Revelation 2c

Pergamos Introductioin (12-17)

The church in Pergamos had a reputation as a Compromising Church, lacking discipline of doctrine.

What is doctrine anyway? Why is it important? We hear that word tossed about and often don’t stop to consider what effect it has on us. Your doctrine is the set of beliefs you live by, or at least attempt to live by. If you are a Christian, your beliefs ought to be derived from the scriptures first and foremost. For things that are not spoken of in scripture or matters of conscience, you defer to prayer and the Holy Spirit.

Example:

The rapture is a doctrine debated in Christianity to the point of causing division. Scripture clearly speaks of the rapture, a moment when the dead in Christ will rise, and those alive will be changed. The greatest point of division is the timing.

We could discuss the doctrines of sin, salvation, sanctification, glorification, baptism, eschatology, and on and on. And believers ought to discuss these things and know what they believe. They should know which doctrines to hold fast to and which can be held with a lighter grasp. However, many of today's churches hold fast to the doctrines of men. They create doctrine from social issues and hold that as the highest and most important teaching. Yet, they don’t teach the orthodox doctrines of sin and salvation. The lessons of Pergamos are relevant to the church today.

Pergamos

The legend of Pergamum’s founding claims the city’s founder was a boy named Telephus. He was supposedly put into a chest with his mother and floated across the open sea to the mouth of the Caicus River. The myth says Heracles, a divine hero and son of Zeus, and Athena, a Greek goddess of wisdom born of Zeus, provided for Telephus. The child went on to become the king of Mysia.

The 3rd letter that Jesus dictated to John was written to the church in the city of Pergamos (NIV-Pergamum), another ancient Greek city. Pergamos was known to some as the city of the serpent. The city was nearly straight north of Smyrna, probably about a 60-mile journey up the coast and then inland about 17 miles along the Caicus River Valley. It was located on a hill rising 1000 feet above the valley floor. The Acropolis there was visible from a long way off. It was only accessible from the southern slope. Pergamos was a fortress setting, and its buildings were built on terraces. It was considered one of the most beautiful cities during the Hellenistic period (323 _BC to 31 _BC).

When John wrote this letter, the city of Pergamos had been the capital city of the region for more than 300 years. It was a center for culture and education. Its invention and manufacture of parchment paper, called pergamena, made it a hub of manufacturing and trade. While the sea was 17-18 miles away, Pergamos still had ready access to the port and played a prominent, influential role on the Aegean Sea. They controlled the port, trade, and military access through that area.

The city had one of the largest libraries of the ancient world, with more than 200,000 volumes. History tells us that Mark Antony seized the contents of the library in 43 B.C. and gave it to Cleopatra as a wedding present. The largest library in existence that had been at Alexandria was damaged or destroyed by Julius Caesar a few years prior (48 B.C.). As a result, the contents of neither library can be accounted for. They were lost to history. In Pergamos, the remains of the great library are a monument to the once great cultural prominence. It is now just a note in history.

Pergamos was an extremely religious city. The city rivaled Ephesus in worshipping idols. It had temples dedicated to the Greek Gods Athena, Zeus, Dionysius, Asclepius, Hera, Demeter, and Persephone, as well as Egyptian gods Serapis, Isis, and Harpocrates. The city was marked with statues, altars, and sacred groves. The temple of Athena was probably the most prominent religious site for the city. The temple of Zeus was the most visible from a distance. The temple of Dionysius was there among the others near the theater. It also had three temples dedicated to the worship of the Roman Emperor. The honor of building a temple for the emperor was awarded to a city by the emperor himself. This was no small thing at the time.

Later, Pergamos was better known for the temple of Asclepios. Asclepios was the god of healing and medicine. Within this temple was a medical school. Because of this famous temple to the god of healing, sick and diseased people from all over the Roman Empire flocked to Pergamos for relief. It was like the Mayo Clinic of its time. Sufferers came to the temple. They offered a gift to Asclepius in return for healing. In some areas, they also made an offering of life-size clay figures pertaining to what ailed them. They were then allowed to spend the night in the darkness of the temple. In the temple, there were tame snakes. In the night the sufferer might be touched by one of these tame and harmless snakes as it glided over the ground on which he lay. The touch of the snake was held to be the touch of the god himself, and the touch was thought to have brought health and healing.” You can imagine this temple, full of clay body parts: hands, arms, legs, feet, noses, eyes, hearts, liver, etc. People were lying around the floor of this dark temple, hoping to be touched by a snake, hoping to get well.

