Holding Fast To Jesus' Name

Traveling 50 miles north up the coastal road from Smyrna and then 15 miles inland through the Caicus River valley, we come to Pergamum, n ow called Bergama. The city was renown for its temple of Zeus, or Jupiter. In the 1800's archaeologists transported the altar of that temple to Germany, where it may still be viewed, along with many statues and reliefs of pagan gods, at the Pergamon Museum in East Berlin. What message would the Lord Jesus send to the congregation living amid all that idolatry?

First Jesus establishes his identity, saying: " And to the angel of the congregation in Pergamum write: These are the things that he says who has the sharp, long two-edged sword." (Revelation 2:12) Jesus here repeats the description of him at Revelation 1:16. As Judge and Executioner, he will strike down those who persecute his disciples. How comforting that assurance! Regarding judgment, however, let those within the congregation also be warned that Jehovah, acting through this "messenger of the covenant," Jesus Christ, "will become a speedy witness" against all professing Christians who practicing idolatry, immorality, lying and dishonesty and who fail to care for the needy. (Malachi 3:1, 5; Hebrews 13:1-3) The counsel and reproof that God causes Jesus to give must be heeded!

Jesus now tells the congregation: "I know where you are dwelling, that is, where the throne of Satan is." (Revelation 2:13a) Truly, those Christians were surrounded by satanic worship. In addition to the temple of Zeus, there was a shrine to Aesculapius the god of healing. Pergamum was also renowned as a center for the cult of emperor worship. The Hebrew word translated
"Satan" means "Resister,"and his "throne" represents his world rulership as divinely permitted for a season. (Job 1:6, New World Translation Reference Bible, footnote) The profusion of idolatry in Pergamum showed that Satan's "throne" was firmly asserted in that city. How angry Satan must have felt that the Christians there did not bow to him in nationalistic worship!

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