Jesus Knows Where We Dwell
Coming now to our third installment in this series on the seven churches of Asia, we arrive at the church at Pergamum (Rev 2.12-17). Once again we have a church that receives a great commendation—in this case that they hold fast Christ’s name and did not deny his faith even when at least one among them was killed (vs.13). What stands out in this commendation, however, is that Jesus says that he knows where they dwell, which is “where Satan’s throne is,” and “where Satan dwells.” This is a very unusual statement, and I cannot think of anywhere else in the Bible that speaks quite this way of Satan’s sphere of influence (except perhaps Rev 3.9. And as cryptic as it might be, there is at least one powerful lesson we might glean from this, and that is that Jesus knows where we dwell.
What I think that means is that Jesus knows our situation and circumstances. If we ever think that God doesn’t understand us, or doesn’t take into account the circumstances surrounding our lives, we need to think again. He sees all, from the condition of our own heart, to the level of our own ability, to the influence of the outward circumstances that might lead to our failures. Perhaps there are two points that can be made from this, which are sort of the opposite sides of the same coin. The first is that we cannot make excuses for our sin. If we fail because the temptation is so strong or we are so weak, do we think that God does not know that when he holds us accountable? He knows “where we dwell.” As it says in 1 Cor 10.13, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure.” So we cannot say we were too weak or the temptation too strong. When we sin, we cannot blame the circumstances, Satan, our own weakness, or God. And if God calls us to account, he already knows where we dwell. He already knows our circumstances, even better than we do.
On the other side of the coin, however, is the fact that God will take into account any “mitigating circumstances.” That is, if we have endured a greater trial or temptation than someone else, God knows that too. If our struggle against sin is unusually difficult due to the circumstances in which we live, I am confident that God will take that into account in his judgments. I’m not suggesting a contradiction here. We can’t make excuses, but perhaps God can on our behalf. We know that God is full of grace and compassion. He is patient and longsuffering. He is understanding and forgiving. And he knows where we dwell. He knows our heart, and he knows if we are trying. He certainly takes into account our maturity level, our ability, and the circumstances. I’ve stated myself that God doesn’t grade on a curve. That’s true in the sense that favor with God is not based on how we measure in relation to others (e.g., “I’m not as bad as so-and-so, therefore I’m saved”). But then again, he “grades us” each individually, and no doubt in relation to the circumstances of our lives.
While we can only guess what Jesus meant by the words, “where Satan’s throne is” and “where Satan dwells”, no doubt it refers to their circumstance of undergoing a severe trial and relentless temptation. Rather than thinking of a literal throne or dwelling place, or even the literal center of Satan’s activity, it may simply refer to the unusual strength of the persecution, or the extreme temptation to succumb to the ways of the culture around them (think of Lot in Sodom, for example). Most likely it refers to both. And while our experience might differ somewhat from those in 1st century Pergamum, perhaps we similarly live where Satan dwells. The internet, TV, movies, magazines, etc., have combined with the world’s increasingly immoral standards to make for very strong and relentless temptation. And while this offers us no lame excuse, we can rest assured that Jesus knows where we dwell.
© 2008 Randy Hohf