Revelation: At Satan's Throne

 Revelation: Justification by Faith

Where Satan Dwells

[By M.L]

Revelation 2:12-13 (ESV)
"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
13. I know where you live—where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.’"

Historically, Pergamum, like Smyrna, was known for its imperial cult, where the emperor was worshipped. In addition to this religious atmosphere, Pergamum was also a crucial center for the Roman conquest of Asia and Greece. The city remained loyal to Rome even when things appeared bleak for the empire.
Thus, Pergamum served as a seat of power for imperial Rome, and through Rome, Satan wielded considerable influence.
Pergamum felt this power and authority from Satan very close at hand, and the church felt this influence as well. Constantly under Satan’s authority, they were often subjected to extreme pressure, even to the point of martyrdom. Antipas, whom I believe to be an actual person in Pergamum, was martyred as a result of this influence.
Still, many in Pergamum clung to the name and faith of Jesus, refusing to deny Him. Jesus had given the following warning:

Matthew 10:32-33 (ESV)
"So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,
33. but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."

The book of Hebrews also gives us reasons to hold fast to the teachings of the Gospel:

Hebrews 4:14 (ESV)
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."

Hebrews 10:19-23 (ESV)
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,
20. by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,
21. and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22. let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

The awareness that we have direct access to God and that Jesus, our High Priest, stands before us should encourage us to hold fast to His name and authority.
It is the Creator Himself who stands as our High Priest, the exact imprint of His being…

Hebrews 1:2-10 (ESV)
"But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
3. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4. having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5. For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’? Or again, ‘I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son’?
6. And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God's angels worship him.’
7. Of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.’
8. But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’
10. And, ‘You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands.’"

Why would we not trust in this High Priest? How could we dare to deny His name? Pergamum held fast to this name despite opposition, martyrdom, and the direct influence of Satan.
However, as we will see, they did not remain completely pure; some in Pergamum tolerated those who began to fall away.