7 Churches of Revelation
3. Pergmaos
The Commendations
“I 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.” (Rev 2:13)
Antipas “Against All”: Simeon Metaphrastes has a legendary story that Antipas, in Domitian’s reign, was shut up in a red-hot brazen bull, and ended his life in thanksgivings and prayers. Hengstenberg makes the name symbolical, meaning one standing out “against all” for Christ.
Satan is Real
In Character: murderer (Jn 8:44); deceiver (Rev 12:9; 2 Cor 11:3); liar (Jn 8:44); sinner (1 Jn 3:8) and Domain: vast demonic kingdom (Mt 25:41; Rev 12:7); world System (1 Jn 5:19); local; not omnipresent.
Satan’s Titles
- “adversary” – 1 Tim 5:14; 1 Pet 5:8
- “accuser of the Brethren” – Rev 12:10
- “god of this world” – 2 Cor 4:4
- “prince of the power of the air” – Eph 2:2
- “the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience” – Eph 2:2
- “the enemy that sowed tares” – Mat 13:39
- “the wicked one” – 6X
Spiritual Geography
- The Locality of Satan & his demons (not omnipresent) and territorial (Dan 10; Rev 9:14; 16:12).
- The Migration: from Babylon to Pergamos to Rome.
“Holdest fast my name”: always singular; 3rd Commandment: Ambassadorship!
The Criticisms
“14 But 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. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” (Rev 2:14-15)
Balaam is discussed in Num 22 & 23. See the Exhortation section below for more details.
The Nicolaitans have become doctrine! Compare this with “the counsel of Balaam,” in Num 31:16. You can also refer to Josephus. He wrote about this in his book Antiquities [4.6.6].
The Exhortation
“16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” (Rev 2:16)
The Prophet Balaam
Balaam was a Gentile “soothsayer” (Josh 13:22) from Mesopotamia (Deut 23:4,5) by Euphrates, Aram (Num 22:5; 23:7) who was hired by Balak, King of Moab. Balaam was rebuked by his donkey (Num 22) and refused to curse Israel (Num 23, 24) but taught how to defeat Israel (Num 31:16).
- “Doctrine of Balaam” Rev 2:14 2
- Spiritually unchaste; marriage with the world.
- “Way of Balaam” Pet 2:15
- Hireling = making a “market” for his gift.
- “Error of Balaam” Jude 11
- Sacrificing eternal riches for temporal gain.
