(Reflections and notes on Jesus’ words to the church in Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17. Explore the previous parts of this series.)
Jesus speaks to the church in Pergamum and has some factors that He highlights for the benefit of them and those in the churches who have the ears to hear. It’s worth noting how he identifies Himself to the church. Then He goes onto identify what’s significant about their location. That is the premise for Him to identify commendable features of the church. However, there are some problems He identifies
Let’s get a picture of Pergamum at the time Further north than Smyrna, this is a city that among other things has a variety of gods on offer. There are temples available for a variety of ways of worship that offers benefits for those looking for wealth, health, pleasure and prestige. To a large degree to get by in Pergamum society, you had to at least patronise some of these places. Pergamum was likewise a prominent city in the Roman Empire and a place of authority being wielded. The place was one where religion, politics and culture were intertwined – to be effective and successful in one, you needed to observe the areas that mattered in the other two. Like Smyrna, the church in this city is not spoken about often elsewhere in scripture, but what Jesus says about this church tells us a lot about them anyway.
Identifying the speaker (vs 12) – The two-edged sword imagery gives the picture of one who has authority and is able to exercise it in such a way that many can be dealt with it. This sounds fairly ominous for the listener, because the one who is going to use this kind of sword clearly isn’t here to comfort and console in the obvious sense. One who wields such power and authority and the capacity to exercise such judgement is also one to be feared. This is the picture of Jesus that those who listen should have of Him. It’s a contrast to the way people are led to have an image of Jesus. It doesn’t fit the softer, kindly gentle perspective of Him. This is also how Jesus is addressing Himself to the church.
Identifying the location (vs 13) – Pergamum is a location known for its gods. It also is marked by the physical feature of a temple to the ‘throne’ to Zeus said to be the chief of the gods. With the significance of the idolatry including to the Roman Emperor, it’s no surprise that this location is referred to as the throne of Satan. The home of great idolatry is a fitting location for Jesus to identify as the place where His church would face the fierce opposition of the adversary. Jesus identifies the hallmarks of the area and as a result what the saints in that area have to endure. The area plays a pivotal part in what the expression of Christ’s Body faces. It is not something that can be ignored and Jesus clearly bears this in mind.
Identifying commendable qualities (vs 13) – It would be something to live in an area where the adversary was rife and for Jesus to say that they have held onto the faith is remarkable. The church does not capitulate due to the external pressures to do so. There is that outstanding quality of not denying the name even in the light of martyrdom.
Identifying problem one – Balaam teaching (vs 14) – Mixing with teaching that introduces ungodly with the godly – sexual immorality, but association with the idolatrous. Reference to Balaa’s teaching goes back to the episode in the life of Israel in Numbers 25 and 31 Jesus is not critical of the way the church responds to external pressures. It was how the church were allowing corruption to come in from the inside.
Identifying problem two – Nicolaitan teaching (vs 15) – Jesus hitting on a theme He’s addressed before to the church in Ephesus. It’s not just one area of false teaching, it’s a number of them that have a place in the church and that Jesus abhors. The church may have held onto the name, but clearly were holding onto other things that contradicted the very name they were holding onto.
Identifying the resolution and consequences for failure to resolve (vs 16) – One word resolution – but packed one word. Repent. It cannot be dismissed, it’s the key to the matter in which those in the church guilty of the two problems. It’s still a corporate matter, however, to highlight the issue where it’s prevalent and ensure the steps are taken to turn away from evil and turn to Christ. Consequences goes to how He’ll deal with the situation. Here’s where that two-edged sword will be wielded not just to pierce, but to judge and do away with it. It’s Jesus giving us the opportunity to deal with it in His mercy, before He comes and deals with it in His judgement. It’s also not the last time in the book of Revelation that this sword is applied.
Identifying the overcomer’s prizes (vs 17) – The manna and the stone with a name that only we will know. As JEsus is revealed with the sword, He’s also noted with among other things a name that only He knows. What are all these riches about?
Purity on the corporate/commual level. Not just enough to be satisfied with individual and personal purity – recognise what Jesus says about where impurity is present among us. Not to tolerate it, shrug our shoulders about it, but to hear the Spirit highlight and expose it and cooperate in seeing it resolved.
Questions based on the letter to the church in Pergamum
- What does this letter tell you about the nature of Jesus?
- What would Jesus remark about your geographical area in terms of what you have to endure?
- In what areas are the church susceptible to compromise with idolatry?
- How can righteous doctrine be upheld in the church?
- Why is it so easy for compromise to take place in the church when it comes to teaching?
- What role can you take in ensuring the life of the Body of Christ is not prone to compromise?
- How is the vision of Jesus with the two-edged sword a word of encouragement to a church under pressure to compromise to the idolatrous standards and practices of the world?
Recommended Sources
Our Daily Bread channel’s video on Pergamum as part of their Seven Churches of Revelation series
Aigburth Community Church presentation on Pergamum as part of their series on Revelation
Lineage’s episode on Pergamos: The Compromised Church as part of their series on the 7 churches of Revelation
David Pawson teaching on Pergamum in his series on the Letters of Jesus
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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