“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword” (Revelation 2:12 ESV).
A sword is often used as a Biblical symbol for judgment, power, or enforcement (see Psalm 22:20 and Romans 13:3-4). Knowing this, we can make good sense of this passage if we associate Jesus’ words with the power of a sharp, double-edged sword. Hebrews 4:12 serves to clarify this idea when it tells us, “…the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (NIV).
Thus, we can say that Jesus impresses an important need upon His readers at the start of this letter: they must pay close attention to what He is about to say.
“I know where you dwell, 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” (Revelation 2:13).
According to Jesus’ statement in this passage, the city of Pergamum served as Satan’s base of operations during this period. In fact, a look at the NIV translation of this verse (as well as the original language) reveals that Jesus actually says this twice: “I know where you live… where Satan has his throne… Antipas, my faithful witness… was put to death in your city- where Satan lives.”
In considering this reference, it’s important to remember the pagan religious practices that were prevalent in Pergamum during that period. Whenever a collective group of individuals worship anyone or anything other than the one true God, they engage in practices that are rooted in satanic influences. For instance, consider the following passages from the Old and New Testaments…
“They served their idols, Which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons And their daughters to demons” (Psalm 106:36-37).
“Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons” (1 Corinthians 10:20).
The concentration of false religious worship in Pergamum may have been so high that satanic activity was at its very core. So, according to Jesus, the church in Pergamum coexisted in the same town where humanity’s greatest spiritual enemy had established a command post. That’s what the Christians in Pergamum were up against, and Jesus commended them for their loyalty to Him.