I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. (Revelation 2:13)
A terrible neighbor brings terrible results. Unfortunately for the first century church in Pergamum, they suffered from not only a terrible neighbor but the most diabolical of all neighbors. Jesus tells them they lived, “where Satan dwells”. Satan’s throne was firmly rooted in their neighborhood. What does a throne designate? It represents authority and power, meaning Satan had a tremendous grip on their city.
Pergamum was a center of learning and medicine, but it was also a hotbed for pagan worship. There were multiple temples dedicated to Greek gods in Pergamum, such as Zeus and Asclepios. These two mythological gods bore the title of “savior”. Even more, the city was the epicenter for imperial worship. A citizen being required to offer some yearly incense and proclaim that “Caesar is Lord.” In return, one received a certificate proving compliance. This would have horrified the Christians there, as only Jesus was worthy of worship. He being the true and only Lord and Savior.
What did these Christians do? Did they flee the city? No! They were faithful, holding fast to the Lord. They did not deny Christ or their faith in Him. In fact, at least one church member, Antipas, was martyred because of his unrelenting faith.
However, there were false teachers in the church as well, who urged the members to compromise with the pagan world surrounding them (Revelation 2:14-15). Why risk your lives or livelihood over a few words or actions? Go along to get along. Be good neighbors. But what they were really seeking was for their brethren to compromise their faith in Christ. Due to this, Jesus comes to the church with the two-edged sword, emblematic of God’s word (Hebrews 4:12). It cuts away falsehood and restores the soul. The bible anchors the believer in eternal truth. They were not to trade God’s truth for a temporal and false sense of security.
These teachers were encouraging others to partake of the food sacrificed to idols. However, Jesus promised them the food of angels, God’s manna (Psalm 78:25). They were promised temporary safety, a certificate, if they bowed down to the emperor. Jesus offered them a white stone instead. The white stone gave access to festivals and provided special privileges. However, Jesus promised them access to the ultimate feast, the “marriage supper of the lamb” (Revelation 19:9).
Which is it? Compromise now for momentary security and gain, or be faithful to Christ and partake of eternity. If you’ve compromised God’s truth, if you’ve been unfaithful to Him, there is good news for you. If you give Jesus your failure, He will give you, His success. Open your heart wide and invite Him in. For the issue is not who is living around you, but who is living in you!
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