The church of Pergamos was located about sixty miles north of Smyrna, which was at one time the official Asian center for the imperial cult. It was also the center of worship for four of the most important pagan cults of the day: Zeus, Athene, Dionysus and Asclepius. Jesus, again, calls Himself by a different name. Here He is said to have “the sharp sword with the two edges”. The sword with two edges is, of course, the Bible with the Old and New Testament. The church of Pergamos was not forgotten. Jesus recognized their faithfulness despite the satanic environment in which they lived. In the book of Revelation, Chapter 2: 12, reads as follows: Revelation 2:12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwell, even where Satan’s seat is and thou holds fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against thee because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except he that receives it."
The church member at Pergamos was not forgotten. Jesus recognized their faithfulness despite the satanic environment in which they lived. In the original Greek, the words “holdest fast” means, “to hold onto desperately with all of one’s power.” These Christians were holding onto their faith with everything they had, and Jesus commended them for their faithfulness. Nevertheless, there were some areas that needed immediate attention. The scripture states that "I know thy works and thou dwell, “Where Satan’s seat is”: The headquarters of satanic opposition and a Gentile base for false religions. On the acropolis in Pergamum was a huge, throne-shaped altar to Zeus. In addition, Asclepius, the god of healing, was the god most associated with Pergamum. His snake-like form is still the medical symbol today. The famous medical school connected to his temple mingled medicine with superstition. One prescription called for the worshipper to sleep on the temple floor, allowing snakes to crawl over his body and infuse him with their healing power.
Jesus not only knows their works, but He also knows everything about them. Judgment begins at the house of God because Jesus walks to and from checking them continually. Jesus says that He knows where they dwell. He is referring to the very evil surroundings. This was an educational center. There were great libraries and places of worldly education. This church is committing sin, compromising with the heathen around them. Many times, worldly wisdom and faithfulness to God are not cohesive. The Bible says that “The carnal mind is enmity against God” (Romans 8:7). Faith is not fact. The educated mind wants to prove by facts. Faith, I say again, FAITH is not fact: Hebrews 11:1-2 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” “For by it the elders obtained a good report.” The mind and heart, even though physically a few inches apart, are miles apart in the Spirit. There are so many ways to view these, as I have said before. For our study, we will attempt to use the problems of this church to tell us what not to do in our church today. God never changes. The things He was opposed to thousands of years ago are the very things He is opposed to today. God never changes; we change. If we are not careful, these changes will make us complacent about the sin in our life. Jesus says that He knows where they dwell. He is referring to the very evil surroundings. This was an educational center. There were great libraries and places of worldly education.
Jesus knew this church in Pergamos would have a very hard time. The evil outside the church and the compromise in the church tries to draw more of these people out of the church. Maybe they had very good intentions, but they got very bad results. Jesus goes so far as to call this evil city, “Satan’s seat”. We know by this that evil prevailed. Jesus says to this church, you have My name on your church and I also am aware you have not denied Me. Jesus even reminds them that He is aware that Antipas was martyred because of his great faith in Jesus. This Satanic influence had come against Antipas and killed him. We must realize that we must not fellowship with those of unbelief. We must witness to them, and then go home. Fellowshipping with the world brings compromise. The shame is that some of this has crept into this church, and we see the same today. Finally my friends, hold fast and don't compromise the good news of Jesus Christ our Savior. Get Right Church!
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