Third Letter of Seven to the Churches – Pergamum

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The words of Him who has the sharp, two-edged sword. I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name…” --Revelation 2:12-13 [ESV] (Please read Revelation 2:12-17).

I deliberately waited until afternoon to write these devotional thoughts for today because I wanted to hear (and absorb as much as possible) my pastor’s sermon this morning from Revelation on the third letter to the churches—this one to the church at Pergamum (KJV spells the church Pergamos.)

John the Apostle is the scribe who is writing what the One with the sharp two-edged sword is saying to the church at Pergamum. The Son of God, still walking among the seven candlesticks (representing the seven churches) has a sharp two-edged sword in His hand. This is the Word of God (see Hebrews 4:12).

What about the city of Pergamum (Pergamos)? It was a wealthy ancient city in Mysia in Asia Minor. It was a citadel city, or a provincial city, one where the Roman government had the power to try cases and render the death sentence. This they did to many Christians. The Lord says that the city—not the Christian church there—has “Satan’s throne.” The ruins of a huge ampitheater are in Pergamum, and at that place Christians met their deaths as they were thrown to lions for the sport of the pagan people gathered at the huge ampitheater. A shrine to the pagan goddess of fertility was prominent in the city, and smaller statues of the goddess were often carried in parades through the street at the festival time of Asclepius. Even with all the evil in this “throne of Satan” town, most of the Christians were holding fast to their profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

One example of a faithful witness at Pergamum was Antipas “who was killed among you.” Christian historians say Antipas was roasted in a brass vessel for onlookers to see, yet he would not denounce his faith in Christ and say, “The Emperor is Lord.”

But He who held the sharp two-edged sword (Christ) had some things against the church at Pergamum. Some were following after Balaam (see Numbers 25:1-8 and 31:16) and were offering sacrifices to idols and practicing immoral acts, perhaps to avoid being put to death. Many followed practices in Pergamum much as the earlier Old Testament Balaam. Some also held to teachings of the Nicolatians. These participated in pagan feasts and orgies. They were causing many to stumble because of their false teachings. These are to repent. Else the Lord will come with “the sword of His mouth”—the Word of God. Note: The Word of God is always the standard for measuring and examining doctrine to see if it is sound or not. Give ear to this warning. Heed it.

To the faithful two blessings or rewards will be given:

(1) Hidden manna (remember how the Israelites were fed with manna in the wilderness?) The word “manna’ means “What is it?” God caused manna to appear at the right place and time to meet the Israelite’s needs. He promises it to the Christians at Pergamum.
(2) A white stone with the recipient’s name written on it—that no one will know but the recipient himself (and the Lord who gives it to each true believer). A white stone—the color white is representative of purity and joy. A stone has firmness and strength. Was this stone the passport to Heaven for believers? Perhaps it was an outward symbol of the inward confession, “Upon this Rock (Christian’s confession of Jesus as Lord) I will build my church.”

What does the message from the One who holds the two-edged sword to the church at Pergamum have for us today? Be faithful. Hold fast to sound doctrine. Don’t be led astray. Don’t follow false teachers. Overcome. The journey is not finished yet.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, January 31, 2010