Letter to Pergamum Rev 2:12-17

Seven Churches of Revelation: Pergamum Smyrna to Pergamum: 55 miles

Church of Indiscriminate Tolerance: To the Church at Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17) Background Known for its library. The city’s name means “parchment” and this is where parchment was first manufactured. It was the official capital of the Roman province of Asia for two and one half centuries. It was a very wealthy city, using its wealth to build temples and altars to Greek gods; the shrine of Asklepios, noted as a god of healing and health, attracted people from all over the empire. It was the first city in Asia to have a temple devoted to the emperor. Emperor worship was even more intense here than it was in Smyrna.

Church of Indiscriminate Tolerance: To the Church at Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17) Attributes of the Speaker: “the One who has the sharp two-edged sword” (2:12). Knowledge of the People “where you dwell”; their location was significant because of the difficulty they faced there. “where Satan’s throne is”; a reference to emperor worship and the one behind it. their faithfulness in spite of these difficulties; Antipas was a specific individual who was martyred for his faith. State of the Church: tolerating two groups of heretics, those who hold to the teaching of Balaam (cf. Num 31:16) and the Nicolaitans. Balaam means “swallower of the people”; Nicolaitan means “conqueror of the people.” These were two distinct groups with similar practices. The practices of idol worship and immorality were so prominent in society that they were a constant temptation to Christians, especially those who had come out of such practices. Paul dealt with both of these issues as well.

Church of Indiscriminate Tolerance: To the Church at Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17) The Lord’s Coming is the basis for Christ’s call to repentance, else He will make war with them with the sword of His mouth. Command to Hear: Christ bids every church to heed what is said to each church. Promise to the Overcomer: some of the hidden manna and a white stone with a new name on it.

For Next Week: Letter to Thyatira Read Rev 1 and 2