Revelation 12:13

“I know where you live – where Satan has his throne.”

Pergamum was the official center of Emperor worship in Asia.  The Emperor, Domitian, tolerated no disloyalty anywhere in the Roman Empire.  This put the believer group in Pergamum in jeopardy.  They refused to acknowledge that the emperor was superior to Jesus Christ. It was as simple as that. This so infuriated the Romans that they chose one of the believers, Antipas, to teach the believers a lesson. They tortured and finally killed him, making him the first martyr in Asia that we have record of.  Jesus calls him “my faithful witness.” v 13

That martyrdom has special significance because it shows that in the city where “Satan has his throne” (v 13) the followers of Jesus overcome all opposition by clinging to their faith in Jesus even if it means death. Antipas proved that.

But all was not well.  Some of the believers did compromise and joined in the Roman festivals, probably showing that they were not enemies of Romans even though they were followers of Jesus Christ.

Jesus has one word for them, “Repent.” Compromise with Satan is sure death to spiritual life and faith in Jesus.

I wonder what Jesus would say about us believers today.  We see compromise about us all the time. Do I compromise when it comes to the uniqueness of Jesus Christ when that might be interpreted as disloyal to the culture or the State?

An uncomfortable questions arises – where is Satan’s throne today?