Written by Paul J Bucknell on July, 24, 2024

Revelation 2:12-17 Pergamum, The Compromising Church with Questions

Introduction to Seven Churches and Pergamum

The city of Pergamum is one of the seven cities that the Lord specifically addressed in the Bible, clearly identifying its problems and the path to improvement and gaining reward. Each church mentioned in the Bible provides unique insights into the problems that our churches and people might face. Pergamum challenges us to remain faithful to the Lord despite the threats, avoid compromise, and maintain purity in our relationship with the Lord.

These examples give us much insight into the Lord’s expectations, delights, and ways to resolve our problems. Ultimately, we are not discouraged, for the Lord gives each church steps to become filled with His power. The Lord did not first assess how many people attended the services or what the band sounded like but evaluated His people's hearts and minds at any church.

#1 Ephesus: The Loveless Church (Rev. 2:1-7)

#2 Smyrna: The Persecuted Church (Rev. 2:8-11)

#3 Pergamum: The Compromising Church (Rev 2:12-17)

#4 Thyatira: The Corrupt Church (Rev. 2:18-29)

#5 Sardis: The Dead Church (Rev. 3:1-6)

#6 Philadelphia: The Faithful Church (Rev. 3:7-13)

#7 Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church (Rev. 3:14-22)

The Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

¹² And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:  ¹³ ‘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.  ¹⁴ ‘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.  ¹⁵ ‘Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

 ¹⁶ ‘Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.  ¹⁷ ‘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’ (Rev 2:12-17, NASB).

Three Characteristics of Pergamum

Attentive (Rev 2:12)

Christ holds God’s Word, the two-edged sword (also a symbol of the Roman proconsul). Due to their allegiance, the head of Pergamum was given even more freedom than Ephesus, the free city where they could hold self-elections. They had the power of the sword, where the leader could exercise death by the sword. Jesus claimed to have that ultimate authority.

“The One who has the sharp 
two-edged sword” (Rev 2:12).

Pergamum was “the greatest city in Asia Minor” and had the first temple dedicated to Caesar, a strong promoter of the imperial cult. It was the capital of the Roman Empire in Asia (Minor) and the temple to Aesculapius, the god of healing (entwined serpent).

Affirmation (Rev 2:13)

Steadfast to Christ’s name even where Satan dwells. Refused to drop incense on the altar and say,  “Caesar is Lord.” 

‘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.’  

Satan’s throne evidently referred to the Roman empire’s major capital in Asia (Minor), now Turkey. 

• God appoints governments as heads of nations to be responsible before Him.
• Governments must carry out justice to protect the people responsibly.
• Power and authority are for others, not for self-indulgence and worship.

Assessment (Rev 2:14-15)

¹⁴ ‘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.  ¹⁵ ‘Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Some hold to the teaching of Balaam (Numbers 22-25).  Some hold to the teaching of Nicolaitans (lit, rule the people); some say they distinguished between clergy and laity. A group within the church said there was nothing wrong with being friendly with Rome; there was no problem with a little incense. Antipas refused to compromise and was martyred, but others wanted to take it easy.

“Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate” (Rev 2:6.

Revelation 2:12-17 Study Questions

Undisciplined churches need unwavering boldness to declare and live out God’s Word!

¹² And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:  ¹³ ‘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.  ¹⁴ ‘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.  ¹⁵ ‘Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

 ¹⁶ ‘Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.  ¹⁷ ‘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’ (Rev 2:12-17, NASB).

Study Questions

1. What number of churches is Pergamum in the list of seven (Rev 2:1-17)?
2. How did the Lord describe Himself in verse 12 as He introduced Himself to the Pergamum church (12)? What does this reference refer to? (One might need to hear the message to note the key historical aspect of this answer.)
3. What are some key facts about Pergamum’s history? (Either search or gain this information from the message.)
4. What aspect(s) of Pergamum did Jesus mention in verse 13?
5. How did Jesus describe Antipas the martyr (13)? What is significant about these comments? 
6. Bishop Antipas’ martyrdom was powerful. (Either search for it or listen to it from the message and note down key aspects of it).
7. Antipas could have escaped execution by offering wine and incense to a Roman emperor god and naming it Lord. Should he have done this? Why or why not?
8. Jesus also identifies the problem of compromise at the church at Pergamum. What signs of compromise are found in verses 14-15?
9. Refer back to the story of Balak employing Balaam. Who were both of them? What was Balak trying to do, and what was his strategy? Were they successful? Why or why not?
10. In what ways did false teachings go against the Lord’s Word?
11. What is syncretism, and why is it essential to keep it out of the church?
12. What teachings today do compromising churches make today?