Pergamum, a church that remained true to the faith despite living "where Satan's throne is" (Revelation 2:13), yet faced significant challenges. As Jesus commended them, "You hold fast to my name, and did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells" (Revelation 2:13). However, the church also received a stern warning for tolerating false teachings.
The Lord rebuked them saying, "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality" (Revelation 2:14). Additionally, they harbored "those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate" (Revelation 2:15).
This historical account serves as a powerful call for discernment and the courage to uphold truth in our modern world, which is equally rife with deception and moral relativism. As Paul warned Timothy, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers" (2 Timothy 4:3). The challenge remains: offering unchanging truth in a world that increasingly prioritizes convenience over conviction.
graph TD
A[Wheat, law of Israel] -->|Rev 2:12 - Pergamon| Pergamon
B[Scientific Name: Triticum aestivum]
A --> B
Scientific name: Triticum aestivum.
Wheat Kernel and the Law of Israel
Pergamon, the third of seven communities mentioned in Rev 2-3, whose guardian angel Entolas stood against doctrinal errors, exemplified steadfast faith in challenging times. As Scripture records in Revelation 2:13, "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."The church's commitment to recover stability and maintain orthodoxy through preserving inerrancy reflects the wisdom of Psalm 119:160: "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever." Without this foundation, indeed "the people perish" (Prov 29:18), but blessed is he who keeps the law.This aligns with the mandate in Malachi 4:4 to "remember the law of Moses", which finds its fulfillment in Christ's words: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17). The church at Pergamon teaches us about standing firm in doctrine, as Paul exhorted in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."