Letters to the Church: Pergamum (The Church part 4)

Background

• Pergamum was the seat for the Roman Governor for the region. So, if Ephesus was like New York (Financial and commerce center), Pergamum would be like Washington DC (governing and legal center).

• They had the 2nd largest library at the time (Alexandria had the largest)

• In 29 AD Pergamum was the very first city to erect a temple to a Caesar (Augustus)

• Those in Pergamum also worshipped the god Asclepius, who was a healing God in the form of a serpent. They also were the center for medical practice. This God’s temple had a medical spa connected to it and a 3500-seat amphitheater for musical therapy.

o Asclepius was given the title Soter (savior)for his “healing power”. This would have put early Christians at odds with this cult claiming Jesus was the healer and savior.

• On the highest peak of the hillside around Pergamum was the temple to Zeus. It had a huge altar that looked like a throne. Smoke would rise day and night from the temple from the sacrifices being made.

• On another hilltop near Zeus’ temple was Athena’s temple the goddess of victory.

• As well there was a massive temple to the god Serapis who was also a god of healing. Today this temple is known as Red Basilica. It contained a massive 30-foot statue that the priest could make “talk” by entering the base and speaking through a pipe.

NT Wright describes the impact this environment might have had on the church in Pergamum: “Many local inhabitants in the first century must have been proud of all of this. But for the little Christian community it represented a threat- and a threat with which, it seemed, the Christians were not coping particularly well.”

All of these temples, smoke, talking idols, altars and more must have seemed overwhelming and intimidating to the believers here. It’s no wonder Jesus describes Pergamum as the place where Satan dwells. Not only was it the governing center for the imperial cult but also a major center for false worship and some of the Christians are struggling to maintain a faithful witness in this culture.

Revelation 2:12-17

Description of Jesus (v12)

Antipas the Faithful Witness (V13)

Balaam/Nicolaitans (v14, 15)

Call to Repent (v16)

Reward: Hidden manna and New name (v17)

Conclusions: How to apply this to the Church today