Dina Wahyu 2:13 Yésus ngomong ngeunaan tahta Sétan di Pergamos (Pergamon). Pergamon mangrupikeun salah sahiji tina tujuh kota, anu disebatkeun ku Yesus dina Kitab Wahyu. The seven cities were part of Asia Minor and belonged to the Roman empire. Despite the Roman conquest, the Greek culture predominated. Ku kituna, the cities were full of the occult. The churches were daily confronted with idolatry, saag (séksual) rituals and customs, patandingan, elmu sihir, macian, jeung cabul. Salila Yesus’ visitation to John on the Isle of Patmos, Jesus mentioned the throne of Satan (the seat of Satan). Where was the throne of Satan? The throne of Satan was in Pergamos (Pergamon), where Satan dwelled. But what did Jesus mean by the throne of Satan?
What does the Bible say about the city of Pergamos?
Dina Wahyu 2:12-13 ceuk Yesus, that Satan dwelled in Pergamos and that the throne of Satan or the seat of Satan was in Pergamos.
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges; Abdi terang karya, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast My name, and hast not denied My faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth (Wahyu 2:12-13)
Abdi
If the throne of Satan or the seat of Satan was in Pergamos then this means that Satan had authority in the territory of Pergamos and that he governed the city. Ku kituna, the whole city was under Satan’s authority.
Satan reigned in Pergamos through the works and lives of the people. Jelema, who lived in Pergamos worshiped Satan and gave Satan power through their works and the lives they lived.
The devil gave the people what they wanted, namely wisdom, pangaweruh, kamakmuran, kakuatan, hiburan jeung nyageurkeun.
When we look at the buildings, budaya, works and the lives of the people, we’ll find out how satanl established his throne in Pergamos. (Baca ogé: Kakuatan Iblis dibentuk ku dosa).
The Acropolis
Pergamos was the cultural capital of the Hellenistic (Yunani) budaya. Despite the Roman conquest, the Greek culture predominated. Di 29 BC Pergamos became the capital of Asia Minor. And the first Roman temple was built in honor of Rome and August the empire.
The (king’s) palaces, pagan temples, the Pergamon altar, the great library, the gymnasia, the theaters, the amphitheater, the stoa’s, the Prytaneion (seat of the government; building from which the government exercises authority), the market place (agora) and fountains were all built on the Acropolis of Pergamos.
The pagan temples
The devil was exalted and worshiped in the pagan temples; the temple of Athena, the temple of Dionysos, the temple of Demeter, the temple of Rome and August, and the temple of Hera.
In the second century AD, the temple of Trajan and the Egyptian temple were built. The temple of Trajan was built in honor of the emperor Trajan. The Egyptian temple was built for the Egyptian gods Serapis and Isis. This Egyptian temple is also called the Red Basilica.
When Christendom became the state religion of the Roman empire, the ancient pagan temples, including the Red Basilica, were used as churches.
The great Pergamon altar; the altar of Zeus
The people offered sacrifices for Satan on the altars, including the great altar of Pergamon. The great altar of Pergamon was built on one of the terraces of the Acropolis in honor of Zeus and Athena.
Although the great altar of Pergamon is also called the altar of Zeus, the supreme Greek deity and god of the sky, there was insufficient proof to confirm it.
The gymnasium and the great library
Satan gave his people wisdom, pangaweruh, jeung wawasan. Satan educated his people in the gymnasium. He learned his pupils to write, and read, and were educated by philosophers, and practiced sports naked
Not only were the Greek gods worshiped in the gymnasium, but also the Egyptian gods. Since the Greeks adopted many aspects of the Egyptians.
Besides the gymnasium, the people were also educated in Pergamos’ great library, which was the second-largest library in the world
The theaters
Satan kept his people busy and entertained them in a.o. the amphitheater, bioskop, and made them relax in the thermal baths.
The Asclepeion; medical center
Satan provided everything, including a place where his people could go for healing. Because in Pergamon was also the Asclepeion, which was the pagan temple of Asclepius.
This healing temple (medical center and ancient sanatorium) was built and dedicated to Asclepius; the first doctor-demi god in Greek mythology and the god of medicine and healing.
Asclepius was the son of Apollo and Coronis and had healing power. Many people believed in his healing power and therefore, they came to the Asclepion to get healed.
In the Asclepeion were also thermal baths, a stadium, a gymnasium, a library, and a theater. Because it was believed that rest, exercise, and relaxation in the form of entertainment would promote a healthy lifestyle and contribute to the healing process. The physicians were educated and trained in the Asclepeion.
