From the Book of Revelation    143 

Smyrna (Rev 2:8 11) 

      `  I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the 

slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue 

of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. . . . Be faithful unto 

death, and I will give you the crown of life.  '   (Rev 2:9.10). 

    This part of the Church will experience persecution and many Christians 

will be martyred. God is speaking to this part of the Church to prepare these 

Christians to share in the Passion and death of Christ Jesus. These 

Christians are poor in material things, but rich in the eyes of God. 

    The slander referred to may come from some Jews, or this may mean that 

the slander will come from some false Christians. Sometimes, when Holy 

Scripture refers to  the Jews or to Israel, it is a prophetic reference to 

Christians, who are the new Israel. Christians have inherited the covenant 

given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

Pergamum (Rev 2:12 17) 

      `  I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; you hold fast my 

name and you did not deny my faith.... But I have a few things against you: 

you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to 

put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, that they might eat food 

sacrificed to idols and practice immorality.  '   (Rev 2:13.14). 

    This part of the Church is given both praise and criticism by God. They 

are praised for holding fast to the faith and the teachings of Christ. Yet they 

are also criticized because some of them have accepted teachings and 

practices which are against the teaching of the Church. 

    That is why this passage begins with the phrase:  The words of him who 

has the sharp two edged sword.  (Rev 2:12). The truth is a two edged sword 

because it can cut both ways, for you or against you. This part of the Church 

is both praised and criticized about the same matter: whether or not they 

hold fast to the faith. 

    These Christians dwell in an evil land,  where Satan's throne is,  and so, 

where evil has much power. This probably refers to some part of the world 

where political leaders and others use their power to do evil and to oppose 

the Church and Christ's teaching. 

    Eating food sacrificed to idols is part of God's complaint against them. 

Some Christians at this time will sin through something having to do with 

food and religion. This practice will be a foreshadowing of  the abomination 

of desolation  (Dan 11:31). These Christians will also fall into acts of