“Pergamum or Pergamos!

  • Pergamum = height or elevation  The City was built on a hill 1000 ft high to create a natural fortress. It also had a 100 ft square Alter to Zeus seated 10,000 people in amphitheater on its side, looked like a giant throne.
  • Invented parchment and had a library of 200,000 books! Called in Greek Pergamene after the City.
  • It was the center of at least four cults including the Temple to Asclepius, who used the symbol of a snake wrapped around a pole.  People came from all over the world to receive healing from this God. Seat of Modern medicine and psychology.

 

Revelation 2:12-17

12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged (Stoma, distomos = Two Mouth) sword. (Isa. 11:1-5, Heb 4:12-13, Eph 6:17)

13 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, even in the days of Antipas, (Like the Father) my faithful witness, (Rev. 1:5, 3:14) who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives. (Acts 22:20, Mat. 16:13-17)

14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, (Balaam =Victor over people) who taught Balak (Balak =Devastator) to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. (Jude 1:11-13, Num. 31:16, Num. 25:1-9, 2Pet. 2:10-17, Acts 15:28-29, 1Cor. 10:18-31, 1Cor. 8:4-13, 1Cor. 6:13-20)

15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (Nicolaitan =Victor over people)

16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight 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 him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. (Heb 9:3-5, John 6:30-33, John 6:48-51, 1Cor. 10:2-4)  I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. (Rev. 3:5, 7:9, 19:14, 20:11, Gen. 17:5, 32:28, Isa. 62:1-4, Rev 3:12)