Introduction to Revelation
Revelation is one of the most misunderstood and profound books of the New Testament. It has been studied by scholars and the church for over a millennium. Brian Blount and G.K. Beale offer commentaries on the book which offer insights into the background and meanings of this incredible text. Beale accredits the text to a man named John, who he believes is the apostle John. John identifies himself in the text as a servant of God who bears witness to Jesus Christ and who is exiled for his faith (1:1,9). John never identifies himself as the apostle and because of this, many scholars believe that he was probably just a man who went by the name of John. This is the viewpoint that Blount takes in his Revelation commentary. He bases this conclusion on writings from Eusebius in the fourth century who strongly believed that it could not have been the apostle John or John Mark. Eusebius believes it could not have been the apostle John because he had numerous opportunities to stake claim over the text which would give it apostolic authority, but he never did. He also mentions that many families named their son “John” because of the respect they had for the apostle, making the odds of it being the apostle very low. Eusebius rightly knows that it could not have been John Mark because he did not accompany Paul and Barnabas to Asia. His conclusion is clear that it had to have been an unidentifiable John.
Both authors of the commentaries agree on the dating of the book. It is presumed that the book was written around 90-95 CE. One of Beale’s clearer reasons for this date is that emperor worship was much more prominent in Asia Minor, which is where the seven churches John addresses are located, from about 90 CE onward. Beale also mentions that this date is about the time that John the apostle would have been an “old man”.
Blount credits Revelation as an apocalyptic piece of literature because it is John’s understanding of what the future holds. He writes that apocalypse’s purpose is to “reveal a long-anticipated truth of prophetic significance about the end time” which was clearly the goal of John’s writings. Beale agrees with Blount on Revelation being apocalyptic but goes farther to say that it is also has aspects of prophecy and epistle. He writes that there should not be much difference between apocalyptic and prophecy because several Old Testament books combine the use of both styles, and that apocalyptic is essentially just a much more intense and deliberate text of the prophecy. Beale credits Revelation as an epistle because of the letters to the seven churches, where John wrote how believers in the church should be living godly lives.
John’s letter to Pergamum is the third of seven letters and is found in Revelation 2:12-17 which is right in the middle of John’s letters to the seven churches. This is significant because it specifies the intent of the letter, which is to warm the church that it is straying from God’s intent for his people there. John wrote the letters to the churches that he believed were under siege, he told them that they needed to resist the urges of allegiance to Rome and follow the one true Lord.
Analysis and Exegesis
John’s letter to Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) is addressed to the church in the city of Pergamum, which was the seat of Roman administration for the entirety of Asia Minor. The city was also very large and home to one of the world’s most acclaimed libraries. Part of John’s concern for this city is due to the fact that Pergamum was well known for worship of deities, and less known for worship of the God of the lamb. Greco-Roman deity worship was in fact so big that there were great temples to Zeus, Asclepius, Athena, and many more.
The letter to Pergamum begins on verse twelve of chapter two of Revelation. It reads, “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, two-edged sword” (2:12). This first verse is quite simply an introduction from Christ to the church. He first addressed the patron angel of the church, followed by Christ’s description of himself with the “sharp two-edged sword.”
The second verse of the Pergamum letter is verse thirteen. It reads, “I know where you are living, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days if Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives” (2:13). Christ begins with verse thirteen my stating that he knows that not only are the people living with Satan, but they are living where he has free reign and control. John clearly thinks very low of Pergamum, even lower than most if not all of the other churches, because he went as far to refer to the church as “…where Satan’s throne is.” Christ then applauds his followers for retaining their faith, given the wretched conditions and mentions the somewhat unknown Antipas who he regards in such high approval for his death in martyrdom.
John’s third verse of Pergamum reads, “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication” (2:14). This verse opens up with disappointment to Pergamum. Christ is upset that they are following Balaam, indicating that Balaam is a religious leader of some kind in the city with power who discourages Christ’s teachings. Blount also states that “Balaam” has a colloquial meaning for “one who consumes people.” This can clearly lead readers to believe that he had manipulative and ungodly intentions. Next is a reference to Balak which was a strong opponent of Israel, which could be inferred as to why they were led to temptation is they were taught by this Balaam.
The fourth verse is verse fifteen of chapter two. It reads, “So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans” (2:15). Blount infers that Balaam could be a leader of the Nicolaitans, meaning that this verse was an extra stab to Pergamum as Christ shows his disapproval. This group’s intentions were clearly against the word of Christ and had a strong influence in the city. It is speculated that the Nicolaitans didn’t have complete control because of Christ’s pleased attitude with his followers in verse thirteen.
The fifth verse if the second to last of the letter. It reads, “Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword in my mouth” (2:16). This verse is one of redemption as Christ offers one last chance. He states that he will be returning soon, and if they do not repent before then the backside of his two-edged sword will come down to judge them. This verse instates fear and offers hope to the church of Pergamum.
The final verse of John’s letter to Pergamum is verse seventeen. It reads, “Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it” (2:17). Christ’s final words to Pergamum open up in tradition style by calling those who have ears to listen in the church to the spirit as he offers a prize to all those who “conquer.” He is offering food from the one true God to a people “eating food sacrificed to idols” (2:14). The next part of this verse if focused on the white stone. His white stone is of significance because this new name that no one knows, except whoever receives it will be the new name of Christ. It is believed that this verse is essentially John exclaiming that Christ is offering a door to the messianic banquet. This final verse of Christ’s letter through John to Pergamum offers needed hope to the people of the church of Pergamum. He is stating the clear path to his kingdom proving that those who repent are forgiven.
Reflection
The purpose of John’s letter to Pergamum was to scrutinize the church next to Satan’s throne for their faults, and in that, offer much needed hope and assistance to get back on the path of righteousness to the Lord. In my preparation and writing of this essay over Pergamum, I have learned immensely more than I knew before about Asian-minor culture and I have seen this passage now in a whole new light.
It is evident that the strong pull away from the faith that we have in our culture today has been present since these letters. This passage as a whole felt very familiar in some respects to the life we live here. Christ is shocked and upset by the behaviors of his people there in Pergamum for not putting him first, which makes me think about the actions of everyone today, myself included. We have clearly failed him and there’s no way around it. The great thing about this letter is however, the path to redemption. Verse fifteen states “Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon.” Christ’s words here offer hope that we will be forgiven if we repent for our wretched sins. He also states that if not, he will return and judge us. These have been words told to me my whole life that cannot ever be forgotten. It reminds you of the respect and fear that we as Christians need to have for Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
My understanding of Revelations is definitely much broader now after this assignment. I feel more comfortable with the lessons, the letters, and the warnings now. It has made me want to go through and read the passages that have befuddled me in the past, to see if they have become clearer.