Revelation 2: Church Of Pergamum

Pergamos/Pergamum means Elevation/Height

Main Theme: The church under compromise

🔹City of Pergamum

Pergamum was named after a lofty and ragged hill on which the city was built. Pergamum means “height” or “elevation.” The name also has a possible connection with the word gamos, which means “marriage.”

The capital of the gods was discovered there, and the first temple of the imperial cult was constructed in honor of Rome and Augustus.

• At the end of the first century, Emperor Domitian made worship of the divine emperor a touchstone of civil loyalty.

• Sun worship (Mithraism) and an apostate remnant of Babylonian priests had their seats there.

• The temple of Zeus was there and was dedicated to Asclepius, “the serpent god.”

• The temple kept and worshipped a living serpent, also known as the 'great physician'. Many ancient coins found at Pergamum depict a serpent wrapped around a pole similar to the one that symbolizes medical practice today.

The book of Revelation refers to Satan as the ancient serpent (Revelation 12:7-9), leading to the dedication of the city of Pergamum to his worship. As we shall see, Pergamum was the link between ancient Babylon, pagan Rome, and Papal Rome.

🔹Christian era (start of compromise)

During this period, the church "married" the state, allowing Satan to corrupt it from the inside. During the Church of Smyrna, Satan was unable to destroy the church through persecution, so he sought to destroy it by infiltrating it and promoting apostasy from within.

Revelation Chapter 2 - Verse 12

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges

🔹Jesus having a sharp sword with two edges

In Pergamum, Jesus reveals Himself as the one with the two-edged sword to the church. Both the first chapter of Revelation, 1:16, and Revelation 19:15 reveal this sign.

The sword represents the Word of God, according to Hebrews 4:12-13. This church had to obey God's word rather than adopt human traditions and heathen practices.

The sword has different effects depending on the situation:

• The sword is remedial in Revelation 19.

• However, it is retributive in the context of Pergamum Church.

In other words, the church in Pergamum faced a choice.

Embrace the Word of God as a corrective measure (remedial) or confront the Word of God as a punishment (retributive).

Revelation Chapter 2 - Verse 13

13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

🔹Satan’s seat/throne

According to verse 13, the church of Pergamum was located where Satan's throne was and where he lived. Satan, the prince of this world, gave Jesus the power of all the world's kingdoms in exchange for his worship. He presented this opportunity to Jesus on a high mountain (Matthew 4:7–10). Jesus rejected worshiping him because only God deserves it, and His spiritual kingdom is not on this earth.

• Pompeii made Mithraism, which originated in Pergamum in 67 BC, the official religion of the Roman legions.

• The Roman legions adopted the eagle as their ensign as a symbol of the sun god Mithras.

• According to historical evidence, Rome acquired its culture and religion from Pergamum, and Pergamum received its culture from Babylon.

Perhaps this is why, in 1 Peter 5:13, Rome is referred to as the mysterious Babylon. As a result, the real city of Pergamum linked ancient Babylonian religion to the pagan Roman Empire.

1. Paganism introduced to the church

Early in the fourth century, the Roman Emperor Constantine allegedly "converted" to Christianity. This is when paganism began to infiltrate the church. It crept into the church's doctrines and rites. Superstitions were also present in professed Christians' beliefs and worship.

Constantine was a pagan Roman worshiper, and after his "conversion," the Roman Catholic Church, which replaced pagan Rome, was formed.

History shows that the Roman Catholic Papacy derived its beliefs from pagan Rome. The church widely acknowledges that Constantine the Great, a pagan emperor, incorporated a number of pagan customs. Secular and religious historians agree on this. The pagan Roman emperors first bestowed the title "Supreme Pontiff" (Pontifex Maximus) upon the bishop of Rome. The Edict of Milan, signed in 313 AD, reinstated Christians as legal Roman citizens.

2. Symbolic Pergamum

Constantine the Great's influence led to the relocation of Satan's throne from Pagan Rome to Papal Rome.

There has been a constant succession between the Roman Catholic papacy and ancient Babylon.

Literal Babylon to 👉Pergamum to 👉Pagan Rome Pergamum to 👉 Papal Rome

3. Sunday laws

In 321 AD, Constantine enacted the first civil Sunday law. His coins had “SOLI INVICTO COMITI” on them, which means ‘to the invincible sun.’ The influence of pagan sun worship in Rome played a significant role in the papacy's decision to adopt Sunday as the day of worship.

Historians recognize that one of the factors that led to the adoption of Sunday as the Christian day of worship (which replaced the seventh day Sabbath) was the influence of pagan sun worship in Rome.

🔹Faithful martyr

Not everyone in the Pergamum church rejected Christ's name or beliefs (Matthew 24:9).

Antipas, a martyr for Jesus who offered the ultimate cost in exchange for his faithfulness, was among those who upheld Christ's reputation. In fact, the Greek word for "martyr" is "witness" or "one who gives testimony."

According to Patristic tradition, Antipas was slain by being imprisoned within a brazen bull that had been heated till it was red hot. As he died, he praised and thanked God.

Revelation Chapter 2 - Verse 14

14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

🔹Balaam

The name “Balaam” means “destroyer of the people”

1. Satan’s tactics

Throughout history, Satan has used two methods to destroy God’s followers (persecution and infiltration). The early chapters of Genesis illustrate these two methods.

Genesis:

• Plan A - Satan uses physical violence to destroy God’s faithful servants - Example: Cain was influenced by Satan (1 John 3:12) to kill Abel.