Probably the most amazing part of this is that this was the beginning of modern medicine. Asclepius is represented by a serpent entwined around a staff. If you go to the website of the American Medical Association today, you will find the very same symbol: a serpent entwined around a staff. The original Hippocratic Oath that physicians swore was originally sworn before a group of false gods, one of which was Asclepius.

Pergamon was also known as the seat of Satan. This may be associated with the altar of Zeus, which was one of the wonders of the ancient world. It rose to a height of forty feet. Others believe this is a reference to the temples where the Roman emperors were worshiped. Pergamos means “elevation” but one source suggested it meant “mixed marriage.” Regardless of the validity of the claim, it certainly represented the church of Pergamos as they tried to be married to the world and the Lord at the same time.

It's fascinating that the culture and ways of this ancient city affected the world, even to the point of affecting our lives today. The lives of these people were governed by their beliefs in these false gods. Right in the middle of all that was the Church of Jesus Christ.

The question, then, was could the church have an affect on the culture? Or, would the culture invade the church and compromise it. Would the people of Pergamos come to know Christ, or would the Christians come to know Pergamos?

Revelation 2:12

The letter is addressed to the messenger or angel of the church. That messenger may have been a heavenly being but is more likely the pastor who was called to lead that church. He was brought a message and he was charged to bring that same word to the church, to the people.

To this church, Jesus identified Himself as the one who has the sharp two-edged sword. This is from John's vision of Jesus in the first chapter of the Son of Man, who was among the lampstands, holding the seven stars, and out of His mouth came this sharp two-edged sword. It was a “distomos rhomphaia,” a long, heavy sword, made to send a message or inflict maximum damage. This is symbolic of the word of God that penetrates, divides, and searches the intents of the heart. To one it is the word of salvation, o another the word of judgment. To the one yielded to Him, it brings hope. To His enemies it displayed condemnation and judgment. He is the living, eternal Word of truth.

“Listen, O coastlands, to Me,

And take heed, you peoples from afar!

The Lord has called Me from the womb;

From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name.

And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; (Is 49:1-2)

Jesus brought His two-edged sword to bear on those of Pergamos.

Revelation 2:13

Jesus reminded all the churches that He knew their works. This is a good reminder to any church today. The Lord not only knew their works, but He knew where they lived. They lived in the city of Satan’s throne. There are a few different viewpoints about what is meant by Satan's throne. The most prominent thought seems to be the huge throne-like altar dedicated to Zeus. Others believed the “throne of Satan” may be more of a general term because of all the idolatry. Whether it was a reference to the temple of Zeus or the city's penchant for idols, we know the Lord states Satan’s throne is in the vicinity of where this church dwells.

It was at Caesarea Phillipi that Peter professed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living god. The Lord responded to Peter, telling him that this was revealed to Him by the Father in Heaven. It was this declaration that would be the bedrock for the foundation of the church.

And the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)

The entire area around them was affiliated with the underworld, death, idols, and fallen angels. It was a Satanic stronghold. Yet, Jesus preached that none of these things would stand against the church. He held power over the underworld, death, and demons.

The works of the faithful in the presence of the throne of Satan displayed the power of Jesus Christ in their lives. They were commeneded for their works within this difficult setting. They held fast to His name in spite of living in the vicinity of the throne of Satan. I don’t think we can really understand the peer pressure and cultural pressure brought on these folks. Although, I believe we will come to know it soon. All around them were people who accepted all these false gods and goddesses. The believers had received Christ and forsaken all others. That made them the enemy of all other gods. None of the other gods or goddesses made an exclusive claim. They were just little gods among a bunch of little gods. Yet, when the king of Kings steps forward, they despise Him and His followers.

