Modern Laodicea

24 Pages·2014·0.16 MB·English

Modern Laodicea 1
Desmond Allen, PhD, MDiv

Excerpt from
WHAT PAUL MIGHT SAY TODAY
Critiques in the Practical Theology of 21st Century Western Christendom

Introduction Illumination
I have included this chapter among Being born anew of the Spirit of God,
these critiques on the practical theology of believers live in the light; illumination
21st Century Western Christendom that we radiates about us and through us, from God
might better understand our present state, and toward His Word. Here is where
that we might better understand why we are understanding divine communication,
in the pitiful condition we are in. While the God’s written Word, takes place. In their
condition of the Church in the last days is darkness, unbelievers can have but a
detailed in various Bible passages, a limited understanding of Scripture.
prophetic, synoptic view of the entire Therefore, although it paints a very clear
Church Age is briefly chronicled in Jesus’ picture of many topics, to the unbeliever
messages to the seven historical churches these portraits are but blurry hues,
of Asia-Minor (present day Turkey): subjective abstracts left to the viewer’s
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, interpretation. The issue for them is
Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Other, illumination; the unbeliever simply does
more prominent congregations than some not have it.
of these could have been addressed; A prime example of the unbeliever’s
certainly they had issues as well. So too, inability to appreciate scriptural portraits is
the letters could have appeared in a the prophetic picture of the world’s
different sequence. But neither their choice condition at the end of the age prior to
nor the order in which they appear is Christ’s return. It is not that they are
random. Collectively, they depict a pre- uninformed; popular books are written
written history of the Church dispensation about it, major motion pictures depict the
from Pentecost to our future gathering to foretold scenario, and preachers warn of the
meet the Lord in the air. impending doom. Not only is society well
Before discussing the end of the age, it informed on the issue, it is a widespread
is important to review its history, both as topic of ridicule for comedians, popular
prophesied in these letters and as it media personnel and naysayers in general.
subsequently unfolded through the They scoff at the idea of a one-world
centuries. Herein we will see what it is that government, its evil leader, the antichrist
led us to where we are today. In hindsight, and his mark. Even as it unfolds right
we now understand just how precise and before them they dismiss, as nonsense, the
detailed these predictions were. We must ancient prophecies of the Jews’ returning to
also review the cultural environment in establish themselves in their Holy Land, all
which each historical church resided. Only to the consternation of the surrounding
then can we fully appreciate the nations. They scoff at the prophetic picture
significance of these most telling letters. that depicts a society similar to that of the
This, too, will allow us to better appreciate antediluvians: the rise of atheists who,
the passage pertaining to our current period professing themselves wise become fools,
of Church history, the last days. preferring to reverence the creation rather
2

than the Creator, the general approval of To the church in Ephesus
homosexuality; a covetous malignant
Unto the angel of the church of
society with a seared conscience; proud,
Ephesus write;
disobedient boasters, argumentative,
These things saith he that
murderous, haters of God; and inventors of
holdeth the seven stars in his right
evil things, in a world where knowledge
hand, who walketh in the midst of the
would be increased.
seven golden candlesticks; I know thy
Neither can the unbeliever fully
works, and thy labour, and thy
comprehend the predictions concerning the
patience, and how thou canst not
condition of the Church in the last days.
bear them which are evil: and thou
Although clearly articulated, to the
hast tried them which say they are
unbeliever these prophecies are nothing but
apostles, and are not, and hast found
subjective abstracts. However, for the
them liars: And hast borne, and hast
believer, the gift of illumination brings
patience, and for my name's sake hast
these portraits into focus, so that we, as
believers in the 21st Century, can clearly labored, and hast not fainted.
Nevertheless I have somewhat
see that the last days are upon us. In this
against thee, because thou hast left
chapter we review the foretold, historic
thy first love. Remember therefore
journey of the Church from Pentecost to
from whence thou art fallen, and
Christ’s return, and the condition in which
repent, and do the first works; or else
we should expect it to be in these last days.
I will come unto thee quickly, and
will remove thy candlestick out of his
His character & His promises
place, except thou repent.
But this thou hast, that thou
As we read these letters, take note of
hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes,
two specific details concerning our Lord:
which I also hate. He that hath an
the characterizations by which he identifies
ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
himself and the promises he makes to the
unto the churches; To him that
victorious. He describes himself differently
overcometh will I give to eat of the
and makes different promises to each
tree of life, which is in the midst of
church. His self-described characteristics
the paradise of God (Rev. 2:1-7).
are specifically chosen to identify with the
To this assembly in Ephesus, who had
particular, historic and prophetic
lost their first love He is “he that holdeth
environment of each church. Furthermore,
the seven stars in his right hand, who
there exists an interesting progression in the
walketh in the midst of the seven golden
promises as they symbolically restore the
candlesticks,” an obvious indication of his
victors, in each church, to the original
devotion to them and their security in Him,
intention God had in store for humanity
despite their lack of fervor toward him.
before the fall. We will also note that of
The victorious are promised, “to eat of the
the seven, only Smyrna and Philadelphia
tree of life, which is in the midst of the
receive praise without rebuke, while Sardis
paradise of God.” After Adam’s
and Laodicea are almost entirely censured.
disobedience, God placed the cherubim to
Ephesus, Pergmum and Thyatira are
guard this tree; here, symbolically, the
praised for some things and condemned for
original intention is restored.
others.
Ephesus, the historic city
3

