Verses 12-17: Pergamos EV 2:12-17{This Time, the Lord Presents Himself to the Angel of the Assembly in Pergamos As Having a Sharp Two-Edged Sword Proceeding Out of His Mouth. (See the Imagery of Rev. 1:16; Also Heb. 4:12.) Whether in Matters of Doctrine, Practice, or State of Soul, It Is by the Word of God That We Are to Discern and Correct Even the Minutest of Irregularities

Of necessity, the assembly had always been in the world, where Satan's throne is set; but until now, the world has been kept out of the assembly. In Pergamos, however, both Satan and the world have now found their way into the bosom of the assembly itself. Nevertheless, despite the conditions prevailing there, the Lord commends it for its faithfulness in holding fast His name and not denying His faith. He also recalls the faithfulness of Antipas, His faithful martyr, who had been slain among them, where, solemnly, Satan dwells.
Nonetheless, there are some in its midst who hold the doctrine of Balaam and, accordingly, have introduced spiritual fornication into the assembly in the form of idolatry. In an effort to increase the number of their converts, heathen unbelievers have been brought in with their idols and idolatrous practices and holy days, which latter two have been called by Christian names. Adding Judaism to these elements then, the result is an unholy admixture of Judaism, paganism, and Christianity. (For the principle, Cf. 2 Kings 17:28-41.)
Not surprisingly therefore, there are also those in its midst, Nicolaitans, who set themselves apart as possessing a superior level of spirituality, but whose practices are corrupt. There had been such in Ephesus too; but in Ephesus, their evil, which had been detected and judged, had been practiced only and not taught as a doctrine. In Pergamos however, having been tolerated over a period of time, the practice has now become a thing accepted and openly taught as a doctrine. Therefore, He warns that, if it does not repent, He will come suddenly and fight against those men with the sword that proceeds out of His mouth.
To him that overcomes then, the Lord will give to eat of the hidden manna and will give him a white stone with a new name known only to him who receives it. The overcomer in Pergamos is one who, like the Lord when here on earth, has taken a low and humble place in the midst of high and lofty pretensions and has suffered for it. With such a one, He will identify and share the enjoyment known in fellowship only to co-sufferers and give him a secret sense of His own delight and approval, even that which He knows with His Father. It would be a sweet fellowship known only to one who had been granted that favor.
Historically, Pergamos corresponds to the assembly in the fourth century. It was then that Constantine professedly converted to Christianity. He stopped the persecution and elevated the Christians to a privileged class. He bestowed large homes and vast parcels of land upon Christians and even appointed many of them to high offices in his government. Christianity was not merely tolerated, but became the favored religion of the day, which was a deathblow to the assembly's heavenly testimony in this world.