Chapter NIne/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, now called Bergama.  The city was renowned 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 given 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 practice 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)  The profusion of idolatry  in Pergamum asserted in that city.   How angry Satan must have felt that the Christians there did not bow to  him in nationalistic worship!

Yes, "the throne of Satan" is right there in Pergamum. "And yet," Jesus continues, "You keep  on holding fast my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas, my witness, the faithful one, who was killed by your side, where Satan is dwelling."  (Revelation 2:13b)  What soul-stirring commendation! No doubt the martyrdom of Antipas resulted from his refusal to go along with demonistic practices and the worship of the Roman emperor. Not long after John received this prophecy, Pliny the Younger, personal legate to Emperor Trajan of Rome, wrote Trajan and explained his procedure for handling persons accused of being Christians-a procedure that the Emperor approved .  Those who denied being Christians were released when, as Pliny said "they had repeated after me an invocation to the gods, offered incense and wine to your  [Trajan's ] image . . . And, in addition, cursed Christ."  Any found to be Christians were executed. Even though faced by such danger, the Christians in Pergamum did not deny their faith.  They 'held fast to Jesus' name' in that they continued to honor his high position as Jehovah's Vindicator and appointed Judge. Loyally, they followed in Jesus' footsteps as Kingdom witnesses.  

Next time: Chapter Nine/Continue Holding Fast to Jesus' Name

From the book of Revelation