BACKGROUND
Our third letter from Jesus to his church is read to a people living in treacherous conditions, “where Satan dwells.” While we’d imagine the place where Satan sits enthroned as a place of debauchery and sleaze, oozing with evils, Pergamum, by all accounts, was a magnificent city. The crown of a civilized society, a palace of healing, a bastion of law and order, a city whose power and authority offered the means and vision of a full life. “Beyond all other cities in Asia Minor, Pergamum gives the traveler the impression of a royal city, the home of authority…”[1] Pergamum was a city of royalty (rule) and authority. The question is, whose?
Built upon a cone-like hill overlooking the valley of the River Caicus, one could easily see the Mediterranean Sea some fifteen miles away. It’s no wonder that Pergamum could trace its lineage to prehistoric times. It was, says William Barclay, “historically…the greatest city of Asia,”[2] for at the time of Jesus’ address, Pergamum had been a capital city overlooking the expanse of the Asian province in some form or fashion for nearly 400 years.
The city’s “name in Greek (Pergamon) means ‘citadel.’” [3] This towering stronghold over time became known as “’the finest flower of Hellenic civilization,’” for it boasted “a library of more than 200,000 volumes.” Still, “the most spectacular aspect of this remarkable city was the upper terrace of the [bastion] with its sacred and royal buildings…” Here sat “the great altar of Zeus,” which stood some forty-plus feet tall and rested near the mountain's peak. At the base of this throne was a famous frieze (a band of sculpted decoration) which “depicts the gods of Greece in victorious combat against the giants of earth, alongside the victory of Attalus I (the first ruler in Asia) over the [barbarian] Galatians.” In other words, here at Pergamum is where civilization began!
Pergamum was also “a center of worship for…Asklepios.” Asklepios was the god of healing, and his temple, the closest thing to a hospital in ancient times. What is important to note is that Asklepios’ name was often proclaimed with the designation “Savior.” He drew people from across the province seeking his salvation. Asklepios was always represented as holding a staff with a serpent or simply as a serpent-wrapped rod.
Beyond the birthplace of civilization, intellectual life over primitive life, and the home to the healer (Savior) of humanity, Pergamum was also the official center in Asia for the imperial cult of Rome. The seat of emperor worship, where divinity and humanity become one, where the authority and power to make the world in our image found its force and face. “It was the first city of Asia to receive permission to build a temple dedicated to the worship of a living ruler…’the divine Augustus…’”
Pergamum was not a city of sleaze and filth and chaos. It was the crown of a civilized society, a palace of healing, a bastion of law and order. And that’s the tricky part. The modernization of this ancient place, coupled with an integrated and holistic vision for a healthy and whole life of religion and politics, and economics, played on every human aspiration for “the good life.” Power and authority were evident and evidently working for the prospering of the entire province—participation in the power structures and systems of governance was a matter of common sense and societal normality. It was a city where the seen and the unseen were united, but to what and whose end?
PREPARATION
IMPORTANT: Try to make sure you have at least 25 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is okay! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer; it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.
PRACTICE
READ Revelation 2:12-17 slowly. If possible, read it aloud.
Now that you are familiar with the context and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today. If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.
Now, reread the passage slowly, envisioning Jesus as he described, “him who has the sharp two-edged sword,” which is “the sword of my mouth.” Picture Jesus as the one who has authority over life and death, the one who rules the seen and the unseen, determines what is truly good, and has the power to heal, rescue, judge, redeem, bring justice, and bring salvation; with just his words. Imagine this Jesus speaking to his friends, followers, and flock holding fast amid the stronghold of their enemy. As you read and imagine[4]
Listen for a word or phrase, encouragement, admonishment, promise, etc., that stands out. Don’t choose this yourself; let the Spirit bring it to your mind. Even if you don’t like it, try to welcome it with humility (it’s key!) and see what happens.
Consider how you relate to the people and place of Pergamum. How are their issues, your issue, or our faith family’s issue? How is their life of faith similar to yours and ours? How is it different?
Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder the questions and listen quietly.
REFLECT Reread the letter to Pergamum slowly.
As you reflect the words of Jesus to this faith family, consider the following:
The word or phrase or detail that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?
The promise (v. 17). In what ways might the promise of provision for life today and unique identity with responsibility in life now and forever encourage them to diligently discern “the way(s)” they were following Jesus in their culture? How might the promise encourage you or us to do the same?
Give yourself 2-3 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How do you want me to ‘keep what is written?”
RESPOND Read Revelation 2:12-17 one last time.
Prepare yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you as you found yourself in the letter from Jesus to the faith family of Smyrna.
Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or confess to God something or ask God for something.
Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.
REST Do as you are led for the last 5 minutes.
You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus, who speaks directly and pastorally to his sheep. You may want to pay attention to Jesus, pondering: what Jesus does in this particular prophetic utterance or what he describes his people doing, or what about Jesus makes you marvel, or least want to be with him? Sit in the companionship of God—whose authority and power create a whole life now and forever.
CONCLUSION
Having fed on the word through this practice, give it time to digest. In a day or two, come back to your thoughts and observations about yourself, the church, and our church; praying these back to God and asking for clarity, encouragement, and courage to respond to Him. Consider sharing these with your Gospel Community, DNA, or another “sibling and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom
[1] Archeologist, Sir William Ramsey, quoted in William Barclay, The Revelation of John, 96.
[2] Ibid.
[3]The following quotes in this section are referenced from Robert Mounce, The Book of Revelation, NICNT, 78-80.
[4] Revelation requires us to exercise our imagination. If the use of imagination in faith and life with Jesus is new to you, take a minute to read pages 18-19 of this resource.