While the Apostle John was imprisoned on the isle of Patmos, the ascended and glorified Christ directed him to send a series of short letters (or “postcards”) to seven churches in Asia Minor. Christ's third “postcard” (Revelation 2:12-17), written to the church at Pergamum, was addressed to a gathering of early believers who had, to that point, been steadfast in their commitment to Christ, but who at the same time were starting to show cracks of compromise. Through this letter, the Lord of the church instructs not only Pergamum — but all churches, in all places, of all generations — to hold fast to Christ, while holding firm against compromise.