The Church at Pergamos
Revelation 2
12. "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.
13 I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.
15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
Pergamos -
It's name means fortified. It was a citadel. It was the seat of Roman rule in that region (Asia Minor) for 400 years.
It's name is fitting, since the church stayed strong and true to God in the midst of much error and opposition. John calls the place Satan's seat.
The Commendation -
13 I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.
There must have been a strong cultic or Satanic movement in Pergamos. There was a Temple to Zeus and several temples to Roman emperors, but this was common in many cities. It must have been especially strong in this city for John to call it Satan's seat.
Nevertheless, the church stayed true to Christ's name. They did not renounce him even under great pressure to do so.
Notice though, he only said they were true to his name.
The Correction -
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.
15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
In spite of staying true to his name, they didn't stay true to sound doctrine and practice. He mentions two distinct teachings -
Balaam was the prophet who, for personal gain, prophesied against Israel and advised Balak to tempt Israel in order to defeat them.
Numbers 25
1. While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women,
2 who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods.
Numbers 25
3 So Israel joined in worshipping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD's anger burned against them.
Peter and Jude warned against the example of Balaam -
2 Peter 2
15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
Jude 1
11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.
Balaam set an example of compromise. He was willing to compromise spiritual principles for earthly gain.
The Nicolaitans were followers of one Nicolas who taught an unrestrained indulgence in fleshly things. These people abandoned themselves to pleasures and shameful behavior. Theirs was a compromise with society under the guise that compromise would make Christianity more palatable to the world.
This practice makes Christianity conform to the world instead of Christianity changing the world.
Interestingly, both names, Balaam and Nicolaitans, mean the same thing - 'conquerors of mankind'. Both brought people into bondage through compromise with the world and false teaching.
The warning is stern -
16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
The sword of His mouth is His Word. It is always our greatest weapon against falsehood. His Word is truth. Truth will destroy falsehood. He will fight with the sword of His mouth, or His Word.
We must be careful about compromise. Stay true to God’s Word. It is our standard.