To the Church of Pergamum
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the one with the sharp two-edged sword: ‘I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city. But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it’ ” (Revelation 2:12-17).
Pergamum was an ancient Greek city in modern-day Turkey, settled over a prominent hill founded in the 3rd century BC. It was controlled by the Achaemenid Empire (the First Persian Empire founded by Cyrus the Great) for a time and was eventually ruled by one of Alexander the Great’s generals, Lysimachus, after his death, where it grew in fame and popularity.[1] Pergamum’s second king, Eumenes II, is credited with various building projects and constructing the Great Altar of Zeus, the Temples of Dionysus and Athena, the second-largest library of that time with over 200,000 books, and the steepest theater in the ancient world, which could seat over 10,000 people.[2] Pergamum later developed close alliances with Rome and served as the capital of the Roman Province of Asia.
Pergamum was famous for its medical and healing center, the Asclepion, where people worldwide came for various cures and treatments.[3] Asclepion was so named after the Greco-Roman god of healing. Historians have written that Pergamum had a sacred water source believed to cure both mental and physical disorders. Visitors were known to sleep in Asclepion’s temple, where they believed healing would occur as they slept and drank from its waters. Asclepius was often depicted standing bare-breasted in a long cloak, holding a staff with a snake wrapped around it. This snake symbol has become famous with modern-day medicine or its other emblem, the caduceus, with a winged staff and two coiled serpents intertwined.
Once again, John is told to write to the angel (leader) of the church. This time, it was to the church in Pergamum. It was important for the leader to give the church the words of commendation and correction just as Jesus gave it. Only then could the church know where it needed to improve and/or continue its course. The Bible says: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The church then and even now needs men and women of God who will deliver the true, unadulterated Word from the Lord.
Jesus reminded the church that He was the One who had a double-edged sword. A double-edged sword's literal view or meaning is that it can cut on both sides. Yet, figurative speaking, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, it is defined as something that can have favorable and unfavorable, positive and negative results or outcomes.[4] Therefore, the Word of God is favorable to those who can and do withstand correction, and it is unfavorable when the person lacks humility and is rebellious. The Bible says: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2). As believers in Christ, we should always have hearts of humility to allow the Holy Spirit to change us in all areas that may be displeasing to the Lord. The Word cuts in all directions for the one who reads, teaches, preaches, listens and willfully receives. However, those who reject the Word ultimately reject the Lord and will not be blessed by accordingly.
Jesus knew that the church in Pergamum was amidst devils, yet they remained true to Him. Satan had his throne in their midst, and there was idolatry everywhere. Pergamum practiced sun and emporer worship, and its center for medicine was a place to honor their god Asclepius. Pergamum’s medical treatments included therapeutic massages, mud baths, psychotherapy, surgeries, botanical medicine, dental treatments, and more.[5] Isn’t it amazing that medicine was used to encourage idolatry in Pergamum, just as many pharmaceuticals are today? This is not to say that medicine does not have its place. Yet, one must be mindful to place their trust in Jesus over doctors, drugs, and anything that will try to exalt itself over God. In so doing, one will have the appropriate balance between God and medicine, with the Lord taking priority. Before moving forward, one should always ask the Lord for wisdom in medical procedures, medications, medical personnel, and mental health recommendations. The Bible says: “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her” (Proverbs 3:13-15).
*Pergamum worshiped its emperors and mythical gods. Be careful not to worship any man, leader, god, or other. Only worship the Lord because man’s sinful nature causes him to fall, but God will never fail. The Bible says: “And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve” (Luke 4:8).
The church in Pergamum remained faithful despite being among idolators and even after God’s servant Antipas was put to death. There is not much known about Antipas, but Jesus described him as being faithful for being a witness of the Gospel. However, some Christian historians describe Antipas as a protégé of the Apostle John and a Christian physician/dentist accused of treachery to Caesar for promoting Christianity by the Aesculapians (members of the medical guild).[6] According to Christian historians, Antipas was recorded as the first martyr in Asia Minor. He was killed at the temple of Artemis by being placed inside a heated bronze bull over a burning fire, which the Roman Emperor Domitian had ordered. This was a horrific execution, but those who buried him reported that his body had been untouched by the fire.[7]
How many are willing to die for the cause of Christ? To be a true follower of Christ, we must be willing to forsake all, even if that means giving our lives. “Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it” (Luke 17:33). All too often, many churches prepare people for the prosperity of the Gospel, but they do not prepare them for the possible martyrdom for the Gospel. Being a Christian is not all cookies and cream, but there will be some moments of sour lemons based on the trials, temptations, and persecutions one may experience. Yet, the church in Pergamum did not allow themselves to become discouraged with the persecutions they saw and faced, which was commended by the Lord. Nevertheless, despite their faithfulness, Jesus had a few things against them. They held on to the teachings of Balaam. Let’s go into a bit of history about Balaam and the Nicolaitans.
[1]Joshua J. Mark, "Pergamon," World History Encyclopedia, accessed April 23, 2025, https://www.worldhistory.org/pergamon/.
[2] World History Edu Editorial Staff, "The Ancient City of Pergamon: History & Major Facts," World History Edu - The Future Lies In History, accessed April 23, 2025, https://worldhistoryedu.com/the-ancient-city-of-pergamon-history-major-facts/.
[3] Turkish Museum Editorial Staff, "History of Medicine: Ancient City of Pergamon | Turkish Museums," Turkish Museum, last modified July 2, 21, https://turkishmuseums.com/blog/detail/history-of-medicine-ancient-city-of-pergamon/10032/4.
[4] Merriam-Webster, "Definition of DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD," Merriam-Webster: America's Most Trusted Dictionary, accessed April 23, 2025, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double-edged%20sword.
3..[5] April Holloway, "The Mysterious Healing Centre of Asklepion in Pergamum," Ancient Origins, last modified September 16, 2013, https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-europe/mysterious-healing-centre-asklepion-pergamum-00828.
[6] Got Questions Editorial Staff, "What Was Jesus’ Message to the Church in Pergamum in Revelation?," GotQuestions.org, last modified 2025, https://www.gotquestions.org/church-in-Pergamum.html.
No comments:
Post a Comment