How interesting that the false gods had no problem with you worshiping other false gods. Caesar worship could be first; add in Zeus, Dionysius, and a little Asclepius to round things out. And the door was always open for others, should you feel the need. Yet, Jesus said, trust in Him alone. He was their all-in-all.

To hold to the faith and not deny His name would call for daily, hourly, and even minute-by-minute commitment and diligence. This would be even more true when they began to see people die. Such was the case with Antipas, whom Jesus calls “My faithful martyr”. He died right there among them and in the midst of Satan’s throne.

All citizens were expected to participate in civil religion or they would be suspected of disloyalty against the state; but Christians could not participate in imperial festivals or eat the meat doled out there, and as a group would thus naturally be suspected. Once one Christian was martyred, the legal precedent was set for the execution of Christians in other provinces.

Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary:

New Testament (Re 2:13). InterVarsity Press.

Among the temples in Pergamos, were those of the Egyptian gods Isis and Serapis. This was where Antipas was martyred. It is believed Antipas was the first bishop of the church of Pergamos, believed to be ordained by John the Apostle. Legend has it that there was a clash between Serapis worshipers and Christians. An angry mob seized Antipas and burned him alive inside a Brazen Bull incense burner that represented one of the false gods.

Antipas was one of the unsung heroes of the Bible. The Lord mentions him by name. In spite of all the pagan worship and idol worship that was happening in this city, many at the church were like Antipas; they didn't deny the faith.

Right in the middle of a stronghold of Satan, these people held fast.

Revelation 2:14

“But I have a few things against you…” These would be among the worst words you could ever hear the Lord speak. Faith and commitment, however, didn’t offset the bad. Right standing with the Lord isn’t a system of scales where the good needs to outweigh the bad.

First, the Doctrine of Balaam

There were those in the church that held to the doctrine of Balaam. The story of Balaam goes all the way back to Numbers 25:1-31:16. Balaam was Prophet from Pethor, a place far to the north. The Israelites were camped on the plains of Moab, and Balak, the king of Moab, feared them and their God. He wanted Balaam to come to Moab and curse them. At first God wouldn’t let him go, even though Balak offered a lot of money. After several offers, Balaam went, and the Lord used a talking donkey to correct him. The Lord said he could go if men came to him, but Balaam went on his own, not waiting for the men to call. God wouldn't allow him to curse the Israelites. Balaam taught Balak another way.

He taught them to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel. He got them to eat unclean things and commit sexual immorality.

Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel. (Numbers 25:1-3)

Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord. (Numbers 31:16)

The doctrine of Balaam was a facade of religiosity. It was to pretend to abide by God’s direction but, in reality, find another way, a way around, a way to compromise. It was to give the appearance of a follower of God, but their actions looked otherwise. Idol worship and sexual immorality was a way of life in the Roman Empire. Taking part in this made them look more like the culture around them. It was the absence of God’s moral and ethical boundaries, the absence of shame. In the Roman Empire and this age, in cities such as Pergamos, these were cultural activities people were expected to partake in.

The prototypical unethical teacher whose compromise proved fatal to Israel. Some in Pergamum adopted a stance of religious compromise and encouraged others to do so. By being sexually immoral and participating in pagan activities, the individual would avoid being ostracized.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S.,

Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016).

Faithlife Study Bible (Re 2:14). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

We find ourselves in similar times. If you don’t, in essence, bow to the narrative, you are labeled and marked as a racist or bigot, among other things. Our culture is in the business of canceling any person, business, or idea that doesn’t agree with the narrative. The “Woke” in our culture are not known for their thinking, love, or consideration of others. They play to a narrative fed to them, driven by hatred and selfishness. They want to cancel religion, history, and the lessons of the ages.

Our world is in the process of putting in place thought police. They are determined to protect folks from being misgendered, prayed for, or feeling bad in any way. Some new laws allow for reporting someone who is suspected of thinking wrong, as defined by the progressives. As police have been defunded and disrespected, as corrupt District Attorneys across the nation refuse to enforce laws and convict criminals, we see lawlessness become more acceptable. Criminals are set free, while someone who was suspected of praying in front of an abortion clinic faces prison. These are the cultural activities of our day that are very much like Pergamos.

