Jesus has personal messages to seven churches. Here is his message to the third church, the church in Pergamum (or Pergamon).
In modern times the ruins of Pergamum are above the modern town of Bergama. At one time, Pergamum had been the center of the Kingdom of Pergamon, but that kingdom was absorbed into the Roman empire two centuries before John's letter.
In modern times the ruins of Pergamum are above the modern town of Bergama. At one time, Pergamum had been the center of the Kingdom of Pergamon, but that kingdom was absorbed into the Roman empire two centuries before John's letter.
Revelation 2: 12-17, The message to Pergamum
“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.
13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.
15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.
13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.
15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
The One with the sharp sword says that although "Satan has his throne" in their town, the church has remained true.
The Nicolaitans show up again here along with the "teaching of Balaam". I don't know who Antipas was, but tradition has a Bishop Antipas of Pergamum, appointed by John to this church. I don't know if he was a real historical figure or if that tradition begins with this letter.
Who gets the white stone? What does it mean? What does the manna signify?
The Nicolaitans show up again here along with the "teaching of Balaam". I don't know who Antipas was, but tradition has a Bishop Antipas of Pergamum, appointed by John to this church. I don't know if he was a real historical figure or if that tradition begins with this letter.
Who gets the white stone? What does it mean? What does the manna signify?
Apparently the error of Balaam is compromise, eg. marrying nonbelievers. (Commentator Merrill Tenney says it is "moral laxity".)
The "two-edged sword" occurs 6 or 7 times in Revelation.
This church receives some criticism, but mainly encouragement. I give this church a B.
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