Just as numbers are important to one of its seven wonders. Curiously, this
biblical interpretation, so too are names. goddess of the moon, fertility, life, and the
This is especially true when the name is outdoors (who they believed had fallen
chosen or singled out by God, such as from heaven), was represented by an
Abraham, Sarah, John the Baptist and, of unattractive, squat, black, many-breasted
course, Jesus himself (e.g. Gen. 17:5, 15; figure that, nevertheless, was revered, and
Lk. 1:13; Mt. 1:25). Each was chosen for a held precious throughout this stronghold of
specific meaning, a specific connotation it pagan superstition. This pagan religion
set forth. Ephesus means “the Desirable played a vital part in the local economy.
One.” At the time of The Revelation, Travelers came from all over the world to
Ephesus was the wealthiest and greatest buy Ephesian letters, amulets, and charms,
city in the province. Often referred to as which they believed could cure sickness,
the Light of Asia, it was a flourishing make fruitless wombs give birth, and
commercial seaport, the home of famed generally bring success to any venture.
annual gaming events, and the geographical It was this economy that Paul had
center of the Roman Empire. disrupted with his preaching (Acts 19:23-
The famous geographer Strabo, 41).2 He had so many converts that local
referred to Ephesus as the Market of Asia. merchants, sellers of religious trinkets,
Although Pergamum was the official seat realized they might be in danger of losing
of government for the province, Ephesus considerable income. Thus, a ruckus
was the unofficial capital. Located on the erupted.
banks of the Cayster River along the Similar to the cities of refuge for
Aegean Sea, Roman governors often held accused or guilty Israelites, the Temple of
court at Ephesus and, by statute, a new Diana was considered a safe haven for all
proconsul had to enter his new domain criminals. Once a criminal reached the
through this, the Gateway to Asia. As temple compound he could claim the right
such, Ephesus held the political distinction of asylum. Also housed within the temple
of being a self-governing, free city, thereby were hundreds of prostitutes, considered
excused from the usual oppressive garrison sacred temple priestesses. As one can
of troops. For all travelers, Ephesus was imagine, being the center of this pagan cult,
the highway to Rome. Years later, when as well as a haven for criminals and
Christians were being taken from Asia to prostitutes, Ephesus was a notoriously evil
serve as lion fodder in the coliseums, place known for its crime and immorality.
Ignatius called Ephesus the Highway of the Later generations would think of Ephesus
Martyrs. as the Vanity Fair of the ancient world.
Ephesus was also the center for magic Many have pointed out that Ephesus
arts and the worship of Artemis, or Diana.1 was a most unpromising soil for sowing the
Although it was home to several famous seed of Christianity. Yet it was here that
temples, erected in honor of various Roman Christianity had some of its greatest
Emperors, the Temple of Diana was its triumphs. Paul had founded the local
pride. Nearly 10,000 square feet, with 120 church. Aquila, Priscilla and Apollos had
elaborate columns climbing 60 feet to the labored here (Acts 18:19, 24, 26; 19);
ceiling, it was one of the most sacred

shrines of the ancient world and considered
2 Although the city no longer exists, archaeologists
have discovered the ruins of the great theater that
1 Artemis is the Greek name and Diana the Roman housed the riot in Acts 19.
name for the same deity.
4

