Rev 2:13 -- Satan's Throne in Pergamum

In Revelations 2:13, the Messiah says that "Satan's throne" is in Pergamum, a city in western Anatolia (today called Asia Minor or Turkey). According to Strong's Concordance, the Greek word Thronos ("throne", or "seat" in KJV) indicates a seat of power, authority and government. Therefore, I believe that the simplest explanation for why the Messiah said "Satan's throne" is in Pergamum is because Pergamum was the Roman Capital -- to wit, the "seat of Roman Government" -- of Asia. Now, here is a map of the Roman province of Asia:

http://www.unrv.com/images/provinces/asiaminor.jpg​

As you can see, the Roman province of Asia encompasses all "seven churches which are in Asia" (Rev 1:4). In fact, the Messiah seems to be using the Roman name of the region, "Asia". Thus, I propose that the reason why "Satan's throne" is in Pergamamum is because Pergamum was the Roman provincial capital -- the "seat of Rome's government" of the area.

After all, Revelations refers to Rome as "the great whore that sitteth upon many waters(17:1)" and as "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (17:5)". Rome is clearly painted as the arch-enemy of God's designs, and that is satan. Therefore, Pergamum is called "Satan's throne" (Rev 2:13) simply because Pergamum was the provincial capital of Rome, the "great satan" of the first century CE.

 

This is a good link about Pergamum in Revelations:

http://www.ourfatherlutheran.net/biblehomelands/sevenchurches/pergamum/pergamum.htm​

The author points out that twice in the letter to Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17), the Messiah refers to himself as having a sword. The author then adds:

This agrees with my argument above that "Satan's throne" refers to Pergamum as the Roman capital and seat of Roman government in that province. Again, Revelations calls the Roman government the mother of all whores and abominations, and as Babylon (cf. the Tower of Babel), clearly references to "satan".