Read & explore together
To the Church in Pergamum
In this message to the assembly in Pergamum, the speaker gives both praise and warning. He knows their difficult setting, commends their loyalty, confronts harmful teaching among some there, and calls for repentance and careful hearing.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This passage is a written message to the angel of the assembly in Pergamum. The speaker identifies himself as the one who has the sharp two-edged sword. The message moves from what the speaker knows about them, to what he has against some there, to a call to repent and a promise for the one who overcomes.
Revelation 2:12–17Main takeaway
The one who has the sharp two-edged sword knows faithful endurance, opposes teaching that leads into sin, and calls the assembly to repent and hear what the Spirit says.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The speaker and his authorityThe message begins with a command to write to Pergamum and a description of the speaker as the one who has the sharp two-edged sword.
Explanation
The message begins with a command to write to Pergamum and a description of the speaker as the one who has the sharp two-edged sword. In this passage, that image prepares us for serious words. His speech carries authority, and later he warns that the sword of his mouth will be used against those who do not repent.
02Praise for holding firmlyThe speaker says he knows their works and where they live, described here as where Satan’s throne is and where Satan dwells.
Explanation
The speaker says he knows their works and where they live, described here as where Satan’s throne is and where Satan dwells. Even there, they held firmly to his name and did not deny his faith. Antipas is named as his witness, his faithful one, who was killed among them.
03A problem among some in the assemblyThe rebuke is directed at some in Pergamum. The passage says there are some who hold the teaching of Balaam, linked here with a stumbling block before the children of Israel, eating things sacrificed to idols, and sexual immorality.
Explanation
The rebuke is directed at some in Pergamum. The passage says there are some who hold the teaching of Balaam, linked here with a stumbling block before the children of Israel, eating things sacrificed to idols, and sexual immorality. It also says some hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
04Repent, hear, and overcomeThe assembly is told to repent. If not, the speaker says he is coming quickly and will make war against them with the sword of his mouth.
Explanation
The assembly is told to repent. If not, the speaker says he is coming quickly and will make war against them with the sword of his mouth. The message ends with a call to hear what the Spirit says and with promises to the one who overcomes: hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the speaker praise the assembly in Pergamum for, even in a place described as where Satan dwells?
Look for the actions named positively: they held firmly to his name and did not deny his faith, even when Antipas was killed.
02What teachings does the speaker say some people in Pergamum were holding to?
Read carefully through the two teachings named and the behaviours connected with the teaching of Balaam in this passage.
03What are the promises given to the one who overcomes?
List each promised gift exactly as the verse gives it, without needing to explain beyond the words of the passage.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Revelation 2:12–17
12“To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: “He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:
13“I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15So also you likewise have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows but he who receives it.