Revelation 2:12-17 Series

Revelation 2:12-17

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

Jesus this time sends a letter to the church in Pergamum which was a Greek city in what is now within the country of Turkey.

Jesus here is referred to as “him who has the sharp two-edged sword. There are other places which refer to Jesus in this way as well. There is great significance to a sword and Jesus in scripture so we want to give it the attention it deserves.

First in Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The word of God is not only a statement about scripture but we can also attribute it to Jesus being He is the word.

In this verse in Hebrews 4:12 the double edged sword (Jesus) is used on us as believers, that is that the word of God (Jesus) is used to transform us as if by cutting away the old and separating it from the new, the old self or nature from the new self and nature.

In Revelation 19:15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron.

In Revelation 19:15, it is Jesus who comes riding out of heaven on a white horse with a sword coming out of His mouth to strike down the nations. Striking down the nations does as well include striking down all who attempt to get in His way within those nations. He will become ruler of all and every knee will bow to Him.

Jesus came as lamb ready to be slaughtered but He will come again as a lion regaining the earth as His kingdom and securing it for all believers.

13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

Pergamum was known as a very sinful place with many temples and many false prophet's and god's being worshiped.

Even though this church was within such a sinful city they stood firm not buckling to those there that persecuted them as they did the faithful servant Antipas.

This description of this church should give us an indication that they didn't keep their faith within the walls of this church, but rather they must have brought their faith into the city sharing the gospel even at the cost of death.

So far so good but Jesus is about to bring them the bad news. Even though they are Christians they are still fallible people as we are today.

14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

Balaam was a false prophet in the Old Testament who at least at some point deceived some Jews and caused great harm. We could easily replace Balaam today with many different people who have done great harm and deceived so many in the church. Look at all the TV evangelists and pastors of some of these famous megachurches who have done much the same of harming Christ by deceiving people. Christ will give them no lenience when the day comes because they are a stumbling block to the truth of Christ.

Eating food sacrificed to false gods was something brought up by Paul but in a different circumstance. Here These people who go to this church but as well worship a false prophet and false gods and idols and they eat of this food in worship of these false things. Again we could replace these things with many different things today which take people away from Christ at least in part.

But Christ doesn't want just part of us, He demands all of us not just our scraps. It is all or nothing with Christ and all the things self professing Christians give more to before Christ they should not