SEVEN CHURCHES PART 1 43 Dionysus, Asclepius, Serapis, Demeter, etc. have been found). The inhabitants were know as the chief temple keepers of Asia. When the Babylonian cult of the Magians was driven out of Babylon, they found a haven in Pergamum. The title of the Magian High Pries was “Chief Bridge Builder,” that is, one who bridges the gap between mankind and Satan and his hosts. The Latin title was written, “Pontifex Maximus,” the title later transferred to the emperor Julius Caesar, then to the Roman Pope. This title goes back to Babylon and the beginning of the mother-child cult under Nimrod of Genesis 10 and his wife Sumerimus. The city housed the 2nd largest library in the empire with 200,000 volumes, which was a gift from Anthony to Cleopatra, and considered itself the defender of Greek culture. There is no mention in the Book of Acts of the founding of the church at Pergamum. Paul passed Model of the acropolis at Pergamum through this region in Acts 16:7-8, but likely the church was founded by disciples of Paul from Ephesus (Acts 19:10). The intense pagan culture made living a different lifestyle very risky.
THE DESTINATION (2:12)
2:12
To the angel of the church in Pergamum write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has the sharp double-edged sword: 2:12 The challenge of being the first to proclaim the gospel and plant a church in any of these early cities cannot be overestimated, especially Pergamum. The only hope was a message that incorporated the power of God (Rom 1:16) to work in the hearts of pagan fanatical idolaters. The reiteration of the imagery of the sword (romfaia, “a long heavy, broad sword used by Thracians and other barbarian nations) from 1:16 and 19:15 refers to the concept of irresistible authority and devastating force of the Lord’s judgment. The sword is a symbol of the Word of God in Heb 4:12, which states, “the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Paul also used this