‘I know where you dwell, where SATAN’S SEAT IS; and YOU HOLD FIRMLY (krateō: to keep carefully and faithfully) TO 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.” (Revelation 2:13) It has been well documented that “Satan’s seat” referenced here was the ALTAR OF ZEUS at Pergamum. Antipas was martyred in 92 AD by burning a brazen bull-shaped altar used for casting out demons, worshiped by the local population. Roman emperor Domitian was the first Roman Emperor who had demanded to be addressed as dominus et deus (master and god). That’s why it was called SATAN’S SEAT.
“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which YOU RECEIVED and on which you have TAKEN YOUR STAND. By this gospel YOU ARE SAVED, IF YOU HOLD FIRMLY to the WORD, I preached to you. Otherwise, YOU HAVE BELIEVED IN VAIN.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
SO, WE MUST HOLD ON TO THIS GOSPEL, BECAUSE YOU HAVE…
- RECEIVED IT: Paul says this, “Brothers and sisters, here is what I want you to know. The gospel I preached is not something a human being made up. No one gave it to me. No one taught it to me. Instead, I RECEIVED IT FROM JESUS CHRIST. He showed it to me.” (Galatians 1:11-12)
- BELIEVED IT: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching THE GOSPEL of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL.” (Mark 1:14-15)
- TAKEN YOUR STAND IN IT: When you see the glory of the Son of God, and you see that He would want to count you as His friend, and you are willing to take your stand with John, three things will happen to you:
- YOU WILL GROW IN HUMILITY. By definition, you will come to think less of yourself and more of Jesus.
- YOU WILL LEARN TO WORSHIP. One reason why many struggle to enter into worship is that we think too much of ourselves and too little of Jesus.
- YOU WILL DISCOVER HOPE. What we have been learning does more than humble the proud; it also brings hope to the downcast.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham