Revelation 2:12-17

THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN PERGAMUM

Revelation 2:12-17

From the Life Application New Testament Commentary

"After leaving Smyrna, a letter carrier traveled along the coast of the Aegean Sea for about forty miles. Then the road turned northeast along the Caicus River. About ten miles inland stood the impressive city of Pergamum, built on a hill one thousand feet above the surrounding countryside, creating a natural fortress. Rivaling Ephesus as the leading city in the region, Pergamum had become the capital of the province of Asia and the center of Asian culture. It was proud of its links with Rome.

The problem in Pergamum was leniency toward those in the church who were compromising their faith with the idol worship and sexual immorality of pagan worship. Compromise can be good and is often needed, but the church must never compromise the basic tenets of the Christian faith."

Rev 2:12  "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the One with the sharp two-edged sword:

Life Application New Testament Commentary  "Pergamum, a sophisticated city and center of Greek culture and education, boasted a 200,000-volume library that was second only to the famous library in Alexandria in Egypt. According to legend, when Pergamum tried to lure away from Alexandria one of its librarians, the king in Alexandria stopped exporting papyrus to Pergamum. This embargo resulted in Pergamum’s development of what became known as parchment, a writing material made from animal skins. Pergamum was the center of four of the most important gods of the day—Zeus, Athene, Dionysus, and Asclepius. The city’s chief god was Asclepius, whose symbol was a serpent and who was considered the god of healing. People came to Pergamum from all over the world to seek healing from this god.

The city was also a center for the imperial cult. While Smyrna had built temples to the emperor, Pergamum was the first city to receive permission to build a temple dedicated to a governing emperor, Augustus, whose temple was built in 29 B.C.

The proconsul of Pergamum had been granted the rare power known as “the right of the sword,” meaning that he could perform executions. To the church in this city, Christ described himself as the one who has a sharp two-edged sword (Rev_1:16). Just as the sword was a symbol of Rome’s authority and judgment, Jesus’ sharp, double-edged sword represents God’s ultimate authority and judgment. Only Christ has ultimate power over life and death."

Me again: Since Pergamum had "the right of the sword" It is interesting that God mentions his two edge sword. If you are going into battle it is always best to have the weaponry that is needed to win the war. In Pergamum's case the word of God is what they needed.

Rev 2:13  "I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to Me. You refused to deny Me even when Antipas, My faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan's city. The below is who I think was  the person who was martyred.

  "Another person, about whom very little information comes from the pages of the New Testament, is a shining follower of Jesus Christ. He is called Antipas. He was in the forefront of the Pergamean assembly (Revelation 2:13).  Deducing from his name, he was likely a Greek convert to the faith of Jesus Christ.  The name Antipas is a shortened form of Antipater, one of Alexander's successful generals (c. 397-319 B.C)."

Rev 2:14  "But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin.

You may remember Balaam he is the man who’s donkey spoke to him. The story can be found in Numbers starting in Number 22:23 and ends in Numbers 31:16. Balaam started out as a person who served God. He eventually turned on the Israelites and became a Satan's handyman.

Rev 2:15  In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching.

Rev 2:16  Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

The Nicolaitans were the same group that the church of Ephesus was warned against. The church of Pergamum was to witness against these people or they would feel the wrath of God as mentioned above and later on in Revelations, (Rev_19:15; Rev_19:21)

Rev 2:17  "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.

God warns people and he offers rewards. I remind you of Matthew 28:16-20, Matthew 28:16-20New International Version (NIV)

The Great Commission

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Agape
Dave