Revelation 2:12-17 addresses the church in Pergamos. It’s called the compromising church and “the place where satan dwells”. The Scripture is saying, “I know you try to live as a follower of Christ even though the influence of satan is all around you”.
Pergamos was “the church that got married to the world”. After 10 years of persecution the emperor who had been doing the persecution (Diocletian) died. Constantine became emperor and embraced the church. Instead of being persecuted, all of the sudden Christians were celebrated. And Constantine became the head of the church. The pagan temples became Christian churches. Heathen festivals became Christian festivals. Constantine turned “idol priests” into Christian priests and put them on the payroll. All this happened almost overnight.
Walter Scott says, “Constantine offered his gold and patronage to the church and the church eagerly swallowed the bait. The church and the state were locked in each others arms. It was a fatal union.” The church gave in to the government and eventually began bowing down to the emperor.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”.
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