Den tidiga kyrkanMartyrFaithful witnessLeader of the church in Pergamum (according to tradition)c. 1st century AD
Antipas is the only Christian martyr mentioned by name in Revelation. In the letter to the church in Pergamum, Jesus honors him with the title "my faithful witness" – a designation otherwise reserved for Jesus himself. Antipas met his death in Pergamum, a city marked by intense pagan worship and emperor cult, which Jesus describes as the place "where Satan has his throne". Through his uncompromising faithfulness amid a hostile religious environment, Antipas became an example for the early church. His martyrdom illustrates the high price the first Christians paid for their confession, and Jesus' recognition of him underscores that faithfulness unto death holds eternal value in God's kingdom.
Nyckelhändelser
Honored by Jesus as a Faithful Witness
In the letter to the church in Pergamum, Jesus refers to Antipas as "my faithful witness" (Greek: ὁ μάρτυς μου ὁ πιστός). This title reflects Jesus' own title in Rev 1:5 and marks an exceptional honor given to a named believer in Scripture.
13I know where you live—where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan lives.
Antipas was killed for his faith in Pergamum, a city Jesus describes as the place "where Satan has his throne." The city was a center of emperor worship, Zeus cult, and the cult of Asclepius, so Christian confession meant direct confrontation with powerful religious and political forces.
13I know where you live—where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan lives.
In the letter to Pergamum, Jesus acknowledges the church's faithfulness and Antipas' sacrifice but rebukes them for tolerating followers of Balaam's teaching and the Nicolaitans, who encouraged idolatry and immorality. Antipas' unwavering loyalty stands in sharp contrast to the compromise threatening the church.
13I know where you live—where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan lives.
14But I have a few things against you: you have there some who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.