被内忧困扰的教会
启示录二章12至17节
12你要写信给别迦摩教会的使者，说：那有两刃利剑的，说：
13我知道你的居所，就是有撒但座位之处；当我忠心的见证人安提帕在你们中间、撒但所住的地方被杀之时，你还坚守我的名，没有弃绝我的道。
14然而，有几件事我要责备你：因为在你那里有人服从了巴兰的教训；这巴兰曾教导巴勒将绊脚石放在以色列人面前，叫他们吃祭偶像之物，行奸淫的事。
15你那里也有人照样服从了尼哥拉一党人的教训。
16所以，你当悔改；若不悔改，我就快临到你那里，用我口中的剑攻击他们。
17圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！得胜的，我必将那隐藏的吗哪赐给他，并赐他一块白石，石上写着新名；除了那领受的以外，没有人能认识。
信息分享
在这里所列的七间教会中，别迦摩教会位处最北。保罗曾到访该处。它是古代世界其中一个最富裕的城市。基督向别迦摩教会说了些甚么呢？
基督一开始便直言：「我知道你的居所」，这岂不是很宝贵吗？你是否居住在一个充满引诱的城市，很难做一个切实的基督徒？你是否在这样的一个地方工作？别迦摩的信徒便是处于这样的境况，而基督便向他们表明祂深知这一切。你曾否归咎环境，令你很难忠于信仰？这个根本不成理由，因为无论你身处任何环境，基督都能够帮助你去克胜障碍，做一个尽忠的信徒。
别迦摩信徒所处的环境，正是撒但活跃工作的地方。我们相信撒但确实存在；据圣经所说，撒但乃是堕落的天使。他有极大的能力，可是，却不能胜过基督。基督已经在十字架上，击败撒但的权势。只要我们祈求基督的帮助，祂必能助我们击退撒但的攻击。
别迦摩教会因为接受了某些错误的标准和行为，以致影响他的见证。一派胡言的巴兰，竟然将歪曲的道理教导信徒，说他们没有理由不入乡随俗去吃祭偶像的物和不与非信徒结婚。然而，这种与世俗妥协的做法，却是神所憎厌的。神只希望祂的儿女能够过分别为圣的生活，行事为人不要追随世俗的标准。只有这样，我们才能向世人作美好的见证。
基督最后仍语重心长地给予别迦摩信徒三个宝贵的应许。吗哪是预表基督。隐藏的吗哪是喻意基督会帮助我们的灵命成长。白石是指到赦免和友谊；这是基督会在今天白白赐予我们的。至于石上写着的新名，是基督亲自赐给我们的──当我们接受祂的那一刻，祂便会赐予我们新名，让我们成为属祂的人。我们究竟有没有竭力保守这新名的清白，不让它沾染任何污渍？
牢记：
基督知道我们的居所。
THE CHURCH THAT SUFFERED FROM WITHIN
Revelation 2:12-17
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’
Message
The city of Pergamos was the northernmost of the seven church-cities. Paul had visited there. It was also one of the wealthiest cities in that part of the old world. What did Christ say to this church?
'I know where you live.' Isn't that a great thought? Do you live in a place where it is hard to be a Christian? Do you work in such a place? The Christians at Pergamos did and Christ said he knew all about it. Do you think that sometimes your circumstances excuse you from always being faithful to Christ? They do not, because Christ is able to help you no matter where you live or where you work.
They lived where Satan was active. Satan is a definite person-a fallen angel. He has tremendous power, but he is not as great as Christ. Christ can deal with him because he broke Satan's power at the cross. He can do it for us now if we will allow him.
The witness of this church was being spoiled by some wrong attitudes and practices. Balaam was one who had taught that there was no reason why God's people could not mingle with the world and marry unbelievers. This is a compromise which God still hates and does not want to see in his children. He wants us to be completely separate from the world In our standards even though we continue to live in this world. We are to witness to the world.
In closing Christ gave three wonderful promises to the Pergamos church. Manna Is a type of Christ. Hidden manna speaks of secret nourishment for our spiritual lives. The white stone speaks of forgiveness and friendship. Christ freely gives us these today. The new name he gives us is his own-we become his when we accept him and we take his name as our own. Are we keeping that name clean?
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER:
Christ says, " know where you live'.