The priests of the Asclepeion; the physicians
The Asclepiades were the temple priests of the Asclepeion and were called physicians. One of the most famous physicians, who is also considered the founder of medicine was Hippocrates.
The oath of Hippocrates Asalna tina Asclepeion of Kos sareng munggaran dicandak ku ulama-ulama na salaku sababaraha jinis ritual inisiasi.
Sumpah Hippocrates masih dipaké kiwari ku dokter. Dunya nyebatna étika profésional. Tapi kanyataanana, dokter ngabeungkeut diri ka dewa ubar Asclepius, anu mangrupakeun kakuatan demonic ti karajaan gelap.
Tapi Hippocrates teu hijina dokter well-dipikawanoh. Dokter anu kasohor sanésna nyaéta Galen.
Galen ngamimitian diajar sareng pelatihan médis di Asclepeion di Pergamos.
Bapana Galen mimitina hayang putrana diajar filsafat atawa pulitik. Tapi nalika bapana Galen narima ngimpi ti dewa Asclepius, nu Asclepius maréntahkeun bapana Galen pikeun ngirim putrana ka Asclepeion pikeun diajar ubar, Galen’s father obeyed the voice of Asclepius and send his son to the Asclepeion.
The priests of the Asclepeion dedicated themselves to the temple and received insights and revelations from Asclepius.
The sclepiusfeasts
Every four years Asclepiusfeasts were held with sports (patandingan), which were performed in the nude, and dance, drama, and music competitions in honor of the god Asclepius. The games began on the first day with a sacrifice to the god Asclepius.
The temple sleep in the Asclepeion
The Asclepeion was best known for its temple sleep. After following certain rituals, like sacrifices to the gods, praying special prayer formulas, and ritual purifications, the patient went to the dormitory in the temple.
In the dormitory, they were hypnotized. During their sleep, they hoped that Asclepius would heal them or that they would receive a dream of him or of one of his children (Pikeun. Kabersihan, Panacea, and Aceso). When they received a dream, they went to the priest of Asclepius (dokter).
The priest of Asclepius would analyze the dream and provide treatment. Sometimes the treatments included an operation, whereby the patient was put to sleep by using i.e. opium.
Modern medicine and hospitals have their origin in these healing temples of Asclepius.
They have their origin in Asclepius, the god of medicine, who gave insights and revelations, which are in reality insights and revelations by demonic powers of the kingdom of darkness, to philosophers, priests of the Asclepeion, and physicians.
The staff of Asclepius
In our modern society, we still see the symbol of the god Asclepius, anu mangrupa rod Asclepius or the staff of Asclepius; a serpent entwined around a rod (or staff). This staff or rod was carried by Asclepius in his hand and is still used as a symbol for healing and medicine.
The occult way of healing
Although many people were healed in the Asclepeion, the believers should have rejected this occult way of healing, when Christendom became the state religion of the Roman empire. Tapi aranjeunna henteu.
Instead of rejecting this way of healing, Christians adopted these methods and applied them to the church.
The church adopted among others the temple sleep in the church and monastery and dikristenkeun éta.
The only difference was that they didn’t call upon Asclepius as they did in the Asclepeion. Gantina, they called upon God, para wali, and martyrs. But the practices and methods were exactly the same.
They didn’t stand on the Word and didn’t believe in the Name of Jesus and that by the stripes of Jesus they were healed (Éléh 53:5, 1 P pe 2:24). Gantina, they adopted pagan rituals and methods and committed idolatry. Through their idolatry they allowed gaib to enter the church.
Occult practices in Jesus’ time
There is so much more to write about the occult practices in Pergamos. But the fundamental issue is that all these things that took place in occult Pergamos, where Satan had established his throne and where he dwelled, still take place and has become the center of our society.
The occult practices of the Roman empire, where the Greek culture predominated, already existed before Jesus came to the earth and during His walk on earth. Sanajan kitu, we don’t read anything in the Bible that Jesus got involved with these pagan practices.
We don’t read anything about Jesus going to the theatre and being entertained and visiting sports (patandingan) or music competitions.
We don’t read anything about Jesus being focused on exercising or exercising Himself and promoting a healthy way of living. Neither do we read anything about Jesus sending someone to the Asclepeion.
Although Jesus came to the world and lived in the world, Yesus henteu milik dunya ieu.
Jesus belonged to another Kingdom, a Kingdom which was not of this world. That’s why Jesus wasn’t occupied with the things of this world, but with the things of heaven; the things of His Father.
Jesus didn’t walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit and saw the works of Satan. Instead of getting involved with the evil works of Satan, Yesus cicing taat to God and His words and walked after parentah-Na dina kersa-Na.