Our culture is masterful at placing a stumbling block before believers. There are so many temptations coming from so many directions. These are more wicked and more commonplace now than they have ever been. The boundaries of decency have been not just pushed back but pushed over the edge. Our culture demands that no one has the right to hold to a moral or ethical maxim as if it were the sole truth. A liberal mindset that once believed there was room for many ideas and ways, now says you can believe anything as long as it’s the same as them! This is to be so compromised as to make the compromise the doctrines of their life.

The doctrine of Balaam was a belief that compromise was acceptable and could be a normal part of life. It’s knowing what the Lord expects but accepting just a little disobedience, as if a little sin, a little wickedness, or a little compromise, is acceptable.

Meat sacrificed to Idols

The source of the Balaam-like compromise in Pergamon was meat sacrificed to idols. Most of the temples up and down the main streets required sacrifices and offerings. There were regular festivals and celebrations in a city like this. Some particular guild might have a feast, offer some sacrifice to their god or goddess, then have a big feast or party that began with meat sacrificed to idols, turned into sexual immorality and drunkenness. This happened weekly, if not more often, in a place like Pergamon.

“No merchant or trader could hope to prosper or make money unless he was a member of his trade guild.” (Barclay)

This is exactly what happened to Israel by Balaam’s advice to Balaak. It brought many to destruction.

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! (1 Corinthians 6:15)

There were those in Pergamon that held a doctrine of compromise. They just wanted to get along, play nice with others in town to make life more comfortable, and keep away persecution and accusations of being separate. Some taught a doctrine of compromise, giving permission to take part in these sacrifices, feasts, and immoral celebrations. Jesus held this against them.

One ancient Christian named Tertullian wrote about Christians who made their living in trades connected to pagan idolatry. A painter might find work in pagan temples or a sculptor might be hired to make a statue of a pagan god. They would justify this by saying, “This is my living, and I must live.” Tertullian replied, Vivere ergo habes? “Must you live?” (Guzik)

The temptation of false doctrine can seem right and profitable, particularly in difficult circumstances. This is particularly true if you don’t have a strong Christian doctrine. Doctrine is Important.

Revelation 2:15

Second, Doctrine of Nicolatitans

It is clear that the church of Pergamos held some sound doctrine. They held fast to the name of Jesus, even in persecution. However, they were compromised in a few places. These compromises threatened the church as a whole.

The Nicolaitans was a similar compromise to that of Balaam. The Nicolaitans were mentioned in the letter to the church of Ephesus, also. Their doctrine found its way into multiple churches. The Ephesians hatied the Nicolaitans as the Lord did.

In Pergamon, they suffered from a weak and broken Christian foundation. They accepted the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. They may not have even known what that was. Compromise is rarely voted upon and openly agreed to.

There are several theories about the source of this doctrine. One idea was they were a sect associated with Nicolaus who was one of the seven original deacons at the church in Jerusalem. There was some thought that he taught Christians could engage in immoral behavior and impurity. His argument may well have been, “We are not under the law!” However, we know the law of grace reminds us we are bought and paid for by the blood of Christ and would not engage in things that would shame Him or stumble others.

Nico-laitans means pround authority, hierarchical separatism. We might see it as “Popish” rule over people. Did this man speak as though he had God’s athority to allow compromise?
Niko-laos means “to conqquer the people.”

Regardless of who Nicholas might have been, or the source of the doctrine of Nicolaitans, the nature of it seems to be agreed upon. It was the compromise to immoral behavior and impurity, which the Lord hates.

It is natural that “Nicolaitanism” should flourish in a place where politics and paganism were so closely allied, and where pressure on Christians to compromise must have been heavy.

Halley, H. H. (2000).

Halley’s Bible handbook with the New International Version.

(Completely rev. and expanded., p. 920). Zondervan Publishing House.

J.P. Lange said that the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans were two kindred forms of Antinomianism.

