Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a place where Christianity isn't just unpopular, but actively opposed? Imagine a city where following Jesus could cost you your life, where your neighbors worship idols, and where false teaching threatens to corrupt your church from within. For the Christians in ancient Pergamum, this wasn't a hypothetical scenario—it was their daily reality. They lived in what Jesus Himself called "Satan's city," a place "where Satan has his throne" (Revelation 2:13).
In Revelation 2:12-17, Jesus addresses the church at Pergamum through a letter delivered by John. To understand this passage, we need to do what we should with every Bible text—go back to that day and time to understand the context.
Pergamum was called "the greatest city in Asia Minor." With approximately 200,000 people, it was a sophisticated, cultured metropolis. It housed the second-best library in the entire world with about 2,000 volumes. It was so committed to learning that when Alexandria (home of the world's best library) refused to send them papyrus, they developed parchment as an alternative writing material.
The city was also a medical center. "They had a temple there dedicated to this God of healing. And the insignia on that temple...was a snake. It's been a medical symbol throughout the centuries and remains one today." In such sophisticated settings, "the things of God are foolish. They're silly, because these people have got it all figured out, but they don't need God."
Most significantly, Pergamum had "the first temple dedicated to Caesar" and was "a big promoter of Caesar and the Roman government." This explains why Jesus calls it the place "where Satan has his throne." Satan wasn't just present there—"he was calling the shots from this place."
Jesus introduces Himself to this church as "the one with the sharp two-edged sword" (Revelation 2:12). This wasn't a light weapon—"this was a big dude that you were gonna swing like a baseball bat. It was big and heavy and was gonna do some damage."
By describing Himself this way, "Jesus is telling the people at Pergamum, 'I am very serious about what I am getting ready to tell you.'" This image would be both intimidating to those in the wrong and comforting to faithful believers.
This description also establishes Jesus's power and authority compared to the Roman government. "Roman government, they didn't care if they killed or not. You get out of line, you're dead. It was that simple." These Christians "were seeing people who were close to them be martyred...their friends and fellow Christians being persecuted and tortured." Through this powerful imagery, "Jesus is saying, 'The cavalry is here, guys. It's time. I'm going to take care of things.'"
Despite living in such a hostile environment, Jesus commends these believers: "You hold fast my name" and "you didn't deny my name" (Revelation 2:13). Their loyalty to Christ was intense and passionate.
Jesus specifically mentions "Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed among you, there where Satan dwells" (Revelation 2:13). We don't know much about Antipas, "but legend has it that the way he died was that he was roasted in a bull." What's remarkable is how Jesus describes him: "My witness, my faithful one."
"If you check that name out, 'my faithful one,' in the book of Revelation in particular, you know who else has that title or name? None other than Jesus himself." This is an incredible honor—"for Jesus to take one of the titles, one of the many titles that he's been given and to share it with this man."
Despite their faithfulness under persecution, this church had a serious problem. "It wasn't a perfect church. There were some good people...but there were some issues."
Jesus says, "I have a few things against you because...there are some who are holding the teaching of Balaam" and "you also have some who...hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans" (Revelation 2:14-15). These false teachers were promoting idolatry and sexual immorality.
The story of Balaam and Balak from the Old Testament illustrates how Satan works. Balak wanted to defeat Israel militarily, and Balaam suggested using attractive Moabite women to seduce the Israelite men. "One thing led to another and sure enough it worked." These women "led them into the practice of worshiping all their idols" and "seduced these guys."
This happened in Pergamum because "somebody left the gate open for Satan to slip in with all of his junk." The church had developed "tolerance...for this kind of heresy," and Jesus said, "it's got to be stopped."
"Folks, there is a difference between loving people and tolerating bad things, bad behaviors in people. We are commanded to love all people...but that does not mean that we embrace everything about that person's lifestyle and say that it's okay." The danger is that tolerance can lead to acceptance and then to participation.
Jesus calls this church to "repent" or else "I am coming to you quickly and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth" (Revelation 2:16). The responsibility falls on the church that "left the door open" for false teaching.
"John is presenting a picture for us here of a Savior who's got this big heavy sword that has to be held with two hands because it's so heavy and it's deadly, deadly as all get out. And he's saying, 'Enough is enough. It's got to stop.'"
But Jesus also offers rewards to "him who overcomes" (Revelation 2:17):
"Hidden manna" - symbolizing God's provision. "Basically, Jesus is saying, 'You keep on trusting me. I'm going to take care of you. You don't need the meat that's been offered in these sacrifices.'"
"A white stone with a new name written on it" - possibly like a victory token or a symbol of identity. "The bottom line is it was the Lord's way of saying to these people, 'Not only am I going to take care of you with this hidden manna, I am also going to let you know that you are mine and I am yours.'"
What does this ancient letter mean for us today? Here are some practical applications:
Satan rarely announces his presence. "Does he come in, 'Hi, my name is Satan. I'm here to hurt you, to destroy you, to wreak havoc in your marriage and family life'? No, he doesn't do that, does he? He slips in and does his best to look like the rest of the folk."
"From day one, Satan has been a deceiver. Don't forget that. Don't ever, ever, ever forget that." We must be "hyper vigilant, hyper vigilant when it comes down to dealing with Satan. Because he doesn't care if he rips your heart out. If he gets a chance, he will."
Love everyone, but don't tolerate everything. "There is a difference between loving people and tolerating bad things, bad behaviors in people. We are commanded to love all people...but that does not mean that we embrace everything about that person's lifestyle."
The most powerful defense against a hostile world is knowing whose you are. "The idea that I am his and that he is mine is just so overwhelmingly amazing." This relationship "puts meaning in songs like, 'Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; because He lives, all fear is gone.'"
"I can tell you there is a difference between [accepting Christ as Savior] and thinking about Jesus in terms of, 'This is my very best friend. I have no idea how I would live without Him.'"
When you know that "I am His and He is mine," then "I don't care who my neighbor is—Diablo or Satan or Adversary or '666 Hell' is their avenue or street name address. I don't care. I am His and He is mine."
Are you at that point in your life with Jesus Christ? If not, why not? Because He wants you to be there.