In Revelation 2:12-17, we meet the Church in Pergamum, a group of Christians that one has to admire for holding fast to the name of Jesus in a city that Jesus called “Satan’s throne,” and even after one of their number had been killed for his faith. Although they were steadfast in resisting outside attacks, they were less vigilant about the beliefs and practices of their own members, so Jesus urged them to repent by practicing church discipline, or else he would have to come and practice it himself. As with all the churches, he promised rich blessings for those who would hear his words and conquer by their faith.
God delights to bring deliverance through unlikely people and in surprising ways.
All of a sudden, in John 11:55-12:26, Jesus not only permitted but encouraged people publicly to recognize him as king. What had changed? What...
A depressingly common theme that runs through human history is the oppression of the poor by the rich. In the first century, Christians were...