The Church of Pergamos
The name Pergamos comes from the suffix "per" which means improper or undesirable and "gamos" which means to marry or marrying. So, Pergamos literally had a name that meant "undesirable marriage," which is a fitting description of this church; since it was characterized by being married to the world.
We are told in scripture "to be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) It comes as no surprise that when the church could not be stamped out from without by means of persecution and execution, Satan turned to the tactic of conquering from within.
The church of Pergamos was commended for holding fast to the faith and the name of Christ even though they were located in an area renowned for pagan worship. In Pergamos there was an altar about fifty feet high known as the Pergamon Altar, which God refers to in this letter as "Satan's seat."(Rev 2:13) Yet, the church of Pergamos was compared to Balaam of the Old Testament, because they compromised for gain and created a stumbling block by mixing the Christian faith with the pagan beliefs and traditions. This church also accepted the teaching of the Nicolaitans (which the first two churches rejected), so they were corrupted by adopting worldly practice and rituals and setting up of an hierarchy of power within the church whereby an elite group could rule . The church of Pergamos had forsaken the sound teaching found in the Word of God. When Jesus opens his letter to the church of Pergamos he describes himself as "he which hath the sharp sword with two edges." (vs 2:12) We know from scripture that the two edged sword is the Word of God. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents pf the heart."(Hebrews 4:12)
Finally, they are told that "he who overcomes" will eat hidden manna and receive a white stone with a special name written on it, intended only for them. Manna was the divine physical food provided for the Israelites in the wilderness, signifying here some divine provision for the future. Some scholars see the white stone as significant to this church because of the historical practice of casting a white stone as a sign of innocence or acquittal and a black stone to condemn someone as guilty.
The Church of Thyatira
The letter to the church of Thyatira presents a notable change in letter structure. The first three letters had a postscript that ended with the "he that hath an ear" statement and lastly, the promise to the overcomer. In the last four letters, the promise to the overcomer is moved into the body of the letter and the "he that hath an ear" statement is left in the postscript alone. Also interesting, the last four letters contain explicit references Christ's coming, whereas the first three do not. These unmistakable differences are significant to those who view these letters as also having a prophetic dimension.
Like the church of Pergamos, the church of Thyatira was doing some things well. They were holding onto the faith in patience and with good works. However, Jesus opens the letter with his name "Son of God" and describes himself to them as "having eyes like a flame of fire" and feet "like fine brass." (vs 2:18) This picture that Christ is presenting to them is severe - feet like brass is referring to judgement, signifying God's judgement upon sin. In the Old Testament, brass was the Levitical symbol of judgement and used in the temple because it was a metal that could withstand high heat. Jesus describes the fire in his eyes specifically for this church, contributing to the sense that purification and judgement are in order.
The church of Thyatira was condemned for having the same spirit as Jezebel, a wicked Old Testament queen who incorporated pagan worship and rites into the nation of Israel, causing them to disobey God. Jesus declares the severity of this wickedness in saying that they have known "the depths of Satan."(vs 2:24) In this letter, the church of Thyatira was given a warning that contained a condition. If they would not repent, they would be thrown into "great tribulation" but if they repented, they would not suffer such a fate, but instead rule with Christ "over the nations." (vs 2:26) Many scholars find interesting parallels to this conditional warning and passages that describe the rapture, the second coming and the millennial kingdom. Jesus tells them that "he that overcometh" will rule with him over the nations and he "will give him the morning star." (vs. 2:28) Jesus uses "morning star" here as a reference to himself (Rev 22:16), which signifies the personal relationship the overcomer will have with Jesus Christ himself.
The Church of Sardis
The name Sardis means "that which remains" or "escape of the remnant." The word "name" appears four times in this letter - putting emphasis on the idea of identity. The church of Sardis was known for being confident that it was an alive, active church; yet, Jesus tells them that they are indeed dead.
However, they were some there who had "not defiled their garments." Jesus warns them "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God." (vs 3:2) He goes on to tell them that if they do not watch for him nor repent, "I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." Many scripture verses have this phrase "thief in the night" or describe it in parables, such as the parable of the ten virgins with oil lamps in Matthew 25 - consistently stressing that watchfulness is needed by believers throughout all ages. Although no man knows the day or hour, believers watching for the return of Christ will not be caught in surprise or fail to recognize the signs of the times that detail the rapture or his second coming.
Jesus tell the overcomer of this church "the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels." (vs 3:5)
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