The Letter to the Church at Pergamum.
“Satan’s Throne.”
Rev 2:12-17
Background.
Called Pergamos but more commonly known as Pergamum, this city was founded earlier than the 5th century BC.
In 282 BC, it became the capital of the Seleucid Kingdom, one of the sections of the empire of Alexander the Great. It remained the capital until being willed to Rome in 133 BC. From then on it became the capital of the Province of Asia. By John’s time, the city had a population of approximately 200,000.
Pergamum was situated on a lofty isolated hill overlooking a broad valley some 16 miles (25 km) from the Aegean Sea. Even today it is still an impressive if not spectacular location.
As well as being a political city, Pergamum was also a centre of culture but it never reached the commercial greatness of either Ephesus or Smyrna. The city processed a library second only to the one at Alexandra in Egypt. It is thought that parchment was invented here when sheep skins were used as a writing material in an attempt to overcome the monopoly that Egypt had on papyrus.
Pergamum was one of the greatest religious centres of the Roman world. A great altar to Zeus was built in front of the Temple of Athene which stood eight hundred feet (240 m) up on the mountainside dominating the entire area. This alter was some forty feet (12 m) high and stood on a projecting ledge of rock and from the valley below had the appearance of a great throne. See the text “place of Satan’s throne” Rev 2:13. Prostitution was prevalent in this temple, being very much a part of worship.
The people of Pergamum were also concerned with the worship of Asclepius, the god of healing. His temples were the nearest approach to hospitals in the ancient world. Two reasons why this temple could have been called Satan’s seat by the early Christians were:-
1) Asclepius was often known as the ‘saviour.’
2) The emblem of Asclepius was the serpent coiled around a stick.
While these cults clearly illustrate the religious background of the city, the main concern of the early church at Pergamum was emperor worship. The temple of Rome and Augustus was established here in 29 BC. Christians in Pergamum faced the choice of either Christ or Caesar, where Caesar claimed such titles as ‘Lord’ or ‘Saviour.’ Under Emperor Domitian, Imperial Worship was strictly enforced except among the Jews who paid a tax as the price of exemption.
Photos.
In 282 BC, it became the capital of the Seleucid Kingdom, one of the sections of the empire of Alexander the Great. It remained the capital until being willed to Rome in 133 BC. From then on it became the capital of the Province of Asia. By John’s time, the city had a population of approximately 200,000.
Pergamum was situated on a lofty isolated hill overlooking a broad valley some 16 miles (25 km) from the Aegean Sea. Even today it is still an impressive if not spectacular location.
As well as being a political city, Pergamum was also a centre of culture but it never reached the commercial greatness of either Ephesus or Smyrna. The city processed a library second only to the one at Alexandra in Egypt. It is thought that parchment was invented here when sheep skins were used as a writing material in an attempt to overcome the monopoly that Egypt had on papyrus.
Pergamum was one of the greatest religious centres of the Roman world. A great altar to Zeus was built in front of the Temple of Athene which stood eight hundred feet (240 m) up on the mountainside dominating the entire area. This alter was some forty feet (12 m) high and stood on a projecting ledge of rock and from the valley below had the appearance of a great throne. See the text “place of Satan’s throne” Rev 2:13. Prostitution was prevalent in this temple, being very much a part of worship.
The people of Pergamum were also concerned with the worship of Asclepius, the god of healing. His temples were the nearest approach to hospitals in the ancient world. Two reasons why this temple could have been called Satan’s seat by the early Christians were:-
1) Asclepius was often known as the ‘saviour.’
2) The emblem of Asclepius was the serpent coiled around a stick.
While these cults clearly illustrate the religious background of the city, the main concern of the early church at Pergamum was emperor worship. The temple of Rome and Augustus was established here in 29 BC. Christians in Pergamum faced the choice of either Christ or Caesar, where Caesar claimed such titles as ‘Lord’ or ‘Saviour.’ Under Emperor Domitian, Imperial Worship was strictly enforced except among the Jews who paid a tax as the price of exemption.
