are also mentioned in connection with the church in Pergamon (2:15); see Excursus 2A: The Nicolaitans. Some have regarded the Nicolaitans as a symbolic rather than a historical designation, primarily because apocalyptic literature rather consistently avoids the actual names of protagonists and antagonists. While this is generally true, Rev 2–3 is only apocalyptic because it is linked to Rev 4:1–22:5, which clearly belongs to the apocalyptic genre. It is worth noting in this connection that the name