Revelation 2:12-13 And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things writes He who holds the sharp two edge sword. "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is: and you hold fast to my name, and did not deny my faith, even in the days in which Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Pergamum was one of the greatest cities in Asia. Back in 282 BC Pergamum was made the capital city of the Seleucia kingdom. Under Roman rule they became the capital of the providence of Asia. Pergamum was famous for its library which contained 200,000 parchment rolls.
Pergamum was the center of the worship of Athena and Zeus. Pergamum was also connected to the worship of Asclepius known as the Pergamum god of healing. Many people came to the temple of Asclepius for healing. The emblem of Asclepius was a serpent which is still used in medicine today. Since Pergamum, was a capital city, there was also a temple to the Emperor. Once each year all citizens must bring incense to the temple and proclaim Caesar as Lord.
No born again Christian could declare Caesar to be God. Because of this they were considered disloyal to Rome. For this reason every Christian in Pergamum was under threat of death. This temple to the Emperor of Rome was probably what Jesus called the throne of Satan. We do not know who Antipas was except he was willing to die rather than deny Jesus as his Savior and Lord.
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