Revelation Chapter 2, Verse 13 (NIV)

^2:13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

I know where you live—where Satan has his throne.

The city of Pergamus was the center of idol and emperor worship. This put the Christian at great risk. The forces of idolatry, learning and celebrity were very strong. So strong that this city was considered to be where Satan's throne was.

Satan, as a created being, does not have the qualities of God. He is NOT

* omniscient

Satan is not all knowing. He does have an active organization of fallen angels and demons. They continually capture people who leave themselves open to their entrance. Sometimes they even hinder men of God from receiving answers or help to their prayers (Daniel 10:10-14, 20-21).

* omnipotent

Satan is not all powerful. He does have a number of thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, rulers and wicked spirits in high places. (Ephesians 6:12, Colossians 1:16, and Colossians 2:15).

* omnipresent

Satan is limited to being at only one place at one time. Pergamus, apparently, was the location of one of his thrones. Job indicates that Satan roams about the earth - Job 1:6-7. As a spirit entity, Satan has power in the air too (Ephesians 2:2). Satan is called the "ruler of this world" in John 12:27-32. However, he can only be at one place at a time...he moves fast though and has many helpers in the form of evil spirits and demons within humans.

You did not renounce your faith in me,

PRAISE THE LORD! Even in all this Satanistic realm, Christ complements the members of the church at Pergamum for raising His name and not denying the faith. It is the same complement given to those who do not take the MARK of the beast (Revelation 14:12).

not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

The term "faithful witness" is used with Jesus Christ right at the beginning of Revelation in Revelation 1:5. Later in Revelation, there are two witnesses of the Messiah in Revelation 11:3 so that all the Jews may know. The spirit told the Smyrna church that the person who is "faithful until death" would be given the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).