The Church at Pergamum: Where Satan has his Throne

Is it possible to remain faithful in a world where compromise is the norm—even with our wealth?

The Bible reminds us that we live in a fallen world filled with evil deeds. As 1 Samuel 24:13 says, “From evildoers come evil deeds.” Today’s culture is no different from the spiritual climate faced by the early church. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, believers are exhorted to be holy as God is holy—set apart in character and courage.

Nowhere is this call to holiness more relevant than in Jesus’ message to the church at Pergamum, found in Revelation 2. Jesus said, “I know where you live—where Satan has his throne.” This phrase speaks to the intense spiritual darkness in Pergamum, a city steeped in emperor worship, pagan altars, and moral corruption. Yet, even there, Jesus commended the church for remaining loyal to His name.

Pergamum was not only physically oppressive but also ideologically dangerous. The believers were pressured to blend into a corrupt society. While they stood firm in some ways, they were also rebuked for tolerating false teaching and compromise—especially in moral and spiritual matters.

Today, the pressure to compromise remains strong, especially in how we manage wealth. Massive corporations often profit from things that grieve the heart of God—addictions, exploitation, immorality, and oppression. So we must ask: Are we profiting from businesses that exploit rather than bless? Do our investments fuel gambling, pornography, human rights abuses, or environmental destruction?

There is a better way to invest. A holy way. One that reflects God’s justice, righteousness, and mercy. We can seek profits through human flourishing, wholesome enterprise, environmental stewardship, and redemptive impact—rather than through exploitation and compromise.

The church at Pergamum was praised for not denying Christ, even when one of their own, bishop Antipas, was martyred for his unwavering faith. Tradition holds that he was burned alive for refusing to worship the emperor. His courage stands as a call to all believers today: remain faithful, even when faithfulness costs you something.

The good news is that we, too, can stand firm. We can realign our wealth with God’s eternal purposes. We can invest to fight poverty, rescue victims of trafficking, and spread the gospel where Jesus' name is rarely spoken. There is hope, and there is victory—not just in our beliefs, but in our behavior, including how we steward God’s resources.

Ask God for wisdom today, especially in the area of investing. May your portfolio reflect the holiness of the One who calls you. And remember the words of EM Bartlett: “He loved me ’ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.”

Are you investing like someone who truly believes in that victory?