Today Pergamum is represented by the small town of Bergama on the plain below the ancient city. It is still a very impressive site with a lot to see on the mountain or in the surrounding area. The hill is a windswept mountain of dark granite with rock-cut terraces where once the magnificent public buildings stood. The great cuts can still be seen high up on the hillside where once the altar of Asclepius and the amphitheatre stood.
Photos.
Various views around the city of Pergamum.
A model of what the city may have looked like.
“Satan’s Throne.”
Rev 2:12-17
Text Notes.
Rev 2.12 The description of Jesus.
“the one who has a sharp two edged sword”
This verse is also closely linked to the picture of Christ in Chapter One so we can again clearly know that this letter to the Church at Pergamum also came from Him.
In older Greek manuscripts this phrase is repeated from Rev 1:16 in the same order of words but with the ‘article’ used to highlight and add greater emphases to each point:- ‘the sword – the two-edged, the sharp.’
Rev 2:13 The Condition of the Church
1) “Dwelling place of Satan’s throne.”
Remember the temples of Zeus and Asclepius with their immoral pagan worship and emperor worship at Pergamum.
2) “Hold fast to my name.”
Even though they were living in the shadow of the ‘dwelling place of Satan’ they still held fast to the name of Christ.
3) “did not deny My faith.”
Remember Rev 1:10 where Christ told the Church at Smyrna to “…be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Greek:- martus – means witness
(Strongs Concordance, Greek Dictionary of the New Test.
Page 46, Word 3144)
Often being a faithful witness also meant being a martyr as well. The word martyr comes from this same root word. Notice that Jesus calls one who is faithful to Him the same name as He uses for Himself.
Rev 1:5; Rev 3:14 “the faithful witness.”
We do not know who Antipas was, except from a legend that he was a martyr for his faith. The name ‘Antipas’ was a common name among the Herod family and their close friends but nothing within this letter can lead us to conclude that they were linked to this Antipas.
All we can know is that he was a faithful Christian who was martyred in this city. The important point from the text is to notice that Jesus acknowledges him as being faithful until he was even called to give his life for his faith. One tradition states that Antipas was the first martyr in the Province of Asia. According to this account, he was slowly roasted to death in a large bronze kettle or bronze bull.
The persecution faced by 1st century Christians was not limited to any one Church but faced throughout the entire Roman Empire. In the letter to the Church at Smyrna, we learnt the story of Polycarp who gave his life for his faith, now at the Church in Pergamum we find Christians facing similar persecution.
Rev 2:13-14 Problems within the Church.
“There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam. - Balaamism”
Num 25:1-5; 31:16; 22:5-7.
The Israelites were seduced into illegal and sacrilegious unions with Moabite women. They soon were led into the worship of Baal-peor. We find in Num 31:16 that this is attributed to the evil influence of Balaam. From that point on in the Hebrew writings, any evil person who led and seduced the people into sinful worship of an idol was known as Balaam.
Notice that here Christ is not accusing the church at large of practising Balaam's doctrine, they allowed it. This doctrine of Balaam was closely related to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, see below. Some of the church were involved with that too. Following other doctrines could only distract them from where their real faith should be, in Christ.
Notice that here Christ is not accusing the church at large of practising Balaam's doctrine, they allowed it. This doctrine of Balaam was closely related to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, see below. Some of the church were involved with that too. Following other doctrines could only distract them from where their real faith should be, in Christ.
“Nicolaitans”
Perhaps the Nicolaitans were a following of a false teacher.
See Rev 2:6.
Greek:- Nicolans comes from the word ‘Nikan’ meaning to conquer.
From the word ‘laos’ meaning the people.
Nicolans means ‘to conquer the people.
(Strongs Concordance, Greek Dictionary of the New Test.
Page 50, word 3528 & pg 44, word 2992)
Hebrew:- Balaam comes from the word ‘bela’ meaning to conquer or destroy.
From the word ‘laam’ meaning the people.
Balaam means ‘to conquer the people.”
(Strongs Concordance, Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary
Page 21, Word 1105 & pg 89, word 1971)
With the loose translation of both these names meaning ‘to conquer the people’ perhaps the teachings of both of these so called religious people are one and the same. Well, whatever they taught for Christians the outcome was the same. Christians were being led away from the Church and away from following Christ.
