7 Churches of Revelation:  Pergamum

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Revelation 2: 12-17:  "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, `These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:  "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.   `Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.''  

Pergamum was an important city in the ancient world.  Parchment was first developed in Pergamum.  Two of the most prominent pagan temples were built for Zeus, the king of the gods and Athena, the goddess of wisdom.  Satan’s throne refers to the people's practice of ungodly activities.  The Christians in Pergamum had, for the most part resisted those practices even in the face of the martyrdom of the faithful Antipas.   

However, the Pergamum Christians had, like the Nicolaitans, accepted some worldly practices under the assumption that since we are under grace rather than the law, we can do whatever we want.  Sex outside of marriage, divorce and alternate life styles are three that are widely accepted in Christian circles today.  While we are aware of these things, some have come into our lives more subtlety. 

Idolatry is always selfworship. Idolatry is the practice of trying to get God, the gods, nature, and/or the universe to arrange things in our favor.  It is the practice of trying to place ourselves in control. Consider good luck charms, horoscopes, looking for signs, reading of cards, rituals, etc.  

 

We must repent (change our way of thinking) about these things.  God comes against these things with the sword of His mouth, with His word.  The word of God is our most powerful weapon against the things of Satan. We must know the Word, both to know what God wants for us because what He wants will prosper us and to know what God wants us to avoid because those things will cause us misery, pain and defeat. 

John 10:10-11:  "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”