The letter to Pergamos, as found in Revelation 2:12-17, presents a divine evaluation of the church in that city, portraying them as cultural compromisers amidst a deeply pagan society. Pergamos, also known as Pergamon or Pergamum, was a significant city of 120,000 to 200,000 people, located over 50 miles north of Smyrna, 16 miles inland on the north edge of the Kikuyus plain in Mysia, northern Asia Minor. Unlike coastal cities, it was not a major trading hub due to its smaller rivers, but it held prominence as a longtime seat of Roman government in Asia, often vying with Ephesus and Smyrna for this honor. The city's name derives from a conical mountain, rising 1,099 feet, resembling a throne from the south, which may relate to Christ's reference to it as the place where satan's throne is. This church is a mixed bag, receiving both praise and admonition from Christ. He commends them for clinging to His name and not denying the faith, even under persecution, as exemplified by Antipas, His faithful witness who endured to the end, likely as a martyr. However, Christ has a few things against them, noting their compromise with the surrounding corrupt, satanic society that wears them down. They tolerate false teachings akin to those of Balaam, who deceived for profit, and the Nicolaitans, whose doctrines lead to disobedience through either asceticism or licentiousness. Christ warns them sternly with the image of a two-edged sword, symbolizing His judgment and wrath, urging them to repent swiftly or face His coming quickly to fight against the compromisers, casting them out as enemies. The city itself was a center of pagan worship, featuring temples to Zeus, Athena, Dionysus, Hera, Demeter, Persephone, Isis, and Serapis, alongside a massive altar to Zeus atop the citadel, possibly linked to the throne of satan. Pergamos was also a hub for the Imperial cult, honored three times as temple warden under Caesar Augustus, Trajan, and Caracalla, reflecting its extreme loyalty to Rome. This environment pressured Christians daily to conform through sacrifices to the emperor, risking charges of atheism—denial of other gods—and being labeled disloyal or haters of mankind if they refused. Such refusal could lead to social ostracism, loss of jobs, or businesses, intensifying the cultural and economic pressures to compromise. Christ promises three rewards to those who overcome: hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name. The hidden manna suggests union with Christ, possibly linked to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and beneficent judgment under God's throne. The white stone implies acquittal from guilt and an invitation to fellowship with Christ, symbolizing righteousness and victory. The new name represents genuine membership in the Kingdom of God, marking an intimate relationship with Him, known only to those within His fold. Through this letter, Christ emphasizes the deadly peril of compromise, urging the Pergamenes to hold fast to His revealed character and faith, enduring faithfully to avoid the second death under the sword of His Word.

In the letter to the church at Pergamos, as found in Revelation 2, Christ addresses a congregation situated in a challenging environment where satan exerts significant influence, described as the place where satan's throne is and where satan dwells. Despite this, the Pergamenes have held fast to their faith, even amidst persecution. However, Christ points out that they are allowing external influences to infiltrate their beliefs, particularly through doctrines associated with Balaam and the Nicolaitan heresy. These false teachings compromise God's law and are designed to ensnare God's people into sins, notably idolatry and sexual immorality. Such compromises make it easier for them to coexist with the worldly society around them in Pergamos. Christ warns that these sins, especially idolatry, are primary issues that can lead to severe consequences, mirroring the unrepentant attitudes seen in later descriptions of those facing God's wrath. He urges the Pergamenes to repent promptly, to prevent these corrupting influences from becoming more entrenched within the church, emphasizing the need to address these issues before they grow and fester, potentially leading to dire spiritual outcomes.

The letter to Pergamos, as part of the series on the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, underscores the reality of the church as a central theme. Jesus Christ places significant emphasis on the church in these letters, addressing each message to the angel of the church in a specific city and concluding with an exhortation to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. This dual reference highlights both the individual congregations and the universal body of believers. The church is very much on His mind, reflecting His desire to communicate vital truths about its nature and challenges. This focus aligns with the theme of Pentecost, marking the church's beginning, and emphasizes the importance of understanding what He intends for His called-out ones, the ecclesia, in facing both internal and external struggles.

In the letter to Pergamos, the faithful are promised hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name, symbolizing eternal life with God and various blessings denied to them as citizens of Pergamos due to their faith. In Pergamos, participation in guild feasts and activities tied to Greek and Roman gods was often required for societal benefits, but such involvement compromised their beliefs. Some within the church began to yield to these pressures to secure work and support, risking their spiritual integrity. Jesus assures them that if they remain faithful and overcome, He will provide far greater rewards than those they forfeited in Pergamos. Hidden manna may signify a special provision, surpassing the feasts they denied themselves. The white stone could represent unique admission into God's Family, contrasting with the exclusion they faced from prominent events in Pergamos. The new name might symbolize a sterling reputation, unlike the disdain they endured as Christians who abstained from city activities. A significant challenge for the Pergamenes to overcome appears to be envy of their fellow citizens and the feeling of being short-changed in life, to which Jesus responds with the promise of abundant blessings if they persevere.

The letter to Pergamos, as found in Revelation, carries a tone of serious admonition from Jesus Christ, who presents Himself with divine authority. He addresses the church with a sharp, two-edged sword, symbolizing His piercing judgment and ability to discern the deepest thoughts and intents of the heart. He commends the faithful in Pergamos for holding fast to His name and not denying their faith, even amidst great external pressures in a city where satan's influence is strong. However, He rebukes the church for tolerating those who hold to teachings that lead to compromise with worldly practices. Specifically, He points out their allowance of doctrines that encourage eating things sacrificed to idols and committing sexual immorality, reflecting a dangerous blend of truth with error. These sins, pressured from outside the church, threaten to defile their relationship with Him. Jesus Christ calls for immediate repentance, warning that failure to do so will result in His swift judgment. He urges the faithful to remain steadfast and not to compromise, promising the overcomers hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name as tokens of intimate fellowship with Him. His message is clear: they must reject the temptations of the world and endure in faithfulness to receive His eternal rewards.