Timothy had served as a bishop, and later, correct doctrine. Others believe this sect
even John himself, after returning from merely took his name to associate
exile, spent the last years of his life as its themselves with apostolic authority.
bishop. Ephesus had become a popular Irenaeus described them as living lives of
center of Christianity, as well as Diana unrestrained indulgence. Others spoke of
worship. them as shameless, in uncleanness.
An old ploy of Satan is to infiltrate and Clement said they “abandon themselves to
seduce. He tried it time and again with pleasure like goats . . . leading a life of self-
Israel and has continued to utilize this indulgence.” However, he defended
strategy with the Church. This tactic was Nicolaus, arguing that his followers had
exercised in Ephesus as well. However, perverted his teaching that “the flesh must
doubtless due to their strong theological be abused.” By this Nicolaus meant the
foundation, the church remained unscathed. body must be kept under control; but the
Thus, Jesus commends them for having heretics, Clement explained, had distorted
“tested those calling themselves apostles, this to mean the flesh can be used as
but they are not and you found them liars.” shamelessly as a man wishes. Regardless
Paul had warned these same Ephesians of their origin, the Nicolaitans were an
that after he departed grievous wolves early sect of licentious heretics who
would enter among them, not sparing the claimed to be Christians, yet led ungodly,
flock (Ac.20:29). Centuries later, immoral lives.
Tertullian and Jerome spoke of a work, The Ephesian believers condemned the
written by a presbyter of Ephesus, which Nicolaitans, as well as all other false
claimed to be a canonical history of the acts teachings. However, despite their sound
of Paul. John had condemned this work doctrine, the Ephesians had a significant
and accused its author of heresy. Other problem. They had lost their fervor for the
wolves came as well, and in various sorts. Lord. They were well versed in the
Some were envoys of the Jews who had Scriptures, doctrinally sound, and had all
followed Paul about, hoping to entangle the appearance of holiness. They hated
Christians in the Law. Some taught that immorality, and fought against the heresy
Christians could turn their liberty into a of seditious teachers, diligently scrutinizing
license for licentious behavior. Some were every one of them. But their hearts had
professional beggars, taking advantage of grown cold. It had been a long time since
Christian charity. Located in the center of they had earnestly thanked the Lord for His
crime and immorality, the Church at blessings. It had been even longer since
Ephesus was especially prone to such they had fallen prostrate before Him,
deceivers. broken from the awesome reality of their
Jesus praised them for their own sinful nature in the face of His
discernment and condemnation of the righteousness. Therefore, to them Jesus
Nicolaitans: “But this you have, that you said, “Remember, therefore, from where
hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I you have fallen and repent and do the first
also hate.” Some believe the Nicolaitans3 works. Otherwise, I am coming to you and
were followers of Nichas, whom I will move your lampstand out of its place,
Hippolytus identified as Nicolaus who had unless you repent.” Evidently, the
been one of the seven deacons to serve historical Ephesus failed to heed this
tables in Jerusalem, but had departed from warning, for neither the city nor the church
continues to exist. Perhaps the ancient
3 See comments on the church of Pergamum.
5

