To the angel of the church in Pergamum, write this: “‘The one with the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13 “I know that you live where Satan’s throne is, and yet you hold fast to my name and have not denied your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was martyred among you, where Satan lives. 14 Yet I have a few things against you. You have some people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the Israelites: to eat food sacrificed to idols and to play the harlot. 15 Likewise, you also have some people who hold to the teaching of [the] Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore, repent. Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 “‘“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor I shall give some of the hidden manna; I shall also give a white amulet upon which is inscribed a new name, which no one knows except the one who receives it.”
John continues with his letters to the seven Churches as the Risen Christ commanded which were meant to encourage and strengthen the Churches. Pergamum was a wealthy ancient city in modern-day Turkey under Roman control and was famous for cult worship. There were temples or shrines to Zeus, Athena, Dionysus, and Asklipius where Cults worshipped and there was a huge altar to Zeus which could be seen even from outside the city. Pagan worship of the Roman Emperor, the cult of emperor worship, was very important and Christians who did not recognize the emperor as lord could face serious consequences even death. This was the case in all seven Churches. It appears that the Gentile pagans in Pergamon were the most fervent in their worship of the emperor.
The author speaks of himself as “The one with the sharp two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12). Pergamum, a center for pagan cult worship, was referred to as the place “where Satan’s throne is” (v. 13). Satan is seen as the force behind the persecution of Christians. Christians at Pergamum are praised for their perseverance in the faith and Antipas, the Risen Christ’s ‘faithful witness,’ was arrested and martyred. Satan’s throne was the judgment seat of the Roman Governor. The Governor in all the Roman provinces held the power to execute. This was called the law of the sword. That contrasts with the sharp two-edged sword, the living word of God. Some of the Christians were still following pagan customs. References were made to Balaam., a non-Israelite diviner or prophet, (Num. 22-24) who advised Balak, king of Moab, in ways to make the Israelites unfaithful to God (Num. 31:16). It appears that some Christians were eating foods sacrificed to idols – idolatry because they were taking part in a pagan ritual (1 Cor. 8-10) and marrying pagan wives – harlotry because they profaned themselves with pagan women (Num. 25:1-2). The Nicolaitans’ teaching was similar to Balaam’s, so the Pergamum Christians who had reverted to some of their old pagan ways (apostasy) must repent or face the consequences. Those who are faithful will receive the food of life. They will receive a white amulet and a new name, a symbol of victory and joy, the name of his God (Rev. 3:12). No one is to know the name so that no one else can use it (Rev.19:12).
Almighty God, Christian persecutions, no matter the form, cause some to turn away from you because you demand commitment, fidelity, and perseverance. In your mercy lead us back to you when we stray and grant us the joy of your salvation. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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