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3. The Letter of Jesus Christ to the Church Leader in Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17)
REVELATION 2:12-17
12 “To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things: 13 I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise. 16 Repent therefore, 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 assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it.”
To the Angel of the Church in Pergamos, Write …: The command of Christ to write reached John on Patmos. He needed to send the servant of the Lord in Pergamos an urgent letter. Pergamos means “mountain city” or “the city on the mountain” or “near the mountain”. This Greco-Roman city-state was a center of ancient cultures. Greek Hellenism was realized here as a melting pot of various religions, world views, and ideas. Several altars and shrines were built peacefully near one another, which increased the fame and renown of this cultural center. It was here that parchment was developed and used as a valuable paper for sacred writings.
In this royal city of the Roman province of Mysia, with its ancient traditions, there was a Christian congregation that fell victim to a temptation different from the one that befell the congregation in Smyrna. In Smyrna the threat for Christians came from the rich and influential Jews; in Pergamos the challenge came in the form of a spirit of syncretistic tolerance and recognition.
The Sharp Two-Edged Sword: Jesus came to the church leader in Pergamos, neither as the High Priest, who walked among the golden lamp stands, nor as the First and the Last; rather, He came as the Judge with the sharp sword of judgment. The problems of this church demanded immediate attention and could not be postponed. The Lord required a total eradication of all demonic influences. Jesus appeared to battle against the infiltration of Hellenism in this church. The sword proceeded from the divine Judge’s mouth (Revelation 1:16). Everything was directed at judgment, tearing down, and separation. All syncretism had to be punished – and without delay! The Hellenistic heathens were not being judged here, but rather the liberal and unrepentant Christians. The judgment of God begins with His Church.
You Dwell Where Satan’s Throne Is: In the first two letters to the churches, Jesus addressed the actions of the church leader. Here it speaks about the location of the pastor. He lived in the vicinity of several pagan worship sites, from which demonic power radiated. All areas of our earth are under the influence of Satan. But Pergamos was a center of Satanic power. Satan’s spirit ruled there, influencing the inhabitants and affecting the culture. Three particular places of worship exerted an influence on the public life of this city:
- Twenty-five years before the birth of Christ, the first temple for the cult of Caesar had already been built in Pergamos. It served as a center for this cult for the entire Mediterranean region, and it was dedicated to Caesar Augustus. So the cult of Caesar had already had its home here for over 100 years by the time the Apostle John wrote his letter to the leader of this city’s church.
- At the summit of this mountain city stood the temple of Zeus, which was visible from far away. Zeus was the ruling “father” of all the other gods in the pantheon of Greek mythology. By honoring this god of gods, the kings of this city sought to bring all other spirits under their jurisdiction. The temple of Zeus shone like a crown upon the mountain, and it glistened far and wide throughout the land. Today, this temple sits in a museum in Berlin. Thus, the seat of Satan has been transported to Germany!
- The cult of the serpent, which worshiped the snake, was also centered in Pergamos. In the West, more than 200 health centers with famous doctors called “saviors” were part of this cult.
The entire city of Pergamos was in essence a single throne of Satan, in which the various denominations and cults were drawn together.
You Hold Fast to My Name and Did Not Deny My Faith: The peace among these restless Christians quickly came to an end as they settled in this center of spiritism. They confessed that Jesus is the true Lord and the only Savior; He is one with the Father and His Spirit. Zeus is no god, and neither is Caesar; and the serpent worshippers are no saviors. Jesus alone heals, sanctifies, and reigns.
The devil was active there. The Christians were stirring up commotion around his throne. The various cult priests tried to convince the Christians that Jesus was also a god and savior, but one in addition to Zeus, Caesar, and the serpent. The important citizens there challenged the Christians to give up their strict views and to relinquish the absolute demands of Christ, and to acknowledge all heavenly religions and cults. Only then would peace return to the city.
The church leader, however, was true to the Name that is above all names and confessed that salvation is found in none other under heaven besides Jesus.
The discussions grew heated. The so-called “tolerant” became intolerant. The Christians also became intolerant, for they could not worship a strange god. However, they did not persecute and kill their opponents, but endured them with patience and supplication. The adherents of polytheism hated the followers of Christ for not acknowledging their gods. The Christians proclaimed that Zeus, Caesar, and the serpent will ultimately worship Jesus, to the glory of God the Father.
You Did Not Deny My Faith Despite the Martyrdom of Antipas: Perhaps Antipas was an active elder of the church or a young adventurous man, full of love toward Jesus, going as far as to bear witness to the Gospel in the midst of the temple. But the priests of the cult’s temple became angry towards this young witness of Jesus and had him killed, thereby hoping to shock the Christians into silence. But that was not the case. The church leader in Pergamos continued to confess Jesus as the only Way, the Truth and the Life. His Lord heaped the highest praise on him when He confessed that the pastor did not shrink with fear after the murder of Antipas, but that he continued to profess the Victor of Golgotha as the only Lord in Pergamos.
The murdered Antipas received a special honor: Jesus called him His “faithful martyr”. Antipas lives today as a sanctified martyr, safe and secure in the Resurrected One, and serves Him.
By honoring Antipas the living Lord repeated and confirmed the message to the church leader in Pergamos that the many temples, altars, and places of worship were not spiritually devoid centers, but that they had become dwelling places of dangerous demons that long to be worshiped by the errant masses till today. These fallen angels know that they are damned and tremble before the hour when Jesus will come again and thus hate Him. Satan knows that he has very little time left and does everything possible to hinder the spread of the gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: We magnify you, zealous in Your holy love, because You encouraged the faithful minister of the church in Pergamos who had served You in his city that was full of evil spirits, and continued in Your testimony even when an effective member of his church was killed. Strengthen, these days, your servants who work in demon-filled environments that they may hear the gospel and how you overcame the Evil One.
QUESTION:
- What is the characteristic of the pastor who dwells where Satan thrones?