proverb of the hard hearted is applicable: To Smyrna, once an important ancient
“He that, being often reproved, hardens his city that had virtually died out but had
neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that returned to life, and was now the home of
without remedy” (Prov. 29:1). martyrs, He is the one “which was dead,
and is alive.” But that is not all, Smyrna
The prophetic portrait of the church in proudly supported municipal rivalries and
Ephesus its citizens aspired to be in the “who’s
who” of local society. To them, the Lord
As for the prophetic view of Church
proclaimed, He is “the first and the last.”
history, as the years passed, Ephesus
He is the ultimate “who’s who,” all others
proved to represent the Church during the
pale in comparison. The victors of Smyrna
first and early second centuries. Even after
are promised they “shall not be hurt of the
the death of the apostles the pristine 1st
second death.” Due to Adam’s
Century Church continued to preserve the
disobedience, death has passed upon all
sound doctrine they had learned from them.
men; here, symbolically, the originally
But throughout the empire, the Church had
intended eternal life is restored.
slowly lost its enthusiasm, had grown
lackluster, had simply lost its zeal. In time,
Smyrna, the historic city
this doctrinally pure, but evangelistically
complacent, early Church transformed into Also a city of distinction, even rivaling
the persecuted and martyred Church of the Ephesus in politics, religion, and culture,
next few centuries, which is represented by Smyrna was a famed seaport located north
the church at Smyrna. of Ephesus on a gulf of the Aegean Sea.
While Ephesus may have been the Market
of Asia, Smyrna was considered the
To the church in Smyrna
Ornament, the Flower of Asia. Ramsay
And unto the angel of the church called it the City of Life and Lucian said it
in Smyrna write; was the fairest of the cities of Ionia. This
These things saith the first and city of culture, boasting a large public
the last, which was dead, and is library, a theater, and a stadium for games,
alive; I know thy works, and it prided itself as the birthplace of Homer.
tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art The heart of the city cuddled the end of
rich) and I know the blasphemy of a long, narrow bay providing a naturally
them which say they are Jews, and safe harbor for war and merchant ships
are not, but are the synagogue of alike. Thus, Smyrna was the primary siti of
Satan. Fear none of those things trade for the Hermus Valley. The broad,
which thou shalt suffer: behold, the paved streets of the beautiful metropolis
devil shall cast some of you into sprawled through the foothills to the
prison, that ye may be tried; and ye Pagos—a summit sporting several temples,
shall have tribulation ten days: be each dedicated to a different god: Cybele,
thou faithful unto death, and I will Zeus, Apollo, Nemesis, Tiberius, Aphrodite
give thee a crown of life. and Asclepios. Leading across the Pagos,
He that hath an ear, let him hear from the Temple of Zeus to the Temple of
what the Spirit saith unto the Cybele, like a necklace around the crown,
churches; He that overcometh shall was the celebrated street of gold, which
not be hurt of the second death (Rev. inspired many to call Smyrna, the Crown of
2:8-11). Asia.
6

Like Ephesus, Smyrna was a free city- was burned alive, he calmly went with his
state. In 195 BC, it became the first city in captors. Before leaving, he requested an
the world to build a temple to the goddess hour alone for prayer. His captors gave
Roma. This had led to a longstanding him two, marveling at the composure,
friendship with Rome, so that, in AD 26, piety, and the obvious innocence of this
the city was granted the honor of erecting a gray haired old man. Tradition tells us that
temple to the Roman deity, Caesar some of these guards evidently converted to
Tiberius. Although the Temple of Tiberius the faith.
made this a chief location for emperor On the way back to the city, the
worship, as long as citizens paid homage to captain of the guard pleaded with Polycarp,
the emperor, they were allowed to worship asking him what harm there could be to say
their own particular deity, something every Caesar is lord, and to offer a sacrifice to
group and working class had and each of save his own life? Polycarp responded that
which the city honored with a different for him, only Jesus Christ was Lord.
holiday and feast. Tradition also has it that upon entering the
If only the Christians had simply stadium, Polycarp heard a voice from
participated, even nominally, in emperor heaven telling him to “be strong and play
worship they would have been free to build the man.” The governor offered him the
a temple to their own god and would have choice of cursing the name of Christ and
easily blended in with the rest of the making sacrifice to Caesar, or death, to
activities. No one in the city would have which Polycarp answered, “I have served
paid them any mind. However, and to their him eighty-six years and he has done me no
glory, this was not the case. The church at wrong. How can I blaspheme my King
Smyrna refused to compromise. They who saved me?” When the governor
would not participate in any of the feast threatened to burn him, Polycarp replied,
days. They would not burn incense and You threaten me with the fire that
they would not bow their knee to the burns for a time and is quickly
emperor as a deity. Thus, they were quenched, for you do not know the
persecuted. fire which awaits the wicked in the
The Jewish society of Smyrna was judgment to come and in everlasting
hostile toward the Christians as well. In punishment. Why are you waiting?
AD 155, the Jews willfully participated in Come, do what you will.
the martyrdom of Polycarp—the bishop of As they tied him to the stake he said,
Smyrna, John’s former student, and the Leave me as I am, for he who gives
angel, or messenger, to whom Jesus me power to endure the fire, will
addressed this letter. One early account of grant me to remain in the flames
the event explains that during the public unmoved even without the security
games, a cry went up from the crowd, you will give by the nails.
“Away with the atheists” (for this is what At this the crowd pressed in, tossing their
they called Christians who refused to sticks into the flame. It is then that
worship the Roman deity), “let Polycarp be Polycarp offered his now famous prayer.
searched for.” O Lord God Almighty, Father of your
The troops found him in the upper beloved and blessed Child, Jesus
room of a building from which he could Christ, through whom we have
have easily escaped. But having already received full knowledge of you; God
told his disciples of a dream in which he of angels and powers, and of all
7

