Renewing Your Mind Podcast Summary

Podcast: Renewing Your Mind
Host: Nathan W. Bingham
Teacher: Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, Chairman and Teaching Fellow at Ligonier Ministries
Episode: Letters to Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis
Date: October 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. W. Robert Godfrey continues his study of Revelation’s seven letters, focusing on Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis (Revelation chapters 2–3). Dr. Godfrey analyzes both Christ’s commendation and criticism of these churches, highlighting the dangers of compromise, false teaching, and spiritual complacency, while drawing rich symbolism from Old Testament history. He urges believers to stand firm in truth, live holy lives, and find encouragement in Jesus’ promises.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Pergamum: Faithfulness Amid Pressure (01:32–11:00)

• Context & Commendation:

  • Pergamum was a prominent city and Roman capital, with intense imperial and pagan religious influences (notably, a temple to Zeus).
  • Jesus knows the pressures they face: “I know where you live, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name.” (02:00)
  • Commended for retaining faith even during persecution and the martyrdom of Antipas.

• Condemnation & Warning:

  • Some in the church are following “the teachings of Balaam” and the “Nicolaitans.”
  • Idolatry and associated immorality threaten the church—Dr. Godfrey notes that “immorality” sometimes is synonymous with “idolatry” in Scripture.

• Symbolic References:

  • “Balaam and Balak” as archetypes for those who would lead God’s people into compromise (07:00).
  • Quote: “The same kind of phenomenon of trying to curse the people of God, of trying to lead them astray into false worship that happened in the wilderness is now happening again.” (07:40)

• Promise:

  • To those who repent: “I will give some of the hidden manna... a white stone with a new name.” (09:00)
    • Hidden manna alludes to God’s provision; the white stone symbolizes acquittal, as per ancient juries.

2. Thyatira: Holding Fast Amid Corruption (11:00–21:55)

• Context & Commendation:

  • Praised for love, faith, service, perseverance, and growth: “Your latter works exceed the first.” (11:32)
  • Jesus is depicted as having “eyes like a flame of fire” and “feet like burnished bronze”—emphasizing His searching scrutiny and immovable foundation.

• Condemnation and Jezebel’s Influence:

  • The church tolerates a destructive false teacher, described symbolically as “Jezebel.”
  • False teaching involves alluring promises of deeper knowledge and greater freedom, even to the point of sanctioning idolatry and immorality.

• Quote:

  • “We don't need secret things from private teachers. We need the public teaching of the Word of God, which is apostolic. And that's plenty to stand on until Jesus comes again.” (19:50)

• Division & Individual Responsibility:

  • Dr. Godfrey stresses that churches are judged corporately but individuals within them bear responsibility:
    “The whole church doesn't stand or fall together... Church and the individual have to be faithful.” (17:32)

• Judgment and Comfort:

  • Promises judgment on Jezebel’s followers and rewards the faithful with “authority over the nations” and “the morning star.”
  • “I did not actually come to make you feel comfortable. I came to tell you the truth.” (20:55)
  • “Morning star” links to Christ Himself—believers will share in His glory and illumine the world with His light.

3. Sardis: The Call to Wakefulness and Holiness (21:55–24:32)

• Diagnosis:

  • Severe rebuke for spiritual deadness: “You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up...” (22:00)
  • Some in the church have not “soiled their garments”—an image of preserved holiness.

• The Solution:

  • Repentance and a return to foundational gospel truths and obedience.
  • Reminder that Jesus will come “like a thief” (a warning to those lulled into complacency).

• Symbolism:

  • White garments represent the righteousness of Christ bestowed on believers (23:40).
  • Assurance: “I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” (24:00)

• Quote:

  • “Those who've repented, those who have drawn near to Christ, are those dressed like him, in white.” (23:55)

• Encouragement:

  • Dr. Godfrey emphasizes the personal care of Christ for His people:
    “He knows us, he cares for us, he calls to us, he walks with us, he clothes us, and he promises that he will confess us before His Father who is in heaven.” (24:20)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Idolatry and Immorality:
  “It's not two separate sins, it's two words for the same sin... The bigger problem here certainly seems to be the temptation of idolatry.” (05:00)

• On Spiritual Division:
  “The church and the individual have to be faithful... In Thyatira, we see people being commended for being faithful, even though they're in the midst of some who have not done all that they could do and should do to keep the Church pure.” (17:32)

• On the Deeper Things:
  “One of the ways that people get into trouble is they listen to teachers who say, ‘All the stuff you’ve learned is true and good, but I have deeper things for you.’” (16:31)

• On Judgment and Assurance:
  “There is a judgment coming. Will you stand in the judgment or not stand in the judgment? You can stand in the judgment if you stand in Jesus. That's the great truth being taught here.” (21:00)

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Introduction: Jesus’ searching of the church | | 01:32 | The letter to Pergamum begins | | 11:00 | The letter to Thyatira begins | | 21:55 | The letter to Sardis begins | | 24:00 | Assurance to the faithful in Sardis | | 24:31 | Episode wraps up and preview of next week |

Concluding Thoughts

Dr. Godfrey presents the letters to Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis as sober warnings and compassionate encouragements. Their core message, laced with Old Testament imagery and personal appeals, is as urgent now as in the first century: remain steadfast in truth, resist seductive false teachings, be vigilant against spiritual deadness, and cling to the hope and holiness found only in Jesus Christ. Believers are urged to root themselves in Scripture’s clear teaching and to take comfort that Christ intimately knows and promises to reward those who persevere in faith.

Next Episode Preview:
Look forward to next Saturday’s exploration of the famous letter to Laodicea—the source of “lukewarm” and “Jesus standing at the door and knocking.”