Revelation 2c Commentary
Pergamum had the misfortune of hosting satan’s throne. This could be a reference to a very high level of wickedness as a consequence of satanic activities. But it also means the city (modern-day Bergama, Turkey) hosted several idol temples. They collectively form the throne of Satan. Jesus has a name for today’s so-called “other faiths”.
“There are some among you…” The problem of some members of the Pergamum church becomes the problem of the entire church. We are all connected. It calls for brotherly love and care. Collective condemnation isn’t uncommon in scripture. The point is that the church grows together as a functional unit.
However, the “them” of verse 16 suggests selective action against the bad eggs.
Eating food sacrificed to idols was “big news”! Remember how only priests ate the bread dedicated to the LORD at the Sanctuary! In pagan temples, food was a “big-time” ritual that would include a declaration of belonging – a brotherhood meal.
Sitting above all these idol temples is satan’s throne. You want to be careful before you sign in for a meal. It could be their version of the “holy communion”!
Sex was always part of the pagan worship system. We encounter male prostitutes as we read the Old Testament. Female prostitutes were an obvious presence in these temples. It was part of satanic worship. Infiltrators sought to copy-paste this practice by sex and for sex regardless. You understand the infiltrators but we cannot understand the servants of the LORD copy-pasting this practice!
They must repent!
Jesus promises hidden manna to the overcomer! Well, just in case they feel starved!
Many potential servants of Jesus fear Jesus is a joy-killer. Reverse this statement and you have the truth. The Spirit’s fruit is love, peace, joy… Real joy! Real peace! Added to all this is hidden manna!
Idol temples have changed names; they have undergone extensive rebranding. Some of them go by the name of “alternative faith”. Others would call them “another truth path”. Of course, cults still exist for hardcore devil worshippers! They are all departments under satan’s throne! The saint is warned!
The saint maintains membership in all these churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum. We shall investigate Thyatira next. Then we can tell that this letter is also addressed to you as the first three.
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