The Church at Pergamos

Revelation 2:12-17 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, 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. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Introduction

In our review of the churches of Ephesus and Smyrna, we discovered that the church at Ephesus had lost their first love but had resisted any false teachings. The church at Smyrna, deeply persecuted, remained loyal to Jesus. The church we look at today faced both persecution and false teaching.

Located fifty miles from Smyrna and seventy-five miles north of Ephesus, is the city of Pergamos or Pergamum. It was considered a remarkable city, built on terraces on the sides of a mountain, but unlike Ephesus and Smyrna, it was not an important commercial city.

Pergamos was home to the first temple dedication to Caesar. It was a very significant and vital city to the Roman Empire, a key administrative center, as it was the capital of the region for over 400 years.

Pergamum was the leading religious center of Asia Minor. It was home to the pagan religions of Zeus, Athena, Dionysus (the god of win and merrymaking, also known as Bacchus), and Aesculapius (the god of healing whose symbol was intertwined serpents on a staff, much like the modern day symbol for healing).

It was rich in public buildings, temples, art galleries, universities, royal residences, and held one of the largest libraries, with over 200,000 volumes in antiquity. Historians tell us that Mark Anthony gave this library to Cleopatra. Pergamum was also a treasury where the local rulers kept their wealth.

It was in Pergamum that parchment (skin of a sheep or goat prepared as a material on which to write or paint) was first used.

The Scriptures do not give us much insight into the formation of the church at Pergamum. The church could be the work of the Apostle Paul during his second missionary journey (Acts 16:7-8). On the other hand, it could have been missionaries pushing northward from Ephesus during the two years Paul stayed in Ephesus (Acts 19:10).

The church at Pergamos has been nicknamed “The Worldly Church.” The bible consistently warns against worldliness; “worldliness is any preoccupation in life that places the physical matters of earth above the matters of eternity.”

The Letter

The Greeting

Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write;

Once again, we see that the letter is written to the “messenger” of the church in Pergamos and not to the church in general. The pastor of the church is the one entrusted by God to shepherd this flock and to protect them. The pastor keeps a look out for danger.

The Reference to Christ

Revelation 2:12 … These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

The description of Jesus is from Revelation 1:16; “and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword:” is very descriptive of the problem with this church. Jesus is the discerner of the thoughts and hearts of man, which will speak the truth when error replaces the truth. The writer of the book of Hebrews says:

Hebrews 4:12-13 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (ESV)

The Word of God, compared to a sharp sword with two edges, cutting both ways.

The Commendation

Revelation 2:13 I know thy works, 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.

Since no creature is hidden from His sight, Jesus is very aware of all the things that the church was doing. He understood that they lived and worshiped in the very seat of Satan, which is the political and religious center that Pergamum was. Jesus was aware of the temptations to which they were exposed. Pergamum was a place of peculiar wickedness as if Satan personally dwelt there. The idolatry and corruption produced persecution for the brethren. Satan’s signature was everywhere in this city.

Jesus commends them for “Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith” (ESV) They have professed the name of Christ, admitting to be His followers and no matter what trials and persecutions had been thrown at them, they kept the faith, and had not denied His name.

Historically, we know that many believers in Pergamum were martyred for their faith. In this passage the steadfast faith of Antipas is introduced to us and yet we know nothing about him other than the commendation from Jesus; “my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.” Even if we do not know anything about this man, his family or ministry, the letter says he went to his death as a martyr. God knows him and commends him to believers for centuries later to honor him by including his name in the Holy Bible.

The Criticism or Rebuke

Revelation 2:14-15 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

In this persecuted church, there were two heresies were practiced. “But I have a few things against thee” is the rebuke coming from the Christ. “because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”

Within the congregation, were some that believed and practiced the doctrine of Balaam – Balaam was a false prophet in the Old Testament who attempted to put a curse on the Children of Israel for Balak. The New Testament refers to and defines his doctrine:

Personally, the root of Balaam’s doctrine was covetousness. His services as a prophet of the Almighty God was for sale (2 Peter 2:15).

Professionally, his error in judgment was that he considered that he would force God to curse Israel for their sinfulness.

His doctrine was that God would not curse them for their immoral lives. The next step would be to corrupt them with idolatry and immorality.

Within the congregation, another group followed the teachings of the Nicolaitans. The letter to the church at Ephesus explained that the believers at Ephesus hated the “deeds” of the Nicolaitans. For the believers at Pergamum, it had escalated to the “doctrine” or teachings of the Nicolaitans. This doctrine was aimed at Christian liberty. Their teaching explained that Christians could participate in immoral pagan sexual rituals because they were free in Christ as He had died for all their sins.

It is important to note that the majority of the brethren at Pergamum did not follow these practices, but held firm in the faith. Nevertheless, they were being judged since they allowed them to remain in the church without church discipline.

This is an important point: Our associations with those that do not wholly follow Jesus can and will bring us into judgment.

The Charge to Repent

Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Warren Wiersbe, in his book, “Be Victorious” writes:

“Antipas had felt the sword of Rome, but the church at Pergamos would feel the sword of Christ, the Word (Hebrews 4:12) if they did not repent. This is not a reference to our Lord’s return but to a present judgment that comes to a church when it is disobedient to the Word of God.”

A Call to Hear

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches…

As with the letters to the previous churches, the exhortation is to the individual, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” As believers, we are to study, read and hear what the Holy Spirit of God says. Notice that this is a command and not an option.

A Promise

Revelation 2:17 …To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

To the one that overcomes, Jesus will give “hidden manna”. Let us remember that manna fell every day for the Children of Israel as a sign and a promise from God that He would take care of their needs as they marched through the wilderness. And it fell as promised; every morning there was a fresh harvest of manna. It was small but tasted like “wafers made with honey” (Exodus 16:31). Every day the food was there. Every day God delivered on His promise. Every day they ate the food from heaven. This then is what Jesus is referring. Just like our faith is based on things not seen and hoped for (Hebrews 11:1) this hidden manna is there for the believer that overcomes the draw of the world.

“and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” – While the Bible does not specifically state the purpose of the white stone with the believers name on it, we can look to practices in the day. There were times when the outcome of a trial was decided by secret ballot. Each jury member would drop a white or black stone into an urn and that would be given to the judge would then count the stones; white was acquittal or black was guilty. The reference in this verse of a white stone with the believers name on it could mean they were acquitted of their sins: there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

There was also the practice among the Romans that the victors in the Olympic races would be given a wreath and a white stone with their names chiseled into it. This stone would allow entrance into lavish banquets.

Either way, the representation for the Christian is awesome. If it means acquittal, Jesus paid it all on the cross. Through the shed blood of the Savior, we are acquitted.

If the stone means the believer is victorious or “he that overcomes” then the stone would be our entrance into the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.

Conclusion

Pergamos, the compromising church

What can we learn from this third church:

Like the church at Pergamum, the church today must maintain the distance between the world and our lives.

The Apostle John wrote in his Gospel:

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Again, the Apostle John wrote in

1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

The church at Pergamum is faced with a decision; repent and receive the blessings that God has for His children, or do not to repent and face the judgment of Jesus.

That same decision is there for you today as well…What decision will you make?