Pergamum was a small Ionian city which was first mentioned in connection with Lysimachos, one of the generals of Alexander the Great. In the book of Revelation St John spoke out to the Christian citizens of Pergamum:

Pergamum

(2:12) To the angel of the church in Pergamum write : This is the message from the one who has the sharp two-edged sword.
(2:13) I know where you live, there where Satan has his throne. You are true to me, and you did not abandon your faith in me even during the time when Antipas, my faithful witness, was killed there where Satan lives.
(2:14) But there are a few things I have against you : there are some among you who follow the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak how to lead the people of Israel into sin by persuading them to eat food that had been offered to idols and to practice sexual immorality.
(2:15) In the same way you have people among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
(2:16) Now turn from your sins! If you don't, I will come to you soon and fight against those people with the sword that comes out of my mouth.
(2:17) If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches! To those who win the victory I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give each of them a white stone on which is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.

Laodicea 

   Laodicea (Eskihisar) was probably founded by King Antiochus II who named the city after his wife Laodice. Before the Christian era in the city, there were wealthy Jewish communities living in the region. However most of the inhabitants worshipped Zeus. St John wrote the message of God to the church of Laodicea in the Revelation Book as:

(3:14) To the angel of the church in Laodicea write : This is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the origin of all that God has created.
(3:15) I know what you have done; I know you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other!
(3:16) But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth!
(3:17) You say, 'I am rich and well off; I have all I need.' But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind.
(3:18) I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness.
(3:19) I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins.
(3:20) Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his house and eat with him, and he will eat with me.
(3:21) To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his throne.
(3:22) If you have ears, then, listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches!

Ephesus 

   Ephesus was mentioned in Acts 19-20 because of St John's ministry in Ephesus. It is the second pilgrimage center for Christians which was also home to Virgin Mary and St John. St John spoke out to the people of Ephesus:

(2:1) To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven gold lamp stands.
(2:2) I know what you have done; I know how hard you have worked and how patient you have been. I know that you can not tolerate evil man and that you have tested those who say they are apostles but are not, and have found out that they are liars.
(2:3) You are patient, you have suffered for my sake, and you have not given up.
(2:4) But this is what I have against you : you do not love me now as you did at first.
(2:5) Think how far you have fallen! Turn from your sins and do what you did at first. If you don't turn from your sins, I will come to you and take your lamp stand from its place.
(2:6) But this is what you have in your favor : you hate what the Nicolaitans do, as much as I do.
(2:7) If you have ears, then, listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches! To those who win the victory I will give the right to eat the fruit of the tree of life that grows in the Garden of God.

<<<BACK