Readings:
1 Maccabees 6-7
Revelation 2:12-29

1 Maccabees 6-7

After a failed invasion of a Persian country to the east of Mesopotamia, Antiochus IV becomes ill and dies. His son becomes king in his stead, but the damage to his kingdom has been done because of his heavy handed rule in Judea that precipitated the Maccabean revolt.

The Seleucid general that had raised the young Antiochus V invades again and brings a much larger army. They have the Jewish rebels back on their heels and are laying siege to Jerusalem when he hears that the general who was in Persia with the deceased Antiochus IV is headed to Antioch to seize the capital. He makes a quick peace with the Jewish defenders of Jerusalem and turns back to fight in the civil war.

The story jumps forward a couple of years and tells of how a man named Demetrius leaves exile in Rome and sails to Antioch. He overthrows and kills Antiochus V and makes himself king. Then he sends an army and a delegation down to Jerusalem to install Alcimus as high priest in the temple because he’d got into Demetrius’ ear and convinced him he’d be a good ally to have to control the Jews.

It’s sad that some of the faithful Jews went out to negotiate with this Alcimus because they thought him being a descendant of Aaron and having a rightful claim to be a high priest, that he’d deal honestly and wouldn’t be the worst thing to let him into the city to take over the temple, but they’re sorely mistaken. He’s an evil and wicked man, not really a follower of the God of Israel at all. Sometimes a good family can have a complete scoundrel in it.

Alcimus returns to Antioch with his tail between his legs and the kings is probably very upset, so he sends Nicanor down to completely wipe out the Jews, rather than just subjugate them. This man hated the sons of Jacob, so a character not unlike Haman from the story of Esther.

Nicanor tried to capture Judas through treachery but was found out so he battled him instead. When he went up to the temple the priests came out to see him and show him that they were offering daily offerings to God for the king. This was actually a standard practice and legend says that Alexander the Great visited Jerusalem after conquering Egypt, there he paid for lots of sheep and goats to be offered on his behalf. The pagans often had no problem with the God of the Jews, they just resented the monotheism of the Jews because that said that the gods of their homelands were just stone and wood. That’s what they found so offensive.

Nicanor threatens the temple to be burned down unless Judas is handed over, so the priests go back into the temple and start praying and sacrificing for deliverance from the Syrian army. Judas ends up defeating and killing Nicanor in battle soon after, so he was unable to carry out his threat to burn down the temple.

Revelation 2:12-29

Pergamum was located about 40 miles northeast of Smyrna. It was an early and enthusiastic adopter of the cult of emperor worship, this is why it’s referred to as the throne of satan. Worshiping these men as gods was one of the worst things society could do because it’s not only idolatry, but it emboldened the rulers to eventually see themselves as living gods (originally an emperor was deified after death, but eventually they were recognized as gods during their lives).

If power corrupts, and ultimate power corrupts ultimately, then you can imagine what kind of abuses of power and corruption a man would be capable of if he truly believed he was a god. By enthusiastically supporting this new type of paganism, the people of this city enabled the severe persecution that the Christians currently experienced. The Christians are commended for holding fast to the faith, even during these bouts of violence and persecution.

But despite this, they also have some problems in the church. Some have engaged in sexual immorality and eaten the food sacrificed to idols. This is a stumbling block for them and other members of the church. They’re called to repent or be slayed by the sword that Christ wields in judgment. That’s a callback to when Balaam was killed by a sword. Also some hold the unknown teachings of the Nicolaitans.

The white stone was used in ancient near eastern courts to cast a vote in favor of acquittal, also sometimes used as something of a ticket to an invite only assembly. It can be seen as an offer to be acquitted at the final judgment and a pass to enter into the assembly of heaven.

Next up is Thyatira, it’s a city about 40 miles east of Pergamum. The church here is commended for their faith, love and endurance. They’re chastised for a false prophetess called Jezebel. This is probably more of a title than name, because she’s leading them into immorality and idolatry, just like the queen of the same name in the northern kingdom of Israel. It also seems to be saying she was leading them in occult and magical practices when it says “deep things of satan”.

He also says he has given her time to repent but she refuses. Anyone involved with her will be judged as she is judged, but the rest of the church that isn’t involved with Jezebel receives no reprimand from Jesus.

Tomorrow’s Readings:
1 Maccabees 8-9
Revelation 3