deny His name, authority, power and word, even in difficult times. They hold fast that which is good and remained firm, and faithful in the darkest spot on earth, where Satan reigns and rules in every space
‘And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord’ (Hebrews 4:13-14).
They were denied of their rights, benefits and entitlements, yet they determined not to bow down to the devil. Their faith in Christ was challenged and threatened, but they stood their ground and refused to worship the devil. They hold fast their profession of faith without wavering, they believed in Christ’s deliverance, even to the point of death. They had multiple needs, great challenges, and impossibilities, but they trusted in Christ’s words. Cult members attacked them, challenged their God, and insulted them, but they refused to join cult
‘That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day’ (Joshua 23:7-8).
Rejecting False Deliverance and Sinful Liberty
Some of them died with their problems, but the living ones refused to seek for solution from the cult, they refused and rejected deliverances from the four cults groups. In programs, they refused to mention the names of their gods and preferred to mention the name of Christ. They refused to get their healing, wealth, or swear by the name of other gods, except Christ. They served God in hunger, thirst, pains, and refused to accept anything that will tamper with their relationship with Christ
‘And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time’ (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).
‘Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage’ (Galatians 5:1).
They were steadfast, unmovable, always working for God and doing everything to His glory. They believed in Christ, His reward and faithfulness in the fulfillment of His promises, their limits and liberty was only in Christ. Every other liberty outside the limit of God’s word was rejected. How to get rich wealth, get married, bear children, operate in anointing, prophecy that is outside God’s word was rejected. They were ready to suffer, starve and die under Christ’s liberty than in any liberty with sin. They stood on Christ’s liberty, His freedom and refuse to entangle with sin. They refused everything that will bring them again, into the yoke of bondage. Any offer, position, empowerment and joy that has sin attached to it were rejected. They were able to define liberty from the devil and the liberty from Christ. In our present day, many believers and ministers have gone astray. They embraced deliverance, positions, promotions, and empowerments from the cults around us. They step out from Christ’s liberty and entangle themselves again with the yoke of bondage because of power and fake deliverances
‘Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented’ (Hebrew 11:35-37).
‘Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel’ (Philippians 1:27).
Steadfastness in Pure Worship and Doctrine
In Pergamos, some of them were arrested, tortured and promised a lot of blessings if they deny Christ but they refused. Anything you gain, get, achieve outside Christ is useless. Any deliverance that makes you to deny Christ, compromise your faith is false liberty. The church in Pergamos was tried, mocked, put into troubles but they refused to deny Christ. Any promise, conversation that subtract Christ in the church at Pergamos was rejected. They remained steadfast, with one spirit, one mind and strove together to the end
‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world’ (1 Peter 5:8-9).
They were sober, vigilant and confronted every adversary that tried to influence them against Christ. They resisted the devil, his agents under afflictions and refused to compromise in cult’s worships. They refused to follow the errors to avoid a fall from being steadfast in serving God. They believed in the ability of God for their deliverance but in other hand, they made up their mind not to bow down to any idol even without deliverance. Their faithfulness to God was not based on what they will get. They were ready to die pleasing God under any circumstance Acts
‘And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved’ (Matthew 10:22).
They were ready to obey God’s word, hear God’s word than any other command from anywhere. They made up their mind to go through any suffering, to be hated for the sake of Christ. The believers in Pergamos, in the center of Satan’s city had to hold fast to pure worship, pure doctrine and pure Christian life. They prayed for God’s grace, received it and remained courageous and uncompromised, fearless and steadfast to the day they received the letter from Christ.