In the divine evaluation of the seven churches, the church in Pergamos receives both commendation and criticism from Jesus Christ, who describes Himself as He who has the sharp two-edged sword, signifying His role as Judge over the church. He praises the Pergamenes for holding fast to His name and not denying His faith under difficult circumstances, including persecution and satanic influence, noting that Pergamos lies where satan's throne is and where satan dwells, a place marked by pride and self-exaltation. Despite their faithfulness amidst great temptations, He criticizes them for tolerating the doctrine of Balaam, which involves spiritual idolatry and fornication, diverting devotion from God through entanglement with pagan culture. Additionally, some in Pergamos hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, a belief that disregards sinful physical behaviors as inconsequential to spirituality, leading to fleshly sins and spiritual disloyalty, which Christ hates and urgently commands them to repent of, threatening punishment with the sword of His mouth if they fail to do so. To those who repent, He promises the hidden manna, a white stone signifying divine forgiveness, and a new name reflecting holy character, gifts that signify their spiritual sustenance and innocence before God.

The church of Pergamos, also known as Pergamum or Pergamon, now modern Bergama, is presented as a mixed bag, much like Ephesus, receiving both praise and admonition from Christ. Located over 50 miles north of Smyrna and 16 miles inland in the region of Mysia in northern Asia Minor, Pergamos was a significant city with a population estimated between 120,000 and 200,000 during the first and second centuries. It was not a coastal trading hub due to its smaller rivers, the Salinas and Katyas, which limited navigation to small craft. However, Pergamos held prominence as a longtime seat of Roman government in Asia, competing with Ephesus and Smyrna for this honor. The city's name derives from a conical mountain, rising 1,099 feet, which looms over the lower parts and resembles a throne when viewed from the south. This natural defensive formation housed the earliest structures and fortifications. Atop this citadel, King Eumenes II built a massive 100-foot by 100-foot altar to Zeus, possibly also dedicated to Athena, which might be referenced by Christ as the place where satan's throne is. Pergamos was a center of pagan worship with temples to Athena, Dionysus, Hera, Demeter, Persephone, Isis, and Serapis, alongside a spa and temple to Asclepius, the god of healing, attracting people empire-wide for purification and dream-induced cures. The city's iconography heavily featured snakes, associated with its patron gods and possibly contributing to its designation as where satan dwells. Under Caesar Augustus, Pergamos became the first city in Asia to establish the Imperial cult, earning the honor of Neocorate, or temple warden, three times—under Augustus, Trajan in AD 113, and Caracalla in the early third century. This reflected the city's extreme loyalty to Rome, making it essential for citizens to sacrifice at temples to Roma and the emperor. Refusal, as by Christians, led to charges of atheism—denial of other gods—and accusations of disloyalty or hatred of mankind, risking severe repercussions. The fanatical pagan society pressured Christians daily, with refusal to participate in pagan feasts resulting in social ostracism, loss of jobs, or businesses. Unlike Smyrna, Pergamos had few Jews, sparing Christians significant Jewish persecution, though the overwhelming pagan influence remained a constant challenge. Christ addresses the church in Pergamos with a stern warning, standing over them as a threatening judge with a sharp two-edged sword, symbolizing His power and readiness to separate the faithful from the unfaithful. He acknowledges their dwelling where satan rules, commending them for clinging to His name and not denying the faith, even amidst persecution, as exemplified by Antipas, His faithful witness who endured to death. Yet, He has several grievances against them, labeling them cultural compromisers for tolerating corrupt influences from the surrounding satanic society, which was wearing them down and leading to compromise. Christ warns of false teachings akin to Balaam and Nicolaitanism, both leading to disobedience and apostasy, urging immediate repentance with a sharp command to avoid His swift judgment. He promises severe consequences for those who persist in compromise, shifting from addressing them as His people to categorizing the unrepentant as enemies. To those who overcome, He offers hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name—symbols of eternal life, grace, acquittal, righteousness, and intimate fellowship with Him in the Kingdom of God. The message to Pergamos underscores that compromise is a deadly path, and they must hold fast to His revealed character and faith to endure faithfully to the end.