Jesus encouraged the church at Pergamum for their faithfulness under duress. Antipas had been killed, and many still refused to deny the Name of Jesus. However, their encouragement came with a warning about those who held to the false teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. Like many, alongside truth and faithfulness, they had allowed the leaven of heresy to creep in among them. The church today must heed the same warning as those in Pergamum and repent of all that strays from the mission of the gospel.