creation, and of the whole family of I know thy works, and tribulation,
the righteous, who live before you, I and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I
bless you that you have granted unto know the blasphemy of them which
me this day and hour, that I may say they are Jews, and are not, but
share, among the number of the are the synagogue of Satan.
martyrs, in the cup of your Christ, for The term Smyrna is the equivalent of
the resurrection to eternal life, both of myrrh, a bitter sap used as an anesthetic, a
soul and body in the immortality of holy ointment, an embalming element, and
the Holy Spirit. And may I today be a perfume. When crushed, its aroma
received among them before you, as a becomes stronger and even more pungent.
rich and acceptable sacrifice, as you, As a desirable aroma its typical
the God without falsehood and of significance is referenced three times in
truth, have prepared beforehand and connection with our Lord: at his birth (Mt.
shown forth and fulfilled. For this 2:11); at the cross (Mk. 15:23); and at his
reason I also praise you for all things. burial (Jn. 19:39). This, no doubt, speaks
I bless you, I glorify you through the of the pleasing aroma of the entire body of
eternal and heavenly High Priest, our Lord’s work and his suffering to
Jesus Christ, your beloved Child, complete it (Eph. 5:2; Ps. 45:8). Here, also
through whom be glory to You with it has typological significance, speaking to
Him and the Holy Spirit, both now the pleasing aroma of this suffering church,
and for the ages that are to come. toward which the Lord has not one
Amen. complaint.
The flames rose, but as they gathered
intensity they began to flare out, arching
about him so that he was not harmed. The prophetic portrait of the church in
Seeing that he would not burn, at last the Smyrna
executioner reached up and stabbed him
Having comforted them with His
with his spear. In this account of the event,
knowledge of their plight, He then warned
the volume of blood spewing from the
them of an even greater trouble they were
wound quenched the fire, causing the
about to incur,
crowd to marvel at the difference between
Fear none of those things which thou
them and the Christians.
shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall
Polycarp was not alone in his refusal to
cast some of you into prison, that ye
bow to Caesar as lord. The entire church of
may be tried; and ye shall have
Smyrna denied his deity. Their failure to
tribulation ten days.
worship Caesar made it difficult for them to
Prophetically, this message to Smyrna
acquire even the small supply of daily
represents the Church Age from the turn of
necessities, for they were unable to find
the 1st century through the early part of the
work with the idolatrous employers (each
4th century. During this time the Church
of whom demanded participation in pagan
suffered ten great persecutions at the hands
rituals). They were also subject to sudden
of ten deviant Roman Emperors.4 To
and unprovoked attacks by the pagan mobs.
During such attacks it was not unusual for
4 In AD 64 the Church suffered severe persecution
believers to lose their possessions, their
at the hand of Nero. But by the time of this writing,
homes, and their businesses. It is for this
95 - 100, Nero’s reign had ended. Ten other Roman
reason the Lord encouraged them,
Emperors followed with similar practices: #1, 96
Domitian; #2, 98-117; Trajan; #3, 117-138 Hadrian;
8

