Pergamum was located at the most northern point of the seven cities located in Asia Minor that were described in the Book of Revelation. The city contained a large theater, library, and temples to Dionysus, Athena, and Demeter.[1] Pergamum was also home to an impressive 40-foot-high alter to Zeus.[2] The Book of Revelation referred to Pergamum as the location of Satan’s throne (Rev. 2:13). Pergamum was the official location in Asia Minor for the worship of the imperial cult, and during this time, Rome’s power over Asia Minor was most likely administered from Pergamum.[3]
In His communication to Pergamum, Jesus Christ is described as the One with a “sharp, two-edged sword” (Rev. 2:12). At Hebrew 4:12, we read: “the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). The Word of God is a two-edged sword because it can have both favorable and unfavorable consequences. Our human spirit gives us the capacity to interface with God, the Holy Spirit, and our humility and receptivity to the Word of God is the key to our advance in the Spiritual Life. Sadly, some Christians lose their humility and become self-righteous. However, we cannot be truly righteous apart from God and an ongoing relationship with God. Righteousness cannot be produced when we function independently of God. If we become self-righteous, we will be judged and disciplined by God, and ultimately, we will lose out on many rewards and blessings in this life and the next.
The Pergamum Christians were subject to persecution. We know, for example, that Antipas was killed in Pergamum for his faith (Rev. 2:13). In spite of the persecution experienced in Pergamum, however, many Christians remained faithful (Rev. 2:13). They held fast to their faith in Jesus Christ. Some Christians in Pergamum did not remain faithful though. In contrast to the faithful believers, they followed the pattern of Balaam (Rev. 2:14), who was an Old Testament prophet guilty of monetary lust. King Balak wanted to pay Balaam a substantial sum of money to curse the Israelites, but Yahweh would not allow Balaam to curse Israel. Instead, Balaam advised Balak to entice the Israelites to participate in sexual immorality.
Satan’s primary strategy against humans is deception and distraction. Sexual immorality is a key weapon used by Satan to deceive and distract Christians from their spiritual walk. As long as we live in these bodies of weakness, we are easily led astray. A normal desire becomes a lust; from lust we fall into sin, and if we persist in sin, we become insensitive (dead) to God. Because we are so easily led astray, God teaches us to confine sex to the institution of marriage (between a man and woman) as long as we live in these bodies of weakness.
Satan placed a stumbling block before early believers by confusing and defiling their conscience regarding the eating of meat sacrificed to idols (Rev. 2:14). In the ancient world, it was common for pagan temples to sell the sacrificial meat offerings in the local meat market. Grade A steak is grade A steak, but a believer’s conscience could be defiled by the grade A steak’s association with the pagan sacrifice. Of course, in modern times, this specific issue is not as prevalent. However, any good thing can be tainted by its association with an evil thing. Satan learned this trick a long time ago. Therefore, we have to be conscious of how our actions can be misconstrued or even taint the conscience of another. We should not flaunt our freedom in Christ and create a stumbling block for our brother!
The Christians of Pergamum were also criticized for having some believers classified as “Nicolaitans” (Rev. 2:15). As discussed in our blog concerning the church in Ephesus, it is my belief that such believers were distracted and deceived be self-righteousness. Some scholars believe that the Nicolaitans practiced some type of antinomianism. However, I believe that many well-respected believers are entrapped by self-righteousness. We can depart from the righteous path by going to the left or right. If we go to the left, we fall prey to lasciviousness and antinomianism. If we depart to the right, we become distracted by a pattern of self-righteousness. God hates haughtiness even when it is hidden deep in the human heart (Prov. 6:17).
Thereafter, the unfaithful believers of Pergamum were told to repent (or change their mindset). They were warned to recover their humility or God would wage war against them by the Word from His mouth (Rev. 2:16). We modern-day believers should also heed this warning.
In conclusion, the Christians of Pergamum were told to listen to the Spirit with humility (Rev. 2:17). We must all be receptive to the Spirit of truth. The Spirit is quiet, but lust is loud. The overcomer believer remains faithful to the end of his or her life. Such believers will receive special manna (spiritual food) from God. Such believers will also receive a special white pebble (Rev. 2:17). In the ancient world a pebble could be used as a ticket to a special event or location.[4] In a court of law, a white pebble was used as a verdict of innocence.[5] Both ideas are pertinent. The faithful believer will receive special blessings from God. This idea needs to sink into the head of every Christian. We become something new by being obedient to God. In our faithfulness, we consent to the transformation God brings to our heart by His Word, Spirit, and Providence.
[1] “Pergamum.” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Volume Four: A-P, Gen. Editor Geoffrey W. Bromiley, et al., William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988.
[2] “Pergamum.”
[3] “Pergamum.”
[4] “G5586 – psēphos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NASB).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 1 Nov, 2020. <https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G5586&t=NASB>.
[5] “G5586 – psēphos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NASB).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 1 Nov, 2020. <https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G5586&t=NASB>.
