Sep 25, Pergamum

This was our last touring day in Turkey. Tomorrow, we will cross the border and travel into GREECE.  Our last church of the 7 churches of Revelation that we visited was Pergamum (in Revelations 2).

Here is where ancient Pergamum is (blue dot).  It is located next to the modern city called Bergama. 

Ancient Pergamum is a citadel that sits on a hill.  In others, it is an "acropolis".

These are the remains of a huge temple dedicated to the Roman Emperor Trajan.  

David Philpot, Dunwoody UMC, Atlanta, GA:

A view from atop  of the Acropolis Pergamum:

It was a spectacular view:

Pergamum was a citadel on a hill (acropolis) and was also used as a storage place for money and gold. The townspeople lived at the base of the hill while going to work on the hill.  It is as if the community of people were at the footstool of the throne of their stored wealth and pagan temple worship.  We learned a new metaphor of "the footstool".   In Judaism, being at the footstool meant you under the authority or dominion or control of whoever sat in the throne.  God, whose throne is heaven, sits with the earth as His footstool.  Now listen to Revelation 2:

“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 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, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. (‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭12-17‬ NIV)

The followers of the Way in Pergamum were commended for remaining true to their belief under some persecution.  But, some were living as if they could have it both ways, in other words living under two masters.  To those who are "victorious" (or conquerors who never give up in their faith, living under the true master), I will give you the hidden manna (true life, Me, Jesus) in while you are living on this earth.  And your white stone with a new name (your new identity) is permanent...forever!  But...you gotta repennnnt.   So, don't give up!

Ying