The Apostle John was writing to the Church in the city of Pergamum…where  1000 feet above the plain stood an immense altar to Zeus, the chief god of Greek mythology.  Despite being immersed in the oppressiveness  of false religion…John was encouraging the Believers to hold fast to their faith.  He was urging them to continue to be part of the world, but not of it… and rejoicing that they had refused to become part of this false religious cult and instead maintained their relationship with Jesus Christ.  Religious persecution takes on all kinds of faces, and Satan is a master at twisting the truth.  And just because a Church is located on the highest point of the city doesn’t mean it’s the godliest.