Pergamum -
-means 'height or elevation'
-only found in Rev
-second most prominent city in Asia Minor (Mysia) behind Ephesus
-if Ephesus was seen as NYC, Pergamum would be equivalent to Wash DC since in it sat the seat of the Roman govt
-the ruins at Pergamum are known to be as stunning as Athens and Rome
-worshipped gods such as Zeus Soter, Athena, and Aesculapius
-also a center for emperor worship. Temple built for Roman emperors Augustus, and Trajan
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Pattern of How each church is spoken of: (be brief)
The message is given to the angel (messenger) of each church
A reference to Jesus is made that has been already mentioned in Rev 1; (for example: he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand) prob in relation to something regarding that particular church
A positive "validation" for their "work".
But not every church is given postive validation.
Followed by a negative citation in which the church is told to repent of.
Not every church is given a negative reference.
Each church is told "he that hath an ear to hear"...
Each church is challenged to overcome something.
If they overcome, they will receive something from Jesus, usually something found in Rev 20,21 or 22.
Rev 2:12
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword
Summary
And to the angel of the church in Pergamum…
Here is the reference to Jesus from Rev 1.
These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword
Rev 1:16b
and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword
Two edged sword?
-The word of God
Clear reference to Heb 4:12, let's look at that:
Heb 4:12
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Wonder why this verse?
Word of God is living and active?
-Alive and effectual.
-Maybe tendency over time to think it is having no effect. Esp if Satan's throne is in Pergamum.
...sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit?
-diving of soul and spirit?
-Maybe a reference to this..
1Co 15:45
So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
(piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit,) of both joints and marrow
-Marrow of the soul and spirit?
Job 21:22-25
22 Shall any teach God knowledge, Seeing he judgeth those that are high? 23 One dieth in his full strength, (SPIRIT) Being wholly at ease and quiet: 24 His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moistened. 25 And another dieth in bitterness of SOUL, And never tasteth of good.
One is the marrow of the spirit, the other one of the soul.
Marrow of the spirit is at full strength, being at ease, with the marrow of his bones being moistened...SPIRIT
Vs 25 is the other...bitterness of SOUL. Assuming that the marrow of the soul isn't moist?
Example of this:
Ezekiel 37:1-5
-Joints of the soul and spirit? ("Joints" only used once in NT)
G719 - harmos - "joint or joining"
From G716 - harma "chariot"
"war chariots"
"chariot (w horses)"
-Philip in Acts 8:26-29 (explain background)
Act 8:26-29
26 But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; 28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
-Remember the word "joints (and marrow)" in Heb 4:12 comes from the original Greek word which means "chariot".
Philip means "lover of horses"
-So the HS tells Philip (lover of horses) to join himself to "this chariot"
Significance?
Here the HS (via Philip) attaches His horse to a Ethiopian seeker
Finish Acts 8:30-39
So the HS leads the man into spiritual understanding (and baptism) via Philip (lover of horses).
But there are examples of chariots that are aren't pulled by the HS horses.
Egyptians in Exodus who chase the Israelites across the Red Sea.
Rev 9:7-10
7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for war; and upon their heads as it were crowns like unto gold, and their faces were as men's faces. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war. 10 And they have tails like unto scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months.
-Called locust in vs7. What do locust do?
-As the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war...
Heb 4:12 and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Rev 2:13
I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Know where you live
I know where Satan's throne is
-in Pergamum?
means = "height or elevation"
-The oldest part of Pergamum is the acropolis (fortified area), which is considerably higher and steeper than the acropolis of Athens.
-Zeus Soter, Athena and Aesculapius were worshipped.
-The city also had a great temple to Zeus Soter. Who is Zeus Soter?
-Savior Zeus
G4990: Saviour (24x).
saviour, deliverer, preserver
1Ti 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope;
G4991 Soteria
salvation, deliver, health, save
Act 4:12
And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.
G4982 Sozo
heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole
Peter sinking in water yelled:
Mat 14:30
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me.
Satan's throne in Pergamum?
-Pergamum means = "height or elevation"
Prob some connection:
Mat 4:8-10
8 Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Pergamum a metaphor for the world? Maybe
Pergamum: A place of special wickedness, as if Satan dwelt there. Satan is, as it were, enthroned there.
Encouraging word:
and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Antipas?
"Like the father"
Tradition?
"According to Eastern Orthodox traditions, according to the Commentary on the Apocalypse of Andreas of Caesarea, it is believed that Saint Antipas was Antipas referred to in the Book of Rev 2:13. According to Christian tradition, John the Apostle ordained Antipas as bishop of Pergamon during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero. The traditional account goes on to say Antipas was martyred during the reign of Nero (54-68), by burning in a brazen bull-shaped altar for casting out demons worshiped by the local population."
Faithful witness (martyr) (4x's)
Jesus
Rev 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;
Jesus
Rev 3:14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:
Paul says:
2Ti 2:2
And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Where Satan dwelleth…
Per Rev Angus Stewart:
"So what was it about Pergamos that indicates that Satan had his dwelling and throne there or that he was especially present and powerful there?
Pergamos served many idols, such as Zeus, Dionysius, Athene and others. It had many temples and altars. But this did not mark it out as Satan’s throne because all the pagan cities in the Roman empire at that time worshipped idols, including the other cities mentioned in Revelation 2-3.
It was the prominence of its worship of Aesculapius or Asclepius as saviour, healer and preserver that made Pergamos distinctive in this regard. Asclepius was a god of healing and health. He had an impressive temple, the ruins of which can be visited in Pergamos today. People used to sleep in that temple with the idea that Asclepius would give them a dream which would be interpreted by his priest telling them how to be healed. The spring beside the temple was said to possess healing powers. Devotees would offer sacrifices or leave gifts for healing. Small terracotta body parts to represent the injured area or limb have been found near Asclepius’ temple in Pergamos. Small wonder that Pergamos has been called the Lourdes of the ancient world.
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One animal is especially associated with Asclepius: the snake. Asclepius’ symbol is a serpent-entwined staff (still used in the medical world today). At the dedication of temples to Asclepius, snakes would be encouraged to enter the building. Doubtless, such a ceremony took place in Pergamos too. In honour of Asclepius, a particular type of non-venomous snake was often used in healing rituals. These were called “Asclepian snakes.” They slithered around freely on the floor in dormitories where the sick and injured slept.
What is the Christian analysis of all this? This is devil worship through a false god, Asclepius, symbolized by a snake. In Revelation 12:9, “the great dragon” or “the Devil” or “Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” is also called “that old serpent.” This is a reference to the devil’s use of a snake in Genesis 3 to tempt Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. Whereas death and disease came through the devil using a snake, the worshippers of Asclepius ascribed healing and preservation to the serpent.
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