• Plan B - Satan mingled the righteous with the wicked - Example: The sons of God married the daughters of men (Genesis 6:2).

Plan A

Physical persecution led to phenomenal church growth in the early church (represented by Smyrna). Therefore, Satan’s plan ‘A’ backfired, and he had to do Plan 'B'.

Plan B

Satan's Plan B was much more successful. His new strategy was, "If you cannot fight them, join them."

Satan's infiltration strategy, instead of persecution, was much more successful in destroying the church. Satan persuaded idolaters to accept a portion of the Christian faith while rejecting other fundamental principles. Despite their claim to believe in Jesus as the Son of God, His crucifixion and resurrection, they lacked a conviction of sin and felt no need for repentance.

- Some Christians remained firm and refused to compromise.

- Others claimed that changing some aspects of Christianity and combining with individuals who embraced a portion of the Christian faith would result in church expansion, and that these half-converts would someday fully convert.

It was a difficult time for Christ's loyal followers. Satan entered the church disguised as new converts, his goal being to corrupt Christianity and divert the attention of true Christians from the truth.

2. The connection between Revelation 6 and the seven churches

When you look at the horses described in Revelation 6, you notice the following:

• White Horse: Like the earliest church (Church of Ephesus), it goes out to conquer and excel.

• Red Horse: Satan uses persecution to try and snuff out the growing church (Church of Smyrna).

• Black Horse: When persecution leads to phenomenal church growth, Satan changes his tactics and plants apostasy within the church (Church of Pergamos).

• Yellow Horse: Spiritual apostasy leads to spiritual death during the period of Papal dominion.

The names of the seven churches represent the church throughout the Christian era.

Not only were the seven letters sent to seven authentic churches dealing with genuine challenges, but they also hold prophetic implications for church history.

Both the churches and the horses demonstrate how Christianity expands and conquers. Then came persecution, followed by apostasy, which led to spiritual death.

🔹3. Balaam caused Israel to commit fornication and idolatry

Balaam and the Nicolaitans are symbols of worldliness and apostasy, and both were compromisers. Balaam showed Balak how to set a trap for the children of Israel so as to entice them into the twofold sin of idolatry and fornication (Numbers 22; 23; 24).

Instead of cursing Israel from the outside, Balaam proposed a sinister plan. Why not allow the camp to become apostate? This will result in God withdrawing His protection.

Balaam recommended having the Moabite women seduce Israel into fornication and idolatry so that the people would perish when God withdrew His blessing (Numbers 31:16).

Balaam understood that Israel's success depended on their obedience to God, and luring them into sin was the only way to bring about their downfall. He then advised the Moabites on the best course of action to bring a curse upon Israel.

🔹4. How the teachings of Balaam apply to Pergamum

The church of Pergamum is condemned for idolatry and fornication. The church, which had remained steadfast throughout Smyrna, abandoned Christ and began an adulterous relationship with the Roman state and government. Idolatry entered at this time when the Roman gods were adopted and given Christian names. The day of worship was also changed from the seventh day Sabbath to Sunday, the first day of the week.

It was the leaders' job to rebuke and warn against these teachings. God stands before Pergamos with a sword, just as he did before Balaam, threatening those who fail to listen to the message. Balaam was killed with a sword.

Revelation Chapter 2 - Verse 15

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

🔹The Nicolaitans

Remember how the Ephesus church despised the Nicolaitans while the Pergamum church welcomed them in? This is another indication of their spiritual decline in the Pergamum Church.

The name “Nicolaitans” means “overcomer of the people.”

The Nicolaitans held the belief that actions taken on the body could never contaminate the soul. As a result, they preached that Christians are exempt from the law and can do whatever they choose.

• They practiced immorality on the ground of spiritual liberty.

• They believed in the practice of polygamy.

• They believed that it was lawful to eat food sacrificed to idols.

• They made the grace of Christ cheap. Paul criticizes those who turn the grace of God into lasciviousness (Jude 1:4). Lasciviousness means unrestrained sexual behavior.

• The doctrine of the Nicolaitans appears to have been a form of antinomianism, which makes the fatal mistake that man can freely partake in sin because the Law of God is no longer binding.

Sources:

Theopedia: Nicolaitans - Link

Wikipedia: Nicolaism - Link

Revelation Chapter 2 - Verse 16

16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

🔹Call for repentance

In the Old Testament - the angel of the Lord withstood Balaam with a drawn sword to prevent his evil plan against ancient Israel (Numbers 22:23, Numbers 22:31-32).

In the New Testament - Jesus stood in front of Pergamum Church with a sword, threatening that all who refused to listen would be killed by the sword, much as Balaam had been in battle (Numbers 31:8).

Revelation Chapter 2 - Verse 17

17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

🔹Promises to the overcomer

1. Manna to eat

Both the sword (Hebrews 4:12-13) and the manna (hidden in the Ark of the Covenant) symbolized the Word of God (Deuteronomy 8:3). The hidden manna was in the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 9:4). Manna was also the angel’s food (Psalm 78:24–25).

2. White stone

The Roman Empire used white stones in a variety of contexts.

• The victor of the games in Rome received a white stone bearing his name. It was the equivalent of the gold medal at the Olympics.

• In Rome, a freed slave received a white stone as a symbol of his liberation.

• A person declared innocent in court was given a white stone.

3. New name

In the Old Testament, we read about how Jacob struggled with the Angel of the LORD and prevailed or gained victory. The word “overcome” in the message to Pergamum links the new name with the experience of Jacob, who overcame and received a new name (Genesis 32:28; Isaiah 56:5).

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