Revelation 2:12-17 Message to Pergamum

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; 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. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’

Pergamum, a city of the Roman province of Asia, in the west of what is now Asiatic Turkey, occupied a commanding position near the seaward end of the broad valley of the Caius. It was probably the site of a settlement from a very early date. Pergamum was one of the most prominent cities of Asia, located in the western part of Asia-Minor, about 45 miles north of Smyrna and about 20 miles from the Aegean Sea. The modern village of Bergama, Turkey, now covers part of the ancient site. Pergamum was very wealthy, the center of emperor worship with many temples devoted to idolatry. This was the place 'where Satan's throne is.' It marked a crisis for the church in Asia. Antipas who is called, "My witness, My faithful one, is probably cited as a representative (probably the first to be put to death by the Roman state) of those who were brought to judgment and executed for their faith.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, in my area of the world, men and women are not longer put to death for their faith, but we have a new kind of killer. This one rationalizes all things by saying what is right for you is fine and I have my own things that are right for me. This is universalism where there is no absolute truth and you stand for absolute truth. I kills far more people because people get the impression that there will be no heaven or hell or repercussion for error. Awaken us to the fact that all men will be judged and cause revival in this place! In Jesus name I pray Amen.