12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and 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 the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
Comment: Often these seven letters are sad as we read of the churches unfaithfulness to their Master. On the other hand the commendations make us thankful for the stances which they took for God! On reading the introduction which John was told to write to the Pergamum church you are startled to see thatJesus introduces Himself as the ‘Judging Christ’ when He says, ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.‘ But then follow words of commendation because of their behaviour during the persecutions which saw Antipas martyred. According to tradition Antipas, their Bishop, was martyred by being burned to death inside a hollow red-hot brass bull. He refused to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods. But then the cause of the judgement is listed. They followed the advice of Balaam. Reading the story of Balaam in Numbers 22-24 you think that Balaam was an honourable man in that he refused to curse the wandering Israelis to please Balak and his friends. But when reading on you immediately find the Israelis committing idol worship. The answer is found in Numbers 31: 16, where we read “Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD” The hypocritical prophet apparently publicly stuck to God’s message but behind the public scene offered very much anti-God advice! Some of Pergamum’s leaders were either practicing Balaam’s hypocrisy and/or the members were following the the Israelis sinful ways as described in Numbers 25.
The white stone offered to victors may be seen as an invitation to the Marriage Feast when Jesus returns or as a court statement of purity for public display!
Romans 8: 1 – There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: I am weak, but Thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong; I’ll be satisfied as long As I walk, let me walk close to Thee. Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.