To the church in Pergamos
“The words uttered where not alone for John on the Isle of Patmos, they were not for the churches alone, but through these churches was to come the inspired message for the people, to have its powerful impression in every age to the close of this earth´s history.”[1]
“The application of the various messages to the seven churches to seven consecutive periods of church history naturally suggests the utility of a series of transition dates to facilitate the coordination of the several messages with their respective historical periods.”[2]
The historical period for the Pergamos church was from 325-538. The Pergamos period was a time of compromise, apostacy, and popularity, the time during which the Church of Rome was consolidating its power and authority.[3]
This period covered the disposition of the last Roman emperor in 476. The conversion in 496 of the Frankish king Clovis, the first Germanic ruler to embrace Roman Christianity and to ally himself with the interests of the church in Rome.
Rev 2:12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, “These things says the One having the sharp double-edged sword.”
Who is the One with the sharp double-edged sword?
Rev 1:16. (Refers to Christ Rev 1:13). He had in his hand seven stars, out of his mouth went a sharp double-edged sword – – -. The sword from Christ´s mouth represents the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17.
Rev 2:13. I know your works and where you are dwelling, where Satan´s throne is. And you hold fast to my name and you did not deny My faith in the days in which Antipas was my faithful witness who was killed among you where Satan dwells.
Where is Satan´s throne?
There is no explicit text in the Bible that states where Satan´s throne is. However, Ellen G. White in her writings gives us a clue into where Satan has his throne on this earth.
“When Adam sinned, man broke away from the heaven-ordained center. A demon became the central power in the world. Where God`s throne should have been, Satan placed his throne. The world laid its homage, as a willing offering, at the feet of the enemy.”[4]
“This is the remedy for sin. Christ says: “Where Satan has set his throne, there shall stand My cross. Satan shall be cast out, and I will be lifted up to draw all men unto Me. I will become the center of the redeemed world.”[5]
“The apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Thessalonians, foretold the great apostacy which would result in the establishment of the papal power. – – -` 2 Thessalonians 2:3.4. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.` Even at that early date he saw, creeping into the Church, errors that would prepare the way for the development of the papacy.”[6]
“This compromise between paganism and Christianity resulted in the development of the man of sin foretold as opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan´s power – a monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will.”[7] Rev 12:9. 13:1-10. Dan 7:24.25. 8:13.14. 23-26.
“Antipas was my faithful witness who was killed among you where Satan dwells.”
There is no indication to who Antipas is in the Bible, therefore, he would represent all those Christians who suffered martyrdom for their faith in the Bible especially during the Middle ages when the papacy killed over 50 million Roman Catholic members of the church.
Rev 2:14. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some holding to the teaching of Balaam who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, both to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication.
These two practices here mentioned in this text had been expressly prohibited by the council at Jerusalem in Acts 15:29. Balaam influenced Israel to commit `whoredom with the daughters of Moab, `to sacrifice to Moabite gods, and to eat, presumably of the meat sacrificed to these gods. Num 25:1.2. 31:16.
Rev 2:15. Thus you also have some holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans which I hate.
The teaching of the Nicolaitans is named in Rev 2:8 and a full explanation is given to their teaching. E.g. The gospel of Christ has made the law of God of no effect.
Rev 2:16. Repent therefore, but if not, I am coming to you swiftly, and I will make war with them with the sword of my mouth.
When does Christ make war with the unrepentant sinner?
Rev 19:15.21. (This is at the Second Coming of Christ). Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should strike the nations. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of him who sat on the horse.
This is happens at the culmination of the battle of Armageddon described in Rev 16:12-16. Rev 17:7-16.
Rev 2:17. The one having an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one overcoming I will give to him of the hidden manna. And I will give to him a white pebble and on the pebble a new name having been written, which no one knows except the one receiving it.
What is this hidden manna?
Exodus 16:14.15. And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground. So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.”
Exodus 16:31. And the house of Israel called its name Manna (which the word means, What?). And it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
Exodus 16:35. And the children ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land, they ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
Psalm 78:24.25. Had rained down manna on them to eat, and given them of the bread of heaven. Men ate angels food – – -.
Joshua 5:12The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land – – – Canaan.
Hebrews 9:4. (Second apartment of the sanctuary). Which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna.
Conclusion
Manna was bread which the Lord had given the Israelites to eat. The taste of it was like wafers made with honey. It was bread from heaven. Manna is angel´s food.
Rev 2:17. And I will give to him a white pebble and on the pebble a new name having been written, which no one knows except the one receiving it.
A white pebble is not found anywhere in the Bible, only in this text.
What does a new name mean given by Christ?
The Hebrews attached great significance to personal names. Their names had a literal meaning sometimes symbolic of the character and personality of the one it designated, and sometimes reflecting the moods or feelings of the one given the name. When it was necessary to distinguish between two persons with the same name, an epithet (a descriptive name) was added. For example: Saul of Tarsus, Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus of Nazareth etc. Some had their names changed like Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, and Hoshea to Joshua. Gen 17:5. Gen 32:28. Num 13:16.
Perhaps the most popular type of name among the Israelites was one that contained some reference to the true God. Such a name was often a pious declaration of faith. For example: Elijah-Yahweh is my God, Nathanael-God has given, Berachiah- God has blessed, Immanuel-God with us.
Other names were used to express the parents political and social experience at the time of the birth. Other times names designate the character of the person. Ichabod: the glory is departed. Caleb: dog. Nathan: God has given. Tabitha: gazelle.
Conclusion
A name would be related to God and one´s character developed her on earth.
Endnotes
[1] Ellen G. White, Ellen G. White Diary 1888, 779.3 (Washington D.C.: December 27, 1890).
[2] Francis D. Nichol, Edit., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7 (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald Pub., Assoc., 1957), 752.
[3] Ibid., 753.
[4] Ellen G. White, The Testimonies for the Church Vol. 6. (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1948), 236.
[5] Ibid., 237.
[6] Ellen G. White, Confrontation (Grantham, Lincolnshire: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 49.
[7] Ibid., 50.