The Message to the Church at Pergamos

Revelation 2:12-17

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.” (Revelation 2:12-13)

This church is clearly one of God’s churches, but to them, Christ portrays himself, not as the loving head of the church, or as the risen savior, but as the avenging judge. At first glance it seems like a great church, serving God and staying faithful when surrounded by satanic influences, even martyrdom of some of their people. Unfortunately there are some things going on that are not right, even in this church..

“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.” (Revelation 2:14)

Most people who go to church are familiar with the story of Balaam and his donkey from Numbers 22-24. Balaam wanted fame and fortune, that Balak offered. In his effort to obtain them, Balaam tried to convince God to change his mind. As a result, God told him he could go if they came for him. Balaam didn’t wait, he went and told them he could go. It angered God, and only his Donkey’s alertness saved him. Numbers 31:16 describes the results of his sin. “Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.” Though he was a prophet of God, he was destroyed along with the other Midianites in Numbers 31:8.

Some in the church a Pergamos were focusing on their own desires to the exclusion of God’s and were causing others to sin. They are described in James 1:10-11. “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.”

They have begun to take positions for or against things without verifying that it is actually what God says. II Peter 2:12-17 expands on James’ statement, while I Timothy 1: 7 describes them as “Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” I Timothy 4:1-3 warns that some of them are turning from the faith after other things. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”

Romans 14 deals with a couple of the issues that arise with such people. Verses 1-5 stress that each person is responsible for deciding for himself on such issues. “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

Judgement for such things is God’s business, not ours. By judging wrongly we can cause others to stumble in their Christian walk. Romans 14:13-14 instructs us, “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”

Colossians 2:16-17 says we are not to allow others to impose such standards. “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” They fail to distinguish what is important and what is not. Their goal is not the edification of the church, but gaining some benefit for themselves, according to Galatians 4:17. “They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.”

The second problem in the church at Pergamos illustrates the first one. Unlike the church at Epehesus, who hated the actions of the Nicolaitanes, some in Pergamos were adopting it as doctrine, despite God’s repeated statements of his hatred for it. “So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate,” (Revelation 2:15) Like Balaam, they select a passage like Judges 17:6, or Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes,” to prove the need for a strong leader.

They ignore I Samuel 12:17-18, which rebukes them for wanting one, or Mark 10:42-44, which forbids the practice in the church. “But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” God’s plan, for Israel, and for the church, is of personal responsibility, and he hates any attempt to change it


Judgement and destruction will come on the church which continues to allow such. Revelation 2:16 warns, “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” It is impossible to win that fight. The practices and doctrines need immediate correction.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (Revelation 2:17)

This is the third time God stresses the importance of these messages. Success in not falling for Satan’s tricks will enable us to experience God’s feeding us spiritually, and in personal identification as his child. The description is almost like having your own PIN number to get access to your account at the bank. It is reserved for you alone.