justify these persecutions, six different quickly, and will fight against them
charges were typically brought against the with the sword of my mouth.
Christians. He that hath an ear, let him hear
Cannibalism, because the sacrament of what the Spirit saith unto the
communion refered to the body churches; To him that overcometh
and blood of Christ. will I give to eat of the hidden manna,
Orgies of lust, because the common and will give him a white stone, and
meal was called the love feast. in the stone a new name written,
Tampering with family relationships, which no man knoweth saving he that
because conversions often caused receiveth it (Rev. 2:12-17).
families to split. To the church of Pergamum, who
Atheism, because they would not tolerated an immoral heresy, He is “he
worship the images of the gods. which hath the sharp sword with two
Politically unpatriotic, because they edges.” Because the church would not
would not say Caesar was lord. separate truth from error, he would do it for
Incendiaries, because they foretold of them, and it would be painful. The
the end of the world in flames. victorious believers in Pergamum are
promised “to eat of the hidden manna, and
will give him a white stone, and in the stone
To the church in Pergamum
a new name written, which no man knoweth
And to the angel of the church in saving he that receiveth it.” The judgment
Pergamos write; passed upon man after the fall was that “by
These things saith he which hath the sweat of his face shall he eat bread, for
the sharp sword with two edges; I the land would be accursed for him with
know thy works, and where thou thorns and thistles.” Here, life without
dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: labor is restored. Also, perhaps it is a
and thou holdest fast my name, and reference to the Jewish tradition, which
hast not denied my faith, even in taught that during the siege of Solomon’s
those days wherein Antipas was my temple, Jeremiah had hidden the ark and
faithful martyr, who was slain among the golden pot of manna kept in it. The ark
you, where Satan dwelleth. was to remain hidden until Israel was
But I have a few things against restored (2 Macc. 2:5ff.). The “white
thee, because thou hast there them stone” is a clear symbol of victory, and it
that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who implies justification. To the Greeks it was
taught Balac to cast a stumbling a symbol of acquittal just as a black stone
block before the children of Israel, to was a symbol of guilt.
eat things sacrificed unto idols, and
to commit fornication. So hast thou Pergamum, the historic city
also them that hold the doctrine of
Pergamum, the northernmost of the
the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
seven cities, sat overlooking the valley of
Repent; or else I will come unto thee
the River Caicus. Although not located on
any major trade route, still it was a great
#4, 138-161 Antoninus Pius; #5, 161-180 Marcus and flourishing metropolis. Strabo
Aurelius; #6 193-211 Septimis Serverus; #7 235- described it as the most illustrious of the
238 Maximin; #8, 249-251 Decius; #9, 253-260 Asian cities. Pliny said it was the most
Valerian; and #10, 284-305 Diocletian.
famous; and it certainly was, at least
9

historically speaking, the greatest of them paganism, was etched into the rock
all. In 282 BC, Pergamum became the alongside the great throne and altar to Zeus.
capital of the Seleucid kingdom—a portion This is a symbol with which we are still
of the fractured empire of Alexander the familiar today. Galen—second only to
Great. During 197 to 159 BC, Pergamum Hippocrates in the medical history of the
had grown under the rule of Eumenes II, ancient world—was born in Pergamum.
who built a number of large buildings, Speaking of his favorite oaths, he observed
including a library boasting some 200,000 that people often swore by Artemis of
volumes, second only to the library in Ephesus, or by Apollo of Delphi, or by
Alexandria.5 Upon his death in 133 BC, Asklepios of Pergamum.
Attalus III willed this territory to Rome, Appropriately, the Lord said of
from which Rome formed the Asian Pergamum that this is, “where Satan's seat
province of Pergamum with this, the city is.” It was to this city that the Babylonian
Pergamum, remaining as its capital. priests had nested after the destruction of
Its rich history, the voluminous library, Babylon (Isa. 13:17-22). Although they
and its many temples made Pergamum assimilated to, and adapted their practices
another important cultural center. Its for, the local culture, Pergamum had
citizens regarded themselves as the become the center for the old Babylonian
custodians of the Greek way of life and Mysteries, and for the imperial cult. It was
worship. Somewhere around 240 BC, the headquarters for emperor worship. In
Pergamum had been victorious over the 29 BC, the city built a temple in honor of
savage invasion of the Gauls. To Augustus Caesar Octavian, and by the end
commemorate the victory, they had built an of the 1st century AD, all Roman subjects
altar to Zeus in front of the Temple of were required to offer prayers and
Athena. Like Ephesus and Smyrna, sacrifices in the name of the emperor, who
Pergamum was littered with temples to was regarded as divine.
their favored gods. Some, within the church of Pergamum,
Not far from the great grove of had refused to comply with the idolatry.
Nicephorium was the grove and Temple of For Antipas and others, like Agathonice,
Asklepios—the god of healing, who was Attalus, Carpus and Polybus, who kept the
also called the god of Pergamum. Here, faith even to the point of death, there is
was a school for medical studies in honor praise, “you hold fast my name and did not
of this, their favorite god. The symbol of deny my faith.” But for others, those who
Asklepios, a serpent, the emblem of had tolerated the teachings of Balaam and
the teachings of the Nicolaitans, there was

