Pergamum

To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you 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. (Revelation 2:12-17)

Pergamum is situated on a commanding hill in the Caicus valley, about 5 kilometres from the Caicus river, opposite the island of Lesbos, about 24 kilometres from the Aegean Sea in North West Turkey. Although the settlement is known to have been founded well before the 4th Century B.C., Pergamum rose in prominence after 282 B.C. when Philetaerus rebelled against Thrace and made it the capital of the emerging Attalid kingdom in the region of Mysia.

Pergamum came to be seen as a symbol of Greek supremacy over the Barbarians. Besides many fine buildings, the library in Pergamum, for example grew in size and prestige until it contained over 200,000 volumes and rivalled that of Alexandria. Because of this the Egyptians banned exports of papyrus to Pergamum. Scholars there devised a new material for writing known as Pergamena charta, or parchment, named after the city.

In 133 B.C. Attalus III bequeathed the city to the Romans and it became the capital of their province of Asia. Ironically Mark Antony gave Pergamum's library to Cleopatra as a sign of their friendship and its priceless volumes were moved to Alexandria.

The city was also a focus for the worship of four important Greek gods; Zeus, Athena, Dionysus and Aesclepius. Aesclepius was the pagan god of healing and archaeologists have found the hospital complex where sick people from the surrounding region were brought in the hope of finding a cure here.

Pergamum is the third city of the 'seven churches of Asia' mentioned in the Book of Revelation which reflects its geographical position after Ephesus and Smyrna (Revelation 1:11). Pergamum is described as the place, 'where Satan has his throne' (Revelation 2:13). This is very probably a reference to the fact that in 29 B.C. Pergamum became the first city in Asia to build a temple dedicated to the imperial cult worship of the Roman Emperor Augustus. Pergamum was also given the title 'Thrice Neokoros,' because there were 3 temples dedicated to the Roman emperors, in which they were worshipped as gods. Although the Roman Empire promoted polytheism, under Domitian (81-96 A.D.), worship of the Emperor was made mandatory and a test of one's loyalty to the State.

This is probably why Antipas is specifically honoured as someone who, like Stephen, was martyred there rather than renounce his faith. The Lord Jesus, however, rebukes the Christians in Pergamum who had indeed compromised their faith under the pressure of paganism, as Balaam had done before (2 Peter 2:15-16).

The sword was a symbol of Roman rule, so Jesus reminds them that he alone possesses the true and ultimate authority, not Rome, symbolised by his 'sharp, double-edged sword' (Revelation 2:12). The meaning of the 'white stone' (Revelation 2:17) is not certain. It is possibly a reference a 'pebble' or tessera, used in a law court to indicate the acquittal of the accused. The new name written on it gives us assurance of our forgiveness and acceptance by the Lord Jesus Christ.

The pressure to tolerate heresy and immorality under the guise of 'alternative lifestyles' and multi-faith worship is probably as strong now as it was in Pergamum. Our responsibility is to remain pure and faithful to God alone, then we will 'overcome'. Like the manna provided in the wilderness, as we seek his strength, Jesus provides us with 'hidden manna' to sustain us (Revelation 2:17). Pergamum reminds us that no power on earth can thwart God's purposes for us if we remain faithful to our calling.