Day 345: Revelation 2:12–13

The One who has the sharp, two-edged sword says: I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is! (vv. 12–13).

We can only imagine what kind and level of warfare the young church in Pergamum experienced. Christ referred to the city as the place “where Satan’s throne is.” Since Satan is not omnipresent, this claim is hair-raising. We can’t be certain what Christ meant, but historical evidence from the first century tells us Pergamum was the uncontested center of pagan worship in Asia Minor.

Keep in mind that Satan’s primary goal is to keep people blinded to the truth while providing them with something that momentarily seems to assuage their spiritual hunger. Pergamum delivered. Christ spoke about the church in Pergamum remaining true to His name. Goodness knows, inhabitants had plenty of names to choose from. Within its walls were temples to Dionysus, Athena, Asclepius, and Demeter; three temples to the emperor cult; and a huge altar to Zeus.

Although the philosophy of the city seemed to be “pick a god, any god,” two primary religions exceeded all others in Pergamum: the worship of Dionysus, considered god of the royal kings (symbolized by the bull), and the worship of Asclepius, called “the savior god of healing” (symbolized by the snake). Does that second title make your skin crawl like it does mine? I know the Savior God of Healing, and I assure you it isn’t the snake. God heals in many ways, but He alone is Jehovah Rapha. I’m reminded of God’s words in Hosea 11:3. The prophet said of Israel, “They never knew that I healed them” (hcsb). All healing is meant to reveal the Healer, so Satan will do anything he can to block the connection.

The first psalm I memorized was Psalm 103. I still love it. It urges us to praise the Lord and not to forget His benefits. This is especially important because, given the opportunity, Satan gladly supplies a counterfeit “savior” who claims to provide a dandy benefit package. Any world religion or brand of humanism will do.

But man was created to seek God’s benefits. That’s why Satan works most effectively if he is able to offer alternatives. For instance, he’s sly to suggest other ways for people to unload their guilt. One workable way is to convince them they haven’t sinned. He has all sorts of means of providing counterfeit “redemption.” Don’t fall for them—any of them!