As we seek to understand the possible symbolism of the 144,000, we need to first review the principles of biblical symbolism so that we do not drift into “free association”—the claim that something is representative without fully establishing the biblical connections that lead to this belief. Without doing this, almost anyone can claim that just about anything means just about anything. This is a recipe for delusion.

         We continue our study of the church at Pergamos (meaning “elevated,” approximately. A.D. 323 - 538) This week, we will cover the rest His complaint against this church, and also how it applies to us.

“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. 

As we consider the anointing for mobilizing, we must also understand how this applies to numbers. John the Baptist had an anointing to call and prepare all of Judea for the Lord. However, most do not start with such an ability to call great numbers. It is likely that John’s ministry was not that popular at first either. Usually we must learn to be faithful in the little before we are given greater authority.

The most mature Christians will be evidenced by their ability to appreciate and embrace those who are different, but are of the same faith in Christ. Only when we start to understand and appreciate the differences in the different parts of the body will we ever fit together properly, learn to function together, and thereby multiply our fruitfulness.

Last week we covered a number of practical issues concerning the kingdom of God, especially how elders or anyone given authority in the church need to be given specific authority, not general authority. Those appointed need to know their sphere of authority and stay within it or there will be an open door for confusion and division.

The next work of the flesh in this study is "strife." This is from the Greek word, eritheia, which is usually translated "contention" or "strife," but also could be translated "intrigue." By implication, this is the tendency to secretly spread strife. This is an evil that can be found in almost every congregation, and has almost certainly done more damage to the church than all of the cults and persecutions combined.

Robin McMillan, senior pastor of MorningStar Fellowship in Charlotte, had an important and profound insight into the gospel of the kingdom. It seems that every message to date which has claimed to be the gospel of the kingdom was devoted mostly to bringing men back into obedience, and was usually demonstrated by having men submit to other men. Certainly obedience to the Lord is an important issue, but it was not the main emphasis of the Lord’s own teachings on the kingdom.

Our study this week is from Ephesians 6:12:

On August 22, 2005, I had a dream in which I was walking down a seemingly nice, tranquil street. Suddenly, I had the sense that there was great danger coming toward me from the west. As I turned to face it, I saw a most sinister looking dark cloud rolling along the ground. It stretched in a straight line for as far as I could see, and it was very close. I fled to the house nearby, and I knew if I could get inside I would be safe. When I tried to open the door it was locked, but I had the key in my pocket.