Kusabab kanyataanna, that Jesus walked after the Spirit and stayed loyal to the commandments of God, Jesus could fulfill His mission.
What is the throne of Satan?
Jesus revealed to John that the throne of Satan was in Pergamos and that Pergamos was Satan’s dwelling place. When we look at the city of Pergamos, it could very well be, that the throne of Satan not only referred to the altar of Zeus. But the throne of Satan referred to the whole city of Pergamos; pamaréntah, agama, pendidikan, jeung kahirupan jalma.
Everything that was built was inspired by Satan. Satan was the author and ruled in all these places. Satan’s purpose was to inspire the people and reign in their lives. Jadina, Satan would be exalted by the people.
Satan was very active in the lives of people. Especially in the lives of political leaders and religious leaders.
Satan was lord and master in his temples, the great altar, the great library, the gymnasium, the Prytaneion, and the Asclepeion (antique sanatorium, hospital).
Satan invented all these things to keep people busy. Satan entertained them and bound them to him.
Jelema, who visited these places belonged to Satan and his kingdom and served him. Satan took possession of everyone, who entered his territory.
Satan knew exactly what the carnal man wanted. Therefore Satan seduced and attracted them with his wisdom, pangaweruh, kamakmuran, kasehatan, kakuatan, sihir, hiburan, and anticipated on the lusts and (séksual) desires of the carnal man. As soon as he possessed them, he executed his plan of destruction in their lives.
The persecution of Christians in Pergamos
No wonder, that Christians were persecuted in Pergamos. Satan saw that his territory was under attack and taken by Christians.
To prevent his territory from being taken by Christians, Satan tried to eliminate his enemies through doktrin palsus, carnal seductions, compromising with the pagan culture, bowing to leaders, jeung denying Jesus Christ.
And if all these things didn’t work, because the Christians stayed obedient and faithful to Jesus Christ and His Word, and didn’t deny Jesus and didn’t bow to Satan, who ruled in the lives of the political and religious leaders, the Christians were put to death (Baca ogé: ‘Naha anjeun ngaku Yesus saméméh lalaki atawa anjeun mungkir Yesus).
Di masarakat urang, we still see the influence of the Roman and Greek cultures in the western world. If you are spiritually asleep and your spiritual eyes are closed you don’t see it. But when you awake spiritually, your eyes shall be opened. Anjeun bakal ningali, yén sagala hal anu dianggap normal sareng henteu bahaya di masarakat urang henteu dianggap normal sareng henteu bahaya dina bebeneran Cahaya. Tapi diideuan ku karajaan gelap.
Pangaweruh bakal nambahan
Tapi anjeun, Daniel, cicingeun kecap, jeung ngégél buku, malah nepi ka jaman ahir: loba bakal lumpat ka mudik, jeung pangaweruh bakal ngaronjat (Daniel 12:4)
Dina Kitab Daniel, geus ditulis yén pangaweruh bakal nambahan. Pangaweruh ieu teu aya hubunganana sareng pangaweruh spiritual ngeunaan bebeneran Allah, Kecap na, jeung Karajaan-Na. Tapi pangaweruh ieu nujul kana pangaweruh dunya ieu (élmu), nu asalna tina budaya Yunani sarta diideuan ku kakuatan jahat tina gelap.
Kusabab Firman Allah teh bebeneran, urang nempo yén kecap Allah ngeunaan kanaékan pangaweruh carnal keur kaeusi.
The focus on the increase of knowledge and wisdom has never been so present.
It is expected from people that they perform on the highest level and obtain the highest education and the highest positions in society. And this already starts at a young age.
When a child develops slowly, teachers immediately inform their parents and call them to action.
The child is no longer allowed to be a child. But the child is expected to grow up speedily and to perform. The child is analyzed and put in a box, through means of SATs, which are developed by élmuwan (origin Greek philosophy) to measure the intelligence level of a child.
Many parents don’t listen to the needs and desires of their children. They don’t look at what makes their children happy. But most parents impose their will and push their children to perform at a high level and obtain the highest education. So that their children get a high position in society and their parents can show off.
Children are unhappy and feel lost
There is such pressure on children, that many children are unhappy and feel that they are not heard, ditarima, and loved and that’s why many children derail.
It’s not surprising that so many barudak ngarasa leungit and are not happy, but experience identity disorders or are depressed and even commit suicide.
The world wonders, why so many children derail and commit suicide. But they don’t look at the cause, that the world has created.
People think that the wisdom and knowledge of this world are the most important thing in life and Satan makes use of this.
The more intelligent and the higher the education of the person, the more possession Satan takes of the person.
