Letter 3:The Church of

PergamumWarriors for Truth

Impressive in its architecture

Impressive Center for Learning

Impressive Center for the Arts

“Pergamum is by far the most distinguished city in Asia.”

Pliny the Elder

First Point

Jesus commends the church which preserves its witness

in a hostile environment.

Revelation 212 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 

Jesus reveals Himself as the heavenly

warriorTwo-Edged

Broad Sword

Jesus identifies Pergamum as the center of Satan’s

Sphere of Influence.

Revelation 213 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

Throne of SatanTemple of Trajan Temple of Artemis

Temple of Dionysius

Altar of Zeus

The Altar of Zeus

The Asclepion

Temple of

Dionysus

Temple of

Athena

Temple of Trajan

Revelation 213 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

John 3:19And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

Second Point

Jesus rebukes the church that clouds its

witness by compromise.

Revelation 214 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.

Revelation 215 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Third PointJesus reminds the church that only those who overcome evil will receive heavenly distinction and share in heavenly reward.

Revelation 216 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Revelation 217 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.