5 The word parchment comes from the name condemnation. The doctrine of Balaam
Pergamum (pergamene charta, the pergamene goes back to the Midianites, who
sheet). For many centuries scribes had used worshiped Baal with the practice of fertility
papyrus, made of the pith of a very large bulrush
rites (Num. 25:1-17). They believed their
that grows beside the Nile. In the 3rd Century BC,
god died and arose each year in conjunction
the Pergamene king, Eumeses, persuaded
with the changing season, which resulted in
Aristophanes, the librarian at Alexandria, to come to
Pergamum. Ptolemy, of Egypt, was enraged, the cycle of fertility for their crops and their
imprisoned Aristophanes and put an embargo on the flocks. Balaam’s doctrine was to corrupt
export of papyrus to Pergamum. Thus, the scholars
the people of the Lord. He told Balac to
of Pergamum invented parchment or vellum, made
have their young women infiltrate and
from the polished skins of animals—a superior
seduce the Israelites. Their specific
medium, in time it overtook papyrus as the preferred
writing material.
10

mission was to persuade the Israelites to Church is befriended by the empire. After
disobey God’s command for separation, so the great persecutions of ten successive
that ultimately, they could cause Israel to emperors, the Church increasingly assumed
forsake the Lord. Quite fittingly, the name a role as a ward of the state, until at last, the
Pergamum means the “objectionable table was turned and the Church took
marriage.” control of the Empire. The Empire’s
The Nicolaitans brought great shame embrace of the Church began with
to the Church.6 Although they professed Constantine the Great, who openly
Christianity, they lived lives steeped in expressed his favor for the Christian faith.
immorality and vice. Nicolaitans abused Whether he did so to achieve political unity
the doctrine of grace by exercising or out of personal commitment has always
Christian liberty as a license to partake in been debated. Ultimately, the outcome is
sensual pleasures, while yet professing the undeniable—immediately, the empire
faith. Unlike the believers in Smyrna, they became overtly tolerant and encouraging
were willing to compromise with the toward the Church.9
Imperial religion by permitting Christians Although Constantine seemingly
to participate in worship at the pagan accepted Christianity,10 he continued to
temples.7 It is also believed that the placate the pagans by retaining the title and
Nicolaitans were the first to divide the performing the duties of the Pontifex
clergy from the laity. Jesus warned them, Maximus—the High Priest of the pagan
“Repent; or else I will come unto thee
quickly, and will fight against them with the
sword of my mouth (Rev. 2:16).8 9 By an imperial edict in 311, Christians were
granted a limited tolerance. Another edict in 313,
by the emperors Licinius and Constantine, granted
The prophetic portrait of the church in
Christians full liberty to follow their faith as desired.
Pergamum Many have called these the Magna Carta of
Christianity.
Prophetically, the message to 10 Constantine’s professed conversion was the result
Pergamum represents the early part of the of a supposed vision just prior to the battle of
4th Century through the 5th and into the 6th Milvian Bridge in 312. He claimed to have seen a
Century. It is during this era that the cross, with the words written above it, “In This Sign
Conquer.” The reality of his conversion has always
been questioned. Because he simultaneously
6 See comments of the church of Ephesus. appeased the pagans by retaining the title and
7 This practice seems quite similar to the present day performing the duties of the Pontifex Maximus (the
confessional of Roman Catholicism. It also seems High Priest of the pagan religion), continued to
similar to the popular Armenian “saved and lost” serve the pagan idols, and refused Christian baptism
doctrine, held by many Protestants. Herein, church until just prior to his death, many consider his
members are permitted to openly partake in a conversion merely a brilliant political ploy that
licentious lifestyle as long as they show up at the sought, and succeeded, to unite the empire
temple from time to time to confess their sins and be religiously, as it was politically, and thereby extend
absolved of all wrongdoing, or in the case of the his influence. Whether his conversion was real or
modern Armenian Protestants, to be saved again. not, we don’t know, but one thing is certain, it
8 Roman governors were divided into two classes— changed the course of history. From that day
those who had the right of the sword, and those who forward the Church and the empire were united. It
did not. Those who had the right of the sword had was also a change in the adversary’s strategy that
the power of life and death. On their word a man cannot be overlooked. This was a ploy Satan had
could be executed on the spot. The proconsul used before, when persecution failed to do the job.
headquartered at Pergamum had the right of the His plan is so predictable there is nothing new under
sword and at any moment he could use it against the the sun—infiltration and seduction from within is
Christian. always the next step after persecution fails.