A form of spiritual anarchy, which rejects the law as having any place in the Christian life, whether as instructor or as assessor. Paul’s teaching that Christians are free from the law is sometimes misunderstood as antinomian. But Paul reveres God’s law, and teaches believers, who are free from the law as a system of salvation, to keep it out of gratitude for salvation freely given, and because holiness as defined by the law is the Christian calling.

Manser, M. H. (2009).

Dictionary of Bible Themes:

The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies.

Martin Manser.

Revelation 2:16

There were two things the Lord brought to their attention that He was against. The remedy was repentance. This is to agree with the Lord and turn around. They were to abandon these doctrines, agreeing there were weak places in their Christian foundation. To repair a foundation, you remove the weak and compromised blocks or bricks, improve the soil for stability, and then replace the damaged structures with those consistent with the rest of the foundation. In the end, you can’t tell there was ever a repair made. It all fits together.

Failure to repent is to invite the Lord to come quickly, bearing the sword of His mouth. This would be a short fight. The sharp two-edged sword is swift and precise in judgment. It was the time for repentance and correction. There was grace offered. The Lord expected them to act before He acted. Not everyone in the church believed in compromise, but they were part of a compromised church. The Lord indicated a compromised church wasn’t a church holding up the light of Christ.

The Lord would act swiftly and decisively. These are serious words coming from the Lord: repent, or I'm coming, and you won't like what I have to say.

This is serious business. And it should be viewed and dealt with as serious business. Church is serious business, dealing with eternal things. Many churches seem to have turned into “feel good about yourself” therapy or entertainment centers. We live in an age where tolerance is wielded like a weapon. The accusation of intolerance is assigned to anyone who doesn’t agree with me and what I hold fast to. However, the tolerant crowd is not tolerant of those who don’t agree with them. It seems they are pretty intolerant themselves.

Tolerance is not accepting every errant, odd, and perverse sin as normal.
Tolerance is accepting that everyone has a free choice in their life to hold strange doctrines and live twisted and perverse lives.
Tolerance is the ability to acknowledge each other in a civil fashion, agree to disagree, and even have a civil discussion about why we disagree.
Tolerance is to sit at a coffee shop with the most lost and wicked person you know and speak Jesus into their life, then listen to them reject Jesus. Then, pay the bill, wish them well, and offer to buy them a cup of coffee tomorrow or next week.
Tolerance is living in a Pergamon, hostile to Christianity, but holding close to the doctrines of Jesus, regardless of the cost. It is sharing those beliefs in love.
Tolerance is not surrounding yourself with those who affirm your beliefs and canceling all others. We’ve indoctrinated an entire generation to believe they must have a crying room or safe space to escape from those who disagree with them.

There was no such thing as a compromised lampstand. The church could not continue as a lampstand, holding up the light of Jesus Christ to the world if they were compromised by these doctrines.

Revelation 2:17

The message is universal, reaching the church across all time, geographical, and cultural boundaries. The Spirit was speaking to the church and still is today. What is the Spirit speaking of regarding this church?

Hold fast to Jesus’ name and doctrines. Even when living near Satan’s throne, a place where evil is the rule of the day, where persecution and martyrdom are normal, hold fast. It is not just possible it is crucial to our survival in the times in which we live.

To hold fast to Jesus's name is to hold fast to all His ways—without compromise! Sometimes, minute by minute, we forsake all else…no matter the cost.

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Doctrine matters. It is the foundation upon which all else is supported. Most of our doctrines aren’t thought through and adopted on the basis of their value and legitimacy. We often inherit them from family, traditions, and cultures and as a response to the circumstances of life.

The church at Pergamos didn’t vote to adopt a doctrine of Balaam. They simply remained quiet, offered no wisdom against it, and watched more people adopt what the culture accepted as normal. We find normal all around us that was considered aberrant, perverse, and unacceptable just a few years ago.

By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 2:6)

Yield the Sword on your own life. It is better to hold the sword of God’s word and have it fight for us than to bring it upon our life by His hand in judgment. Every life is subject to the Word of God!

