✦   The Revelation of Saint John the Divine   ✦   Chapters II & III   ✦   Asia Minor, c. XCVI A.D.   ✦
Revelation ii–iii Asia Minor The Seven Congregations
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The Seven Churches
of Asia

Being a Full Account of the Seven Letters Sent by Our Lord
to the Seven Congregations of the Province of Asia Minor

Revelation II:I — III:XXII  ·  c. AD XCVI  ·  The Island of Patmos

No. III  ·  Revelation II:XII–XVII

Pergamum

The Compromising Church

Modern Bergama, Turkey  ✦  Seat of Roman Power

The Letter in Full

12And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 2:12–17  ·  King James Version Also available in the NRSVue, an ecumenical modern translation
Christ's Identity

"He which hath the sharp sword with two edges" — Christ as judge, wielding the word that discerns and divides.

Commendation

Holding fast to Christ's name even "in the days... wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr," and in a city "where Satan's seat is."

Rebuke

Tolerating those who held "the doctrine of Balaam" — leading believers into idol-feasts and fornication — and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans besides.

Exhortation

"Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."

Promise to the Overcomer

"Hidden manna," and "a white stone, and in the stone a new name written."

History & Ruins

Pergamum was the capital of the Roman province of Asia, home to a library said to rival Alexandria's, and to an immense altar to Zeus that many scholars connect with the letter's chilling phrase, "Satan's seat." Its Asclepion, a renowned healing sanctuary, drew the sick from across the empire.

The acropolis holds one of the steepest theatres of the ancient world, cut into the hillside. The great altar's frieze was removed to Berlin in the nineteenth century — now housed in the Pergamon Museum — though its foundation remains on site.

The acropolis and Asclepion are both open to visitors near Bergama.