12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. (Revelation 2:12–13)
In our modern churches, members could be in attendance decked out in the garb of their hometown football team, actively participate in worship, giving Jesus an occasional high five, offering up an “amen” or two during the sermon, but then race to the stadium, purchase an adult beverage, and wildly participate in the debauchery known as pro football. Yes, it is possible to stay pure in that environment, but very hard to watch your team play without falling victim to the sensual bombardment created by the throbbing music and scantily clad dancers on the big screen. Earlier, you were praising Jesus in the pews with fellow saints. Now you’re hearing a chorus of profanity after each bad call, and perhaps you’re joining in. This is the compromised church at Pergamum. They were praised on one hand and reprimanded on the other.
At the time of the writing of this letter, Pergamum was a thriving metropolis in northwest Asia Minor (now Turkey). It was a beautiful city with an impressive foothill as a backdrop, lying within the fork of the Caicus River. It boasted of many temples and architecture inspired by Zeus, for whom there was a conspicuous statue (perhaps the “Satan’s throne” alluded to in verse 13), athletic arenas, amphitheater, and a thriving parchment business. The surrounding areas of lush agricultural fields supported the city. It was not unlike most metropolitan cities in our country, including mine, with its port, waterfront mansions, winding river, industry, universities, and athletic stadiums, with pastures and farmland in surrounding but now disappearing rural areas.
Despite Pergamum’s appealing appearance, the Lord could only focus on “Satan’s throne” in its center, a reference to the insidious presence of Zeus and other gods. The devil had a foothold there, manifesting himself in the killing of the faithful believer Antipas. It appears that the Pergamum church was still holding the line, for which it was commended. However…
“But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” (Revelation 2:14-15)
Bad doctrine and teaching can, even if it doesn’t dominate the church, corrode its effectiveness. You can’t fight against the schemes of the devil with some of your army joining the enemy each day. What normally happens in these cases is that the pulpit goes soft, issuing forth pablum instead of raw biblical truth. To tackle the Balaam problem as was done in Moses’ day requires the complete eradication of idolatry and immorality. As for the Nicolaitan heresy, teaching and applying sound doctrine would be the only cure.
Perhaps the Pergamum church lacked the long line of superstars in its pulpit that Ephesus had, but it still had the Holy Spirit dwelling in its faithful core, those of the ilk of Antipas, to root out and “kill” these evil influences.
16 ‘Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’ (Revelation 2:16–17)
We’ll devote our lives to winning a trophy or medal, or a plaque for our wall. We’ll suffer through and overcome many obstacles to win the prize. Here, the stakes are much higher, and failure to stay fully committed to the cause will result in our disqualification. Nevertheless, the teaching here is that it is possible to overcome these evil influences. It is possible to root out and kill that which will bring us down. It is possible to refuse to compromise as did Antipas.
In so doing, we’ll receive our personal sample of the manna that came down daily to continually testify to God’s provisions and eternal life (Exodus 16:33, Matthew 6:50) and a white stone from the top of the mountain we’ve climbed as a memento of God’s promise to save those who persevere. This stone is inscribed with a new name given to us personally and privately by Jesus. When he calls us home, he’ll use this name!
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