The shrine of Demeter, the goddess of grain who supposedly provided food, was popular among the common people of Pergamum. She also was said to forgive the sins of her followers who immersed themselves in bulls’ blood. Many of the early Christians must have thought this was counterfeit too because we claim to be washed in the blood of the Messiah.
Audio: Who Provides The Food?
John was prepared to counter these counterfeit blessings as well. Having seen Jesus the Messiah feed five thousand people using a few loaves and a couple of fish, John knew that Jesus was the only one who could take people’s sins through the blood he shed on the cross.
