Pergamum was about 55 miles northeast of Smyrna. The city was known for its library (roughly 200,000 parchments), its manufacture of parchment, a university for medical study, and as a religious center for the Greek pagan cults of Zeus, Dionysius, Athena, Asclepius, and Roman emperor worship. The church at Pergamum received both praise and rebuke.

• “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword [i.e. the authority to kill] says this: 13 ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is [θρόνος thronos – seat of sovereignty, authority, dominion]; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 ‘But I have a few things against you, because you have there some [a few believers] who hold the teaching of Balaam [who desired greed above godliness], who kept teaching Balak [the leader of Moab] to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel [to fellowship with the Moabites and be seduced by their pagan practices], to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality [πορνεύω porneuo – fornication; see Num. 25:1-2; 31:15-16]. 15 ‘Thus you also have some [a few believers] who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans [which seems to be similar to the teaching of Balaam, promoting acceptance of pagan religions]. 16 ‘Repent therefore [i.e. deal with the few who are teaching error]; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth [discipline for those rebellious believers in the church]. 17 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches [i.e. listen and comply]. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna [located in the Ark of the Covenant in heaven; Rev. 11:19], and I will give him a white stone [perhaps symbolizing acceptance by Christ], and a new name written on the stone [perhaps the name of Jesus] which no one knows but he who receives it.’" (Rev. 2:12-17)

     Jesus is identified as the One who has “the sharp two-edged sword” which means He has the authority and power to kill (Rev. 2:12). He displays omniscience when telling His church, “I know where you dwell” and identifies it as the place “where Satan’s throne” is located. (Rev. 2:13a). This could be a reference to the worship of Zeus, or perhaps emperor worship, which was prevalent in Pergamum. Though a Satanic hotspot with many imposing pressures, Jesus praises them as faithful witnesses, specifically mentioning “the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells” (Rev. 2:13b). The church at Pergamum was reprimanded for not dealing with members who accepted and promoted dangerous teachings similar to those of Balaam. Balaam was a prophet of God who was hired by Balak—the king of Moab—to curse the Israelites, but God stopped Balaam and blessed Israel instead (see Numbers 22-25). However, God’s people were defeated when the Moabites enticed them into friendly relationships that led to idolatry and sexual promiscuity (Num. 25:1-3), and this was accomplished “through the counsel of Balaam” (Num. 31:16). This social enticement that led to sin seems to be the same thing taught by the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2:14-15), and is another example of how bad associations can lead believers into sinful practices (1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Cor. 6:14-15). Jesus states He will make war with them if they do not repent of their false views and practices. Jesus promises “hidden manna” to those who overcome, which is spiritual nourishment, in contrast to the food sacrificed to idols (Rev. 2:14). “Christ is the true bread from heaven (John 6:31–33, 48–51) and that may be the idea here. Those faithful t