Learning About Ourselves By Our Study Of The Church In Pergamon

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. 

But I have a few things against thee, because

 thou hast there them that hold the 

doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast 

a stumbling block before the children of Israel, 

to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and 

to commit fornication. So hast thou also them 

that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, 

which thing I hate.

Revelation 2:12-15 

     In these verses there are many things to consider so it will take time to do justice towards our study. Before we begin deeply let us take time to know something about Pergamon to help us understand why such things about Satan were spoken of in the letter to the Church located in Pergamon. Pergamon is located near the Agean Sea just before the Black Sea. Paul traveled through this city on his third missionary journey passing through Troas and on to Greece. Pergamon is located in Turkey in the land known as Asia Minor. Pergamon was briefly the capital of the Roman province of Asia, before the capital was transferred to Ephesus. At one point in history this city was a bustling prominent city. In this city was the Sanctuary of Ascelepius, the god of healing. I know about him not only from my studies but as a Corpsman in the Navy on my shoulder was the cadusa, two snakes wrapped around a staff the symbol of Ascelepius. In this city was a bath for healing, a sacred spring and people would come believing that Asclepius would appear in a vision to tell them how to cure their illnesses. Gifts and dedication, such as small terracotta body parts, no doubt representing what had been healed. Also another famous doctor, Galen and a personal physician of the emperor Marcus Aurelius, worked in the Asclepium. A great temple of the Egyptian gods Isis and/or Serapis was located in Pergamon. In 92 A.D. Saint Antipas, the first bishop of Pergamum who was ordained by John the Apostle, was killed in this temple and burned alive inside a Brazen Bull incense burner, which represented the bull god of Apis. Several sanctuaries were located in this city, and a shrine were the kings of Prgamon were worshipped. Also in this city was a temple of Dionysus. 

     There is much more about this city and its importance but it enough now about this city to understand that there were things occurring that needed to be addressed. As we come to know about this city, its warnings and admonitions we will grow in our faith, out dedication to Jesus adding to us assurance about out Authentic Christian Faith. 

     A two-edged sword: what is it? First, a sword is a bladed weapon that is intended to slash and to be able to be thrust. It is a weapon found in many cultures, a weapon of war, or defense, hard to defend, able to destroy the enemy. In Psalm the sword is mentioned: "Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty" (Psalm 45:3). This verse speaks of Jesus Christ and we have reference to His glory and mightiness (Isaiah 9:6). We have reference for us to know what this two-edged swords represents: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of he joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of he heart" (Hebrews 4:12). Who is the word of God? John 1:1 tells us that it is Jesus Christ, and in Hebrews we find that the two-edged sword is Jesus Christ who knows all things, is powerful and mighty and divides all things. Jesus knows your works, your thoughts, and your motives. Motives are derived from the heart so God knows your heart. The seat of Satan is often in our hearts, for he does not have a chair, a seat, an object as such for he is a spirit but he is able to lead you to have for him a place, a seat in your heart. Jesus knows where the throne of Satan is, and so you too, making you to examine all things, especially things that are spoken of by men or women in the Church for it is to those in the Church that these letters are written. Church members in that day held to the faith of Jesus Christ and did not deny the name of Jesus even when Antipas was killed, in this city were Satan has thrones, shrines, and temples, and worship of those gods of Egypt. 

     With all their faith they still had problems that needed to be addressed. I will address those problem in the next blogs but until then we must see how what has been discussed today and how it applies to us now. We live in a world of sin, a world ruled by Satan and by his influence upon those who will not accept who Jesus is and that they need a Savior. Abortion, homosexuality, lust, coveting, the need for entertainment (not speaking of moral and good entertainment) even if it is promoting those who sing, or speak evil things, and those preachers who shout and scream and teach evil practices: this is the land in which we live. It is not all that different from living in Pergamon. We need to be on guard, to have a weapon to defend ourselves and we have this two-fold: 1: Jesus Christ, the word of God who knows our plight and struggles. 2: We have the written word of God by which we can know how we are to fight this fight of faith. One does not have to look far to see that Satan has influence cultures from the beginning of the fall of Adam and Eve. Satan has a seat in this world through many who will not believe and convert to Jesus Christ. Antipas was killed, not by Christians, but by those people who believed in false gods. False gods are not just some religious god, no some are made gods due to their celebrity. 

      With your faith albeit a true faith, it may, as it was in Pergamon, have faults that must be addressed. If one is to be an Authentic Christian and ensure that Satan has not found a place to sit in your heart, your motives, your emotions, and exercise of faith, then we need to examine ourselves: (1Thessalonnians 5:21). The question: will you do it? Do you have an ear to hear? I pray that this is so!

They that sanctify themselves, 

     and purify themselves in the gardens 

behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh,

    and the abomination, and the mouse, 

shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

    For I know their works and their thoughts:

it shall come, that I will gather all nations 

     and tongues; and they shall come, 

and see my glory. 

      Isaiah 66:17-18

Do not allow Satan to have a place in you

Richard L. Crumb