Revelation 2:12-17 is a letter from Jesus to the church in Pergamos, one of the seven churches in Asia Minor that received messages from Jesus through the apostle John.

Pergamos was a city that was known for its idolatry and emperor worship, as well as its cultural and intellectual achievements. It had a famous library of 200,000 volumes and was the place where parchment was invented. It also had temples dedicated to Zeus, Athena, Dionysus, and Asclepius, the god of healing, whose symbol was a serpent.

The letter begins with an introduction of Jesus as the one who has the sharp two-edged sword, which represents His authority and judgment (Rev. 1:12,16; cf. Heb. 4:12). He commends the church for holding fast to His name and not denying His faith, even in the midst of persecution and martyrdom. He mentions Antipas, who was a faithful witness of Jesus and was killed in Pergamos, possibly by being burned alive in a bronze bull.

However, Jesus also rebuked the church for tolerating some false teachers who followed the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. Balaam was a prophet who enticed the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and committing sexual immorality with the Moabite women (Num. 22-25). The Nicolaitans were a sect that apparently also practiced idolatry and immorality, claiming that they had freedom from the law (Rev. 2:6). Jesus warns the church to repent of these sins, or else He will come quickly and fight against them with the sword of His mouth.

He then gives a promise to those who overcome and remain faithful to Him. He will give them some of the hidden manna, which is the heavenly food that sustains the life of God’s people (Exo. 16:32-36; John 6:31-35). He will also give them a white stone with a new name written on it, which is a symbol of acceptance and identity in God’s kingdom (Isa. 62:2; Rev. 3:12).

The letter ends with an exhortation to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The message is relevant not only for the church in Pergamos but for all Christians who live in a world that is hostile to the gospel and tempted by sin. We are called to be faithful witnesses of Jesus, to resist compromise and corruption, and to look forward to the reward that He has prepared for us.

Following is a more detailed breakdown of the passage:

Verse 12: Jesus identifies Himself as the one who has the sharp, double-edged sword. This sword represents the Word of God, which is powerful and can judge both the righteous and the unrighteous (cf. Heb. 4:12f.).

Verse 13: Jesus tells the church in Pergamum that He knows where they live — where Satan has his throne. This does not mean that the church was literally located in the throne room of Satan, but it does mean that they were surrounded by pagan worship and idolatry. Despite this, the church had remained faithful to Jesus.

Verses 14-15: Jesus tells the church that He has a few things against them. He mentions two false teachings in particular: the teaching of Balaam and the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Verse 16: Jesus warns the church to repent of these false teachings or face judgment. Jesus promises to come to the church soon and to fight against the false teachers with the sword of His mouth.

Verse 17: Jesus tells the church that whoever has ears should hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He then promises a reward to the one who is victorious: some of the hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it.

The hidden manna is a reference to the manna that God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness. The white stone with a new name written on it is a symbol of victory and new life in Christ.

Revelation 2:12-17 is a reminder that Jesus is calling the church to be faithful to him, even in the face of persecution and false teachings. He is also promising a reward to those who are victorious.

Antipas was a Christian martyr who lived in the city of Pergamum in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) during the first century AD. He is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, where Jesus commends him for remaining faithful to him, even in a place where Satan has his throne (Rev. 2:13).

According to Christian tradition, Antipas was the bishop of Pergamum. He was martyred during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero (54-68 AD). According to one account, he was burned to death in a brazen bull-shaped altar.

Antipas is venerated as a saint in both the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches. His feast day is April 11.

Antipas is an example of a faithful Christian who remained true to his faith, even in the face of persecution and death. He is a reminder that Jesus is with us in all things and that He will ultimately triumph over Satan and all his works.