Revelation Exegesis: Pergamum

The Church at Pergamum

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and 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 the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Mentioning a "sharp two-edged sword" is another reminder that judgement is impending upon those who will not repent. There are two camps of believers at Pergamum who should consider this warning. The first group are those who teach and embrace what we might call compromise or accommodation, referenced by the Old Testament story of Balaam. And second, those who tolerate the first group.

It should not go unnoticed, there was a commendation. Pergamum is described as the location of "Satan's throne." This was either the throne of Zeus located in the city or the temple of Asklepios, who is depicted as a snake, something Christians would easily associate with Satan (MacArthur). With such idolatry all around, most of Pergamum's church remained faithful to Christ.

In addition to idolatry, there was also persecution as illustrated by the reference to Antipas. This is about all we know about Antipas. According to tradition, he was roasted to death inside a brass bull by Emperor Domitian (MacArthur). God commends the faithfulness of many at Pergamum, even in the face of martyrdom.

There is, however, a problem. It is the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. Whatever it entailed, it certainly included a mixture of idolatry and sexual immorality. It seems that the Nicolaitans taught that Christians could "participate in pagan orgies," (MacArthur). This heavy syncretism (mixing of beliefs) is a form of worldliness that Jesus is about to strike with a sword. This syncretism is not speaking to merely liking something. Christians are encouraged to enjoy good things because they are evidences of grace (Philippians 4:8). This worldliness involved accommodation in the arena of worship. Balaam's deception of Numbers 25 was a compromise of lifestyle that led to a compromise of spiritual affection. The Nicolaitans were doing the same. Beware of participating in things that lure you from your adoration of Christ. Enjoy things, instead, that lead to the character of Christ (Philippians 4:8).

The structure and pronouns of verse 16 make it clear in the Greek that although only a few are guilty of the sin of the Nicolaitans, Christ is coming against all of them with the sword (Mounce). Unlike the Ephesians, who rooted out false teachers, the majority of the church at Pergamum were accommodating them. This is a tough word against tolerance in the Church of Jesus Christ today. In an age where pluralism is the preferred path, we are to take the narrow road. The Church must exercise discipline on false teachers within the fold. This is not contrary to the axiom, "in essentials unity, in non-essentials charity." Christ is, rather, enforcing a strong stance for holiness in the Gospel. The Church of Jesus must stand firm in the face of emerging heresies and exercise discipline against members who teach them.

Again, there is much more to gain in Christ than we lose in worldly accommodation. We gain "manna," or metaphorically, the presence of Jesus who is the Bread of Heaven (Beale). A white stone was often used for admission to special events (MacArthur, Beale). A hidden name refers to our new adopted name in Christ. If we stand firm in persecution and heresy, speaking out against false gospels and worldly accommodation, we confirm our adoption ceremony as children of God!