The seven churches: Pergamum
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Why was compromise a wrong choice for the Christians in Pergamum?
Pergamum was about sixty-five miles north of Smyrna but was not a coastal city in Asia Minor. It was located inland, in a highly fertile area. Some considered Pergamum the capital of Roman Asia because of its beauty and wealth. King Eumenes of Pergamum hoped to one day build a library that would exceed Alexandria’s. To hinder that plan, the export of papyrus to the region was cut off to Pergamum. That embargo led King Eumenes to develop parchment, a writing material made from animal skins.
Pergamum was home to famous sculptures, temples to many Roman gods, and at least three temples for emperor worship. Finally, it was unique in that it was the only city that Rome allowed to use capital punishment. Even the Jewish historian Josephus wrote about Pergamum, which had a Jewish community living there.
What was it like for the Christians of Pergamum?
When Jesus gave his message to John about Pergamum, he said, “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 to my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells’” (Revelation 2:12–13).
Jesus told the pastor of the Christian church that the words of his message to Pergamum were to be considered a “sharp two-edged sword.” These Christians lived in a city where the Roman leaders were allowed to execute those believed to be criminals. All that is known about Antipas is that he was a faithful witness, and he was killed in a city “where Satan dwells.” In a city that held three temples dedicated to emperor worship, Antipas likely refused to say the words, “Caesar is Lord,” and, as a result, lost his life. Jesus wanted the pastor and the Christians in Pergamum to know that his words would be their weapon, a “sharp two-edged sword.”
But not everyone would stand for their witness as Antipas had done.
Who had compromised their witness in Pergamum?
Jesus said, “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans” (Revelation 2:14–15).
Apparently, some Christians divided the church and distorted the apostolic message by following wrong teaching. Those wrong teachers were compared to those in Old Testament history who misled the Israelites to follow Baal. The church in Pergamum allowed people to preach a compromised message, and many followed their message.
Jesus commended the church in Ephesus because they “hated the practices of the Nicolaitans,” just as he also “hated them” (Revelation 2:6). The Nicolaitans were a heretical group whose message allowed for certain compromises that made living under Roman rule more bearable or pleasant. This unbiblical teaching was understandably popular, but it was not the truth of God. Jesus spoke against the people “who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans” (2:15).
If Jesus were to write letters to the Christian churches today, what wrong, unbiblical teaching would he point to as false teaching? What issues have Christian churches spoken for or against that do not follow the truth of Scripture? What issues have churches grown quiet about, refusing to address in sermons or Bible study?
What did Jesus instruct the pastor to tell the compromised in Pergamum?
Jesus instructed those who had fallen away from his truth to “repent,” a word that means to “stop and go the other direction.” Jesus told those who followed the teaching of the Nicolaitans, “Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth” (Revelation 2:16). The words of Jesus, our Scripture, is a “two-edged sword” which means it cuts in every direction. Jesus taught that a Christian’s most potent weapon in a culture of multiple gods is the truth of God.
Aren’t we seeing that in our own culture today? The quiet and softened messages from the pulpit might not ruffle feathers, but they also don’t stir the waters of the baptistry with people who understand their need to “repent” and be saved. Truth doesn’t have to be a weapon. Still, as the writer of Hebrews makes clear: “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The powerful word of God leads people to seek repentance when they understand their great need of salvation.
Most preachers don’t want to “step on toes,” but let’s face it: a GREAT sermon cuts to our hearts and causes us to consider our own thinking and intentions. It makes us want to repent, turn from wrong habits and ideas, and turn toward God instead.
He who has an ear . . .
Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it” (Revelation 2:17).
Jesus told those who would hear, understand, and obey that they could “conquer.” The truth isn’t just powerful for the Christians who will speak it, but also for those who will accept it. Listening to Jesus and following his word means, as Paul pointed out, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
Jesus told the church in Pergamum that he would give them “some hidden manna” and “a white stone, with a new name written on the stone.” We don’t know exactly what Jesus meant, but it’s possible that he was referring to the manna that Moses “hid” in the ark of the covenant to remind God’s people of his abiding grace, power, and faithfulness.
A white stone was often used in the first century as an invitation to a wedding, banquet, or important gathering. Only those with the correct white stone were allowed to enter. Jesus will place a new name and identity on the person who accepts his “invitation.” It’s possible that Jesus was saying to those who would repent and faithfully follow the new covenant gospel that they could now walk daily knowing that Jesus will hand us a “white stone” that invites us into heaven, our new home.
To those who “have an ear to hear,” will you allow Jesus’ word to Pergamum to be a “sharp two-edged sword” that you will faithfully obey, share, and teach as his word of truth? We live in a culture that worships personal truth more than perfect, biblical truth. Compromising biblical truth wasn’t the right choice for Pergamum and isn’t the right choice for Christians today.
