Day 47

“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 firmly to 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.” Rev 2:12-13 NASB

The church at Pergamum (313 – 538AD) was a compromising church. This could explain the reason that Jesus approaches this church with a sharp, double-edged sword. It needs the sharp double-edged discernment that comes by the word of God. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, NIV).

The church at Pergamum seems to be the opposite of the church at Ephesus which was sound in doctrine and lacking in love. The church at Pergamum is weak in the very area that Ephesus is strong, the area of sound doctrine.

According to Jesus, Pergamum was a dangerous place for Christians to live. In some sense, Jesus considered it the dwelling place of Satan. Pergamum was probably the most impressive of the seven cities listed in this part of Revelation. Its primary ruins lie on top of a steep hill hundreds of feet above the plain. The most spectacular remaining structure is that of the amphitheatre, capable of seating some 15,000 people. The most spectacular of its many temples, the Pergamum Altar, was an incredible piece of work, exuding confidence in human genius and the overwhelming power of the religion it represented. Beholders would be attracted to the pagan religions of Rome. Compromise would have easily crept in without the believers even being aware of it.

The power of human achievement is even more impressive today. Giant skyscrapers, awesome technological advances, dazzling sports events and shows, all subtly suggest that real life is to be found in human achievement and pride. The Word of God is a sharp, two-edged sword calling this false reality the illusion that it is. After all, mighty Pergamum is largely in ruins today.