The person is inspired by Satan and receives insights, pangaweruh, hikmah, and revelations, and gets involved with demonic powers. And where demonic powers are present, sexual uncleanness takes place.
Idolatry leads to sexual uncleanness
Sexual uncleanness is a manifestation of the activity of demonic powers. This happened in Pergamos, where it was normal to have plural sexual relationships with both males and females outside the perkawinan covenant. And let’s not forget the sexual relationships with minors, especially boys. But that should not be surprising, since they played sports naked. But all these sexual uncleannesses were an kekejian to God and still are an abomination to God.
Éta alesanana, God warned His people to not get involved with idolatry, pagan rituals, and pagan customs, which were considered normal to the Gentiles, but to God they were abominations.
Allah masihan umat-Na Beuteungna to reveal Bumina jeung Jalanna.
Dina perjanjian anyar, the apostles of Jesus not only stayed in Israel to preach the gospel, kawas Yesus, but they went into the world to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.
When they went to the Gentiles, they were confronted with the pagan cultures and their idolatry and fornication (najis séksual).
The Gentiles were raised in a pagan culture. They were accustomed to their culture, kabinot, and rituals and considered them normal, because they were part of their culture. They didn’t know any better. Just like the people of God, who lived in Egypt for 430 taun sarta digedékeun di Mesir sarta éta akrab jeung budaya Mesir jeung adat istiadat sarta dianggap aranjeunna normal (Baca ogé: ‘Unggal budaya ngaleungit dina Kristus').
Tapi Gusti henteu nganggap hal-hal ieu normal. Éta sababna Gusti hoyong umat-Na renew pikiran maranéhanana kalayan firman sareng parentah-Na. Allah miharep umat-Na ngajauhan ibadah brahala jeung cabul.
Pangersa Allah henteu robih dina Perjangjian Anyar
Pangersa Allah henteu robih. Dina perjanjian anyar, ieu masih kersa-Na. Ku sabab kitu rasul-rasul nyarioskeun kasucian sareng kasucian ka Gusti deui dina Perjangjian Anyar. Maranehna marentahkeun ka nu mukmin sangkan hirup suci jeung ngahapus sagala dosa jeung kajahatan di antara maranehna. Rasul-rasul ngingetkeun jalma-jalma mukmin pikeun henteu kalibet dina nyembah brahala sareng cabul.
Para rasul terang pisan yén éta rahmat Allah didn’t mean to keep living in sin and that it didn’t matter how you live. Aranjeunna terang, that the life in Jesus Christ as the kreasi anyar didn’t mean walking as the old creation and compromising with the world. Because if they did believe this, as so many Christians do today, then they would not address the carnal works and sin. They wouldn’t have commanded the believers to repent and remove them from their lives.
Dina perjanjian kolot, God didn’t want His people to get involved with pagan cultures and customs. Gantina, God wanted them to separate themselves from them and stay dedicated and obedient to Him and His Word. God still doesn’t want His people to get involved with the pagan culture of this world.
The throne of Satan established on earth
Sagala hal, which took place in Pergamon, lumangsung di dunya sarta geus jadi puseur kahirupan jalma.
Kakaisaran Romawi, dimana budaya Yunani didominasi, masih aya sareng ngadominasi di bumi. Nunjukkeun, yén Iblis geus ngadegkeun tahta-Na di bumi. Sétan masih allah dunya ieu sareng jalma-jalma nyembah Sétan salaku allah ngaliwatan kahirupan anu aranjeunna hirup.
Sétan ngarebut pikiran jalma-jalma. Kusabab Iblis terang, yén nalika anjeunna ngadalikeun pikiran, anjeunna gaduh kahirupan. Anjeunna masihan aranjeunna naon anu dipikahoyong sareng nyumponan kabutuhan dagingna. Jeung dina mulang, jalma-jalma nyembah Iblis sareng masihan kakuatan Iblis ngalangkungan padamelan sareng kahirupanna.
Allah nu Maha Nyipta
Tapi Allah téh nu Nyipta langit sareng bumi sareng sadaya anu aya di jerona. Pangersa Allah sareng hukum-Na, nu hukum Roh, ditetepkeun salamina. Firman-Na teh bebeneran jeung nangtung salawasna!
Sakabeh ciptaan mere kasaksian ka Allah sahingga teu aya jalma anu boga alesan. Unggal jalma, anu teu hayang tunduk ka Allah jeung Firman jeung parentah-Na wajib mawa cilaka leuwih hirupna jeung bakal judged ku Kecap dina Poé agung Gusti (John 12:48).
'Janten uyah bumi'
Sumber: kamus Alkitab pictorial Zondervan urang, Wikipedia
