It seems that, despite their faith in the new Christian religion, some believers in Pergamum were still following practices that St John considered dangerous. One of these was known as the heresy of Balaam. This teaching is mentioned in the Book of Revelation and refers back to events described in the Old Testament.
The Book of Numbers (chapters 22–25 and 31:16) tells the story in detail. After leaving Egypt, the Israelites wandered through the wilderness on their journey to the Promised Land. During this time, they defeated the Amorites and settled near the land of the Moabites. The Moabite king, Balak, feared that his people would be destroyed just as the Amorites had been. In his fear, he sent for the prophet Balaam and asked him to curse the Israelites Thyateira and the Battle of Magnesia.
Balaam and the Fall into Sin
Balaam tried several times to curse the Israelites, but each time God prevented him from doing so. He was unable to speak words of destruction against them. However, even though Balaam could not curse Israel directly, the biblical tradition suggests that he later found another way to harm them.
Although the Bible does not explain exactly how this happened, the Israelites began to mix with the Moabites. They entered into sexual relations with Moabite women and took part in their religious practices. As a result, they ate food that had been sacrificed to foreign gods and began to worship them. These actions led the Israelites away from their covenant with God.
Over time, the word “prostitution” gained its broader modern meaning, but in this ancient context it often referred to ritual or cultic prostitution. The worship of the Semitic god Baal required sexual acts as part of religious ceremonies. For St John, these practices were a clear betrayal of faith.
The Teaching of the Nicolaitans
In Pergamum there were also Christians who followed the teaching of the Nicolaitans, just as there were in Ephesus. Although the exact beliefs of this group are not fully known, early Christian writers describe them as people who encouraged moral compromise. They believed Christians could take part in pagan rituals, including eating food sacrificed to idols, without harming their faith Sofia City Tour.
St John strongly opposed this view. To him, such behavior weakened the Christian community and blurred the line between faith in Christ and pagan worship.
A Call to Repentance
After identifying the problems within the church of Pergamum, St John calls those who hesitate or waver to repent. He warns that if they do not change their ways, Christ will come against them with the sword of his mouth. This image again refers to the Second Coming of Christ and the power of divine judgment through God’s word.
The sword is not a physical weapon but a symbol of truth and judgment. It represents the authority of Christ to separate faithfulness from error.
The Promise to the Faithful
Despite these warnings, the letter also offers hope. Those believers who remain faithful and do not eat food sacrificed to idols are promised a great reward. They will receive the hidden manna, recalling the food God gave the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. This manna represents spiritual nourishment that will last forever.
Each faithful believer will also receive a white amulet with a new name written on it. This name is a name of honor and glory, known only to the one who receives it. It symbolizes a new identity and a close personal relationship with God.
