DIAGNOSIS OF THE PERGAMOS CHURCH

The Diagnosis of the Church at Pergamos

It will be seen that the diagnosis is twofold. There is both commendation and condemnation.

The Commendation of the Church

This church had established permanent dwelling in the presence of Satanic forces.

"Thy works" does not appear in the better texts and probably crept in through some careless copyist.

"I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is," This appears to be commendation. But it suggests that these people have settled down. It is possible that they intend to make this a permanent home. Perhaps this is evidence that they have lost sight of the imminent return of the Lord and are therefore planning for a continuing city right here. At least this was true doctrinally during the Pergamos period (300-500). For it was during that period that the doctrine that the church is the kingdom was set forth by Augustine.

However, this still may be commendation in the light of the fact that Satan's forces (his throne) is here, and they do not intend to be moved merely by the presence of his forces. Paganism was rampant every­where in this city, with its many deities, immoral worship, and persecution of Christianity. But these Christians were not to be moved.

This Church was Generally Devoted to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

"And thou holdest fast my name,"

The word for "holdest fast" is exactly the same word as in 2:1 describing Christ holding the seven stars. This indicates a grip upon the name of Christ that is for the purpose of mastery or control. Since the word "name" stands for the person of Christ Himself, this indicates that this church is devoted to Him. Even though the church has made official union with the world, personally these people are holding on to Christ. They are not turning their hearts to pagan deities, not even to Satan, though his throne and forces are in the midst.

This is certainly the characteristic of that period from 300-500 A.D. Though the church was joined to the state, the true church as a whole was making a noble stand to hold on to Christ. Men like Augustine, Jerome, Athanasius, and the Councils of Nicea and Chalcedon are evidences.

This Church was Staunchly Defending the Faith Once for All Delivered to the Saints

"And hast not denied my faith."

With the infiltration of paganism into the church, there were subtle attempts to change the doctrine. Unitarianism was here making inroads. But this local church stood for the truth about Christ.

During the period 300-500 there were numerous attempts to water down the truth about Christ. It was these attempts that made the Councils of Nicea and Chalcedon so important. Arius was the great leader, though he was merely the spokesman for the movement of Gnosticism that had been growing for several centuries.
GNOSTICISM (Gnahs' tih kihsm) Modern designation for certain religious and philosophical perspectives that existed prior to the establishment of Christianity and for the specific systems of belief, characterized by these ideas, which emerged in the second century and later. The term "gnosticism" is derived from the Greek word gnosis (knowledge) because secret knowledge was so crucial a doctrine in Gnosticism.

This Church was Courageously Standing in the Face of Threatening and Persecution

"Even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth."

The statement suggests that close alliance with the world did not remove persecution entirely. When God's people did not bow to favor of the world, its fury was often turned upon them. By one or the other of these methods, the world was determined to get rid of the Faith. Of course this ultimately stemmed from Satan. He was dwelling there and he hates the truth and will not tolerate it. By one method or the other he will finally dispose of it, as he proceeds in all the countries of this world today, removing Christ and His word from the conversation.

But there were some in that church such as Antipas who were determined to hold and bear testimony to the truth even to the point of death. Antipas was a faithful witness to Christ. This meant he first had experienced the truth in salvation and therefore bore testimony to it. He was to Christ what Christ was to the Father, and with the same result: death (cf. 1:5).
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood."