1. DESTINATION
The city of Pergamos was a blend of political power, pagan worship, and academic sophistication at its university. It was the capital city of Asia Minor, and royal officials filled it with beautiful palaces, temples, and idols. There was an altar to Zeus that was a wonder of the ancient world. The patron god of the city was Aesculapius, the god of healing. In this temple a living serpent was the symbol of worship. All the pagan rites of antiquity were practiced here.
One of the great universities of the era was located here, with a library at one time of 200,000 books, second in size only to Alexandria's. Greek philosophy pervaded the city. Pergamos also contained a temple to Octavius Caesar where Caesar-worship flourished. Each citizen was required to offer incense to the emperor once a year and declare that Caesar was Lord.
2. DESCRIPTION OF CHRIST
Jesus describes Himself as having a sharp sword with two edges. Other verses of Scripture teach us that this refers to the Word of God in its keen discernment of men's thoughts and motives. Jesus acknowledged that although their outward behavior was not all it could be, their motives toward him were right, and that is what He was judging.
3. COMMENDATION
The Lord Jesus assures these believers that He knows they were dwelling where Satan's throne is – that is, in the heart of a city under Satan's control. He therefore understands the persecutions and temptations they were experiencing from the rampant Satanic religion.
Jesus praises these saints for continuing to boldly proclaim Him as the only Lord in the face of great danger and opposition. He also commends them for sticking steadfastly to the truth rather than watering it down or perverting it with the aberration of the pagan religions.
There is no doubt that many Christians in the church of Pergamos died for their faith, but Jesus singles out one man especially and calls him "My faithful martyr." Church tradition tells us that the first martyr, called Antipas, was brought before a statue of Caesar and told to swear that Caesar was God.
But Antipas boldly proclaimed that Jesus alone was the Lord, and that there was no other God but He. The Roman official exclaimed, "Antipas, don't you know that the whole world is against you?" to which he replied, "Then Antipas is against the whole world!" Antipas was put inside a brass bull which was heated with fire until he was roasted to death. Antipas was just an obscure man of history who was totally committed to Christ. But he is the one we remember when we think of ancient Pergamos.
4. REBUKE
The Lord deals with our sins according to our maturity and the circumstances of our failure. This church was tolerating serious evil in the teachings and practices of Balaam and the Nickelodeons, yet the Lord's rebuke shows understanding of the pressures Satan can bring. The teaching of Balaam drew God's people away by using voluptuous women as enticement to sin. The teachings of the Nickelodeons may have originated with Nicholas, one of the seven original deacons.
(Acts 6:5, KJB) This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. (NIV)
Nicholas drifted into Greek philosophy and began to accept its tenet that the spiritual part of man is inherently good and the material part inherently evil. He reasoned that a man's indulgence of his body didn't defile his spirit. That gave religious sanction to the playboys of his day!
Nicholas also taught his followers to go to the pagan temples as well as to the church. In fact, he sought to merge Christianity with paganism. Cozy compromise with the world was the heart of his teaching. So much like the spirit of worldliness so evident in hearts of believers today.
5. EXHORTATION
Jesus hated these teachings because they lured believers away from fellowship with him and compelled Him to discipline them. No sin can be committed, whether in body or in mind, that doesn't affect the believer's communion with Christ until it is judged and forsaken.
Jesus warns the church to expel all who teach and practice such error unless they repent. Otherwise He himself will fight them with the sword of His Word.
6. PROMISE
The people of that day were enamored with the "mysteries" of the pagan religious rites. But Jesus promised GREATER mysteries for His followers to ENJOY FOREVER--"hidden manna" and a "stone with a new name which only a receiver knows." Just as Israel received manna from heaven as its food while in the wilderness, so the believer will be fed and sustained by the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ.
Some law courts of John's day give a white stone to a defendant when he was acquitted and a black stone when found guilty. Being given a white stone with a new name on it suggests the believer's complete acceptance and favor with God.
7. PROPHETIC APPLICATION: A.D. 312-590
(Jesus' parallel in Matthew 13:31-32 (KJB), the Grain of Mustard Seed).
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
31 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.
32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."
(Matthew 13:31-32, KJB)
During the historical era that the church of Pergamos symbolized, the church merged with the state. Emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the empire and massive persecution ceased. But this apparent blessing to the church became a curse. The church compromised its position more and more in order to gain favor and power.
A church hierarchy began to develop, with the Bishop of Rome claiming increasing prominence because of his proximity to the ruler of the empire. He sought to strengthen his claim with the declaration of apostolic succession – alleging that this office in Rome was linked directly to Peter and that the Big Fisherman was the foundation of the church.
As the church at Pergamos therefore compromised with the world's paganism and immorality, its symbolic counterpart in the fourth and the fifth centuries committed spiritual adultery in an impure alliance with the Roman Empire.
