Nicolaitans: The exact origin of the Nicolaitans is unclear. Some Bible commentators believe they were a heretical sect who followed the teachings of Nicolas—whose name means “one who conquers the people”—who was possibly one of the deacons of the early church mentioned in Acts 6:5. It is possible that Nicolas became an apostate, denying the true faith and became part of a group holding “the doctrine of Balaam, “who taught Israel” to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.” Clement of Alexandria says, “They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self-indulgence.” Their teaching perverted grace and replaced liberty with license.
Appreciation: (2:13): Despite the difficult circumstances, the believers at Pergamum courageously maintained their faith in Christ. He commended them for continuing to hold fast His name even though they lived “where Satan’s throne is,” where Satan dwells. Pergamum had an altar of Zeus of 120 by 112 feet in size located within a colonnaded court. Such an impressive structure could easily merit the designation “Satan’s throne.”
In the midst of difficult and trying circumstances, the believers continued to dwell in Pergamum without denying the faith. The Lord described “Antipas” as “My witness, My faithful one” was martyred for his faith. Antipas’s faithfulness and courage were a rebuke to those at Pergamum who were tempted to compromise with the world.
Accusation: (2:14-15): The church at Pergamum remained loyal to Christ and His truth. Yet all was not well. Jesus said “I have a few things against you. There were some who followed wrong doctrines. Like many churches today, the church at Pergamum failed to obey the biblical mandate to practice church discipline (Matt.18:15-18). The Lord was concerned about 2-heresis.
- One associated with O.T. that they were following the teaching of Balaam (Num.22-25). Balak was fearful of Israelites because of what they had done to Amorites, he hired Balaam to curse them. After trying unsuccessfully three times to curse Israel, Balaam came up with another plan. Since he was unable to curse the Israelites, he decided to corrupt them by teaching Balak to tempt them to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. He plotted to use Moabite women to lure the Israelites into the behaviour of godless world around them involving sexual immorality and idolatry (Num.25; 31:16). Here Balaam’s plan seems to have succeeded. However God intervened and brought judgement upon Israel, executing 24,000 people (Num.25:9)including many of the leaders.
Like Israelites followed Balaam’s teaching, some of the church members at Pergamum followed the ways of their surrounding culture (Jude 10-11). Peter rebuked the Balaamites (2 Pet.2:15-16). Despite the notorious example of Israel, some of the Pergamum members persisted in following Balaam’s teaching. The issue of participating in idolatrous feasts had been well settled by Paul in (Acts 15:29) “abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication.”
- The second heresy was associated with NT, a man named Nicolas. Nicolas was one of the seven men chosen to oversee the distribution of food in (Acts 6:5-6). Whether he rebelled, or his followers twisted his teaching is not known. Abusing Christian liberty, the Nicolaitans also taught that Christians could participate in pagan sexual practices.
The majority of the Pergamum church members did not participate in the errors of these two groups. They remained loyal to Christ and the Christian faith. Yet by tolerating the groups and refusing to exercise church discipline, they shared in their guilt and incurred God’s wrath.
Admonition: (2:16-17): The remedy of the sinful behaviour is to repent. The entire church faced Christ’s judgement. The heretics were practicing sin and the rest of the church was tolerating it. The church should not tolerate sin. Paul said, “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump. (1 Cor.5:6-7). The goal of the church is not to provide environment where unbelievers can just feel comfortable. It should be a place where they can hear the truth and be convicted of their sins so they can be saved (Rom.10:13-17).
The Lord concludes His letter with words of encouragement. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” stresses the vital importance of the Lord’s words and responsibilities of the believers to hear and obey them. The Lord promises 3-things.
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- Hidden manna: Manna is a honey flavoured bread God used to feed the Israelites during their years of wandering the wilderness (Ex.16). Israelites also kept a jar of manna inside the ark of covenant during their travels. The hidden manna symbolizes all the blessings and benefits of knowing Christ (Eph.1:3).
- White stone: Some people think it as “Urim and Thummim” which used to be on the breastplate of the High Priest (Ex.28:15,30). These stones were used to determine God’s will or God’s guidance. As per this, the white stone God is going to give would help them to disclose God’s will. Some think that the white stone is the diamond stone as per the Roman customs, were being awarded to the victors in athletic contests. A white stone, inscribed with the athlete’s name served as his ticket to a special awards banquet. God promises that the overcomers to have entrance to the eternal victory celebrations in heaven.
- A new name: A new name will serve each believer to have admission into eternal glory. A new name uniquely reflect God’s special love for every one of His true children.
Conclusion: The Pergamum church faced the same choice that every church today is facing. Either it could repent and receive all the blessings of eternal life in the glory of heaven or refuse to repent and face the reality of God’s wrath. Today our churches also have the same choices. Unless we have the sanctification and discipline in our churches, our church would compromise with the world ultimately leading to God’s judgement.