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. (Psalm 33:6)

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. (Revelation 19:15)

Overcomers

This church had to overcome its weakness. It had not maintained its purity. It needed to clean things up. To those who overcome this compromise to false teaching and immorality, Jesus will give some hidden manna. This manna is the bread of heaven; one ancient writer called it angel’s food. It's the provision of God.

In addition, Jesus will then give the overcomer a white stone on which a new name is written. This is a personal name. It's God's name for you, and no one knows it but you. When we overcome the world we will be completed as a new person in Christ, with a new glorified body and a new name.

Giving someone a white stone had many different uses in that culture.

A white stone could be a ticket to a banquet, a sign of friendship, evidence of having been counted, or as a sign of acquittal in a court of law.
The conquerors in the public games were celebrated in great ways. Among all the pomp and celebration, they were given a white stone with their name on it. This was like a lifetime ticket of admission to anything in the city. Even if you weren't invited to the party, you could pull out your white stone, and you were in.

The idea of receiving a white stone probably had great meaning to these folks. Because they were Christians, because they were set apart from the culture and viewed as different, they would most likely never receive a white stone. The Lord offers them a greater white stone than any Greek or Roman culture could offer. It was the assurance of His blessing – free and inhibited access to the manifold grace of God.

There’s a white stone with your name on it. There is manna for you. These things can’t be enjoyed by the world or running in the world. They are only for those who overcome.

Revelation 2:18

Thyatira, the Corrupt Church

Thyatira" means "the castle of Thya.” As with all these cities, the city of Thyatira was an important ancient city; which made the church all the more important. This city was considerably smaller and less populated than the other six cities of Revelation. The city was a waypoint, a resting place when traveling between Pergamum and Sardis. It appears most people didn’t go to Thyatira, they just stopped there on the way to somewhere else. Not a lot is known of the early city. It had several names, all associated with Greek mythology. At one point, it was a holy city for the Lydian Sun God, Tyrimnos, son of Zeus. This god shows up on early coins of Thyatira as a horseman with a double-headed battle ax. This is very similar to the sculptures of the Hittites. Some scholars see a Hittite presence in this area.

The city was repurposed and rebuilt about 300 _BC by Seleucus, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. It was originally known as Pelopia, and it became known for its commerce and industry. It was known to have tanners, leatherworkers, potters, bakers, and slave-dealers; but it is most famous for its purple dye industry. The dye was rare, making it expensive. Previously made from shellfish in Phoenicia. Thyatira began to make it from madder root. It is said that clothes of this color were only worn by the wealthy. Lydia, a prominent Christian convert in Philippi and a friend of Paul’s was a seller of purple from Thyatira (Acts 16:14).

The trading of wool was closely linked to the purple dye industry. They were known for manufacturing garments there and the purple dye made them fine garments. An archeological inscription was found referring to the guild of wool workers.

In addition, Thyatira had an important metalworking trade there. They were smiths who did metalworking, including making armor for Rome. The Roman emperor Claudius allowed the city to mint their own coins around 50_AD. One of the coins is that of a smith hammering out the metal of a helmet on an anvil. Some see an association between the Lord’s title as “The One who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze” (seen as white-hot metal) and the metalworking trade. We are left to our own thoughts around this because there is no evidence to make it more than speculation. The metalworkers were one of the strongest craft guilds.

The garment and dye workers, along with the metalworkers, formed a strong core around which other craft guilds ascended. The guilds played an important role in Thyatira during the prominence of Rome. They wielded much political and social power. The guilds were dedicated to the service of a god. To be part of a guild may have required some consecration or dedication to that god or goddess. The guilds periodically held festivals with lots of food, all offered to idols. It wasn’t unusual for it to be accompanied by licentiousness; a mixture of religion and sex. This apparently caused the church there a few problems.

And so, we see that Thyatira was just as religious as these other nearby cities. It was full of temples and other religious sites. Honoring and worshiping all these false gods and idols was a prominent presence in the life of the average citizen. To work, eat, or socialize meant that, at a minimum, you were exposed to these gods, but in many cases, it brought you to a place requiring compromise. As with any culture, at any age, believers were forced to make decisions about how to live their lives.

Revelation