Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.
-- Rev 2:14 NIV
God rescued Israel out of Egypt and made her a kingdom and priests unto himself. However, they did not remain devoted to God. At Baal Peor, Moabite women enticed Israelite men to participate in an idolatrous feast according to instructions given to their king, Balak, by the false prophet Balaam. Consequently, God's anger burned against Israel. Now the saints in Pergamum have also been freed from slavery to sin and have also been made a kingdom and priests unto God. Despite dwelling where "Satan has his throne" (probably a reference to a pagan temple), most have remained true to the name of Christ and refused to renounce their faith in him (2:13). Nevertheless, some in Pergamum have been seduced by the pagan culture's promise of full participation in the economy if they would only recognize their gods by eating at the temple feasts.
The Son of Man sends a clear message to those seduced by their culture. The Lord will not tolerate any other gods. If they do not repent, he will come and slay them with the sword of his mouth. The slain will be cut off from further participation in his kingdom. On the other hand, those who heed his warning will receive "hidden manna," true food that endures unto eternal life. They will also receive a white stone with a new name engraved on it. Because white stones were sometimes used as tickets, this may mean that the faithful will be given personalized tickets to the Messianic banquet. It is more blessed to eat in the kingdom of heaven than to eat in the temples of false gods.
