“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’” (Rev. 2:12-17).
We continue in our study of the seven churches of Asia to discuss the church at Pergamos. This church was both commended and chastised by the Lord.
A Surrounded Church:The Lord said that the church at Pergamos dwelt “where Satan’s throne is” (Rev. 2:13). History tells us that Pergamos was the worship center of Asia and the first city in Asia to have a temple designed for worship of the Roman emperor. They were surrounded by evil and heathen worship. We find ourselves today also surrounded much wrong. We must watch our associations as we endeavor to keep ourselves pure (cf. 1 Cor. 5:9-10; 15:33).
A Confessing Church:Obviously, being surrounded by idolatry had resulted in persecution of the Christians in Pergamos. One Christian there, Antipas, had been martyred for the cause of Christ (Rev. 2:13). Persecution that was in the future for Smyrna was already present in Pergamos. Jesus said they had held fast to His name and had not denied His faith even in the midst of this persecution (Rev. 2:13). This church is to be commended as they remained a confessing church in the face of much opposition. As those who “live godly in Christ Jesus,” we will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Will we buckle under the pressure and deny, or, will we continue to confess the Lord in word and action?
A Tolerant Church:Jesus did have a “few things” against the church in Pergamos. They had some there that held “the doctrine of Balaam” and “the doctrine of the Nicolaitians” (Rev. 2:14-15). Though we are unsure what the doctrine of the Nicolaitians was, you will remember that Balaam gave counsel which ensnared the Israelites into offering worship to idols (Num. 31:16). It seems then that there were some among the Christians at Pergamos who thought it good to offer sacrifices to idols. Though not every one was practicing such, they did not condemn this teaching and action. Too many churches are tolerant of false teaching today, allowing it to go on unchallenged. We must not only avoid wrong, but also reprove those who are involved in the wrongdoing and those who teach false things (cf. 1 Cor. 5:6-8).
A Warned Church:The church was warned by the Lord, “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” (Rev. 2:16). A tolerant church is a church in danger of the condemnation of the Lord (cf. 1 Tim. 6:3-5).
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”
David Eldridge