We can only guess at how much damage was done to the early church by these teachings but whatever happens, we always need to keep in mind that God is in control and if our goal is always to follow Christ we will never be led astray by similar false teaching.
Rev 2:16 Warning to the Church.
The fact that this warning was given to the church shows the responsibility of the church in allowing practices against Christ. We can not tolerate such within our churches. It will grow and eventually consume the whole church, leading all into sin.
“Repent”
“Repent”
Turn away from the sinful world and back towards Christ.
John 12:47-50
Repent or else –
“I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.”
This is a further reference to the image from Chapter One that Christ used to identify Himself as He opened this letter, “the sharp two edged sword”.
In Chapter One we found that the sword from the mouth of Christ is His word. “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” Heb 4:12. The meaning is that we need to repent as we are told by the word of God or else by those same words we will be judged.
Rev 2:17 Promise to the Church.
“Hidden Manna”
Ex 16:14-15
Manna of the Old Testament was the food God supplied to the Jews as they wondered for 40 years in the desert.
John 6:31-35
Manna of the New Testament, Christ the ‘bread of life.’
“A white stone with a new name written on it.”
Pergamum engaged in the mining of a white stone which had many commercial uses. A small piece of this stone with a name carved upon it was often presented on various occasions to give honour to somebody special.
Some of these occasions were:-
1) When a man was tried and acquitted.
2) When a man was freed from slavery.
3) To the winner of a contest.
4) To warriors or soldiers returning from victory.
Put these four together and you have Christians. The white stone, the victory stone was promised to those who overcome. But what about the ‘new’ name?
Isa 62:2-4 “the nations will see your righteousness…. You will be called a new name.”
Here we have the example of those who overcome being given a white stone, the stone of great achievement, of victory, with their name written upon it. What better way to tell Christians that they have overcome the worldly strife and attained heavenly peace.
Rev 2:17 “He who has an ear etc…”
Again Jesus ends with this same ending as He used for the first two letters.
See notes on Ephesus.
The Letter to the Church at Thyatira
“Where Jezebel Is”
Background.
Rev 2:18-29
The Lydians probably founded Thyatira and it was called Pelopia. In 290 BC it became a Macedonian colony and its name changed to Thyatira.
The city lies in a long broad valley on the road between Pergamum and Sardis. This road was important because it was the route of the Imperial Mail as well as a major link between the coast and inland towns. Thyatira, therefore, became an important garrison town manned by a company of armed Macedonian troops.
Not much is known about the town except that rather than being a cultural centre it was an industrial and commercial centre for a dyeing industry and trading in woollen goods.
Thyatira had many trade guilds or associations of people employed in a certain trade. Membership of these trade associations included common meals that were often held in temples. Sacrifices and other acts of immorality were a part of these occasions as well. After meat had been sacrificed to the gods, it was then eaten as part of the meal. Of course, this meant that Christians couldn’t take part and so, therefore, couldn’t work in many of these trades.
The church at Thyatira was very likely established by the Apostle Paul. Lydia was a native of this place, she and her household were converted and baptised by him at Philippi, Acts 16:14.
Today Thyatira is called Akhisar and it is still an industrial town. Although there has been continuous occupation of the area for thousands of years there is not much to see of the ancient town, which cannot be excavated because it lies buried under the modern town.
Of all the seven cities of Asia, Thyatira is the most unremarkable both historically and scenically. It is also interesting to note that it was to this so-called ‘unremarkable town’ that Jesus chose to write the longest of the seven letters.
Some early authors objected to the authority of this letter, stating that there was no church in Thyatira at the time when this letter was believed to have been written. Well, this point cannot be proved either way except for evidence in the Bible. The context of Revelation having seven churches in a book featuring series of sevens and the fact that the letter was included with the other six letters in some of the earliest manuscripts makes a strong argument for the church having been established. It is certain there was a church there by the second century and that by the fourth century there was a bishop from Thyatira at the council of Nice.
Photos.
Today the modern town of Akhisar is built over the ruins of the ancient town of Thyatira so there is not much to be seen of this old city.
Some coins found in the ruins of Thyatira
Thyatira
“Where Jezebel Is”
Text Notes:-
Rev 2:18-29
Rev 2:18 Description of Jesus.
“....the Son of God.”Jesus uses the term “Son of God” to claim deity and authority for Himself. God had only one true son and that was Jesus.
Matt 3:16-17 After Jesus came up out of the waters of baptism the Spirit of God descended like a dove and a voice came out of heaven saying:-
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
Matt 4:3 When Satan came to tempt Jesus he recognised Jesus as being the Son of God.
“who has eyes like a flame of fire.” Rev 1:14.
“and His feet are like burnished bronze.” Rev 1:15.
Again we see that the beginning of this letter is closely tied in with the vision of the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) which John saw in chapter one. Jesus is seen as having those all seeing all knowing eyes capable of seeing into the very hearts of men. Then, of course, the burnished bronze feet are symbolic of His role as a divine messenger between God and man.
Rev 2:19 Commendation of the Church.
1) “Works (deeds)”Jesus says, “I know your works.” I know what you do for Me and for others in My name.
2) “Love.”
Jesus says, “I know your love.” I know the love that you have for me and the love you have for others within My church.
3) “Faith.”
Jesus says, “I know your faith.” I know your faith, I know that you are faithful to Me and My word.
Heb 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
4) “Ministry of service.”
Jesus says, “I know your ministry, your service.”
I know the service of love that you perform for one another, such as praying for one another, bearing one another’s burdens, admonishing and reproving sin, restoring those who have gone astray, comforting the distressed, building up one another and exhorting each other to the duties of service in the name of Jesus Christ.
5) “Patience (perseverance)”
Jesus says, “I know your patience.” I know your patience, your perseverance in suffering for the sake of My name and the Gospel. Christians of the 1st century were called to endure a lot for Christ but in so many cases they held true to their faith through whatever the world threw at them.
6) “Last works greater than the first.”
Jesus says He knew the works of His people at Thyatira. His eyes, described as flames of fire, could see their love, faith, service and patience but also beyond these to the very principles and attitudes behind their actions.
Rev 2:20-23 Problems of the Church – Jezebel.
“She calls herself a prophetess and claims to speak for God.”By calling herself a prophetess she was claiming a title used in the Old Testament for women such as Miriam, Deborah and the wife of Isaiah. In claiming to be a prophetess, she classified herself with some of the greatest women of the Old Testament which gave her great prestige and caused the church at Thyatira to listen to her and follow her.
“She leads my bond servants away.”
Only once before is the word prophetess used in the New Testament and that is regarding Anna who served in the temple with fasting and prayers night and day. She blessed Christ when they brought Him into the temple as a baby. Luke 2:36-38. Again, this gave her great prestige, causing the church to listen to her.
“She has been given time to repent but she didn’t want to.”
God is a long suffering God, but there comes a time when He ceases to be patient.
“I will cast her upon a bed of sickness……her followers into great tribulation.”
Note that her children mentioned here are those who follow her and will lose their lives because of her. “…wages of sin is death….” Rom 6:23.Not much is known as to whether the name Jezebel was her real name but keeping in mind that we are studying a book of symbolic images it is more likely that this name was used to highlight her actions as being like the Jezebel of the Old Testament.
1 Kings 16:31-32; 18:4,13,19; 21:4-15; 2 Kings 9:22.
Rev 2:24-28 Promise to the Church.
“He who overcomes”“Authority over the nations.” Rev 2:26-27
“Rule with an iron rod.” Ps 2:9; Rev 3:21
The rod of iron was a symbol of authority.
“Morning Star – Jesus” Rev 2:28
In Rev 22:16 Christ is the “Morning Star.” It is through Christ and because of Him that there is victory.
In Roman times, Venus – the ‘morning star’ was worshipped as ‘Venus Felix’ the bringer of good fortune or ‘Venus Victrix’ the bringer of victory. Two good examples of what Jesus Christ was to the 1st century Christians.
The appearance of the ‘Morning Star’ was a sign of hope, a sign of the coming of a new day. Jesus uses the same sign as a sign of hope, the sign of a coming of a new age for those who overcome their worldly struggles.
Rev 2:29 “He who has an ear etc…”
Again Jesus ends with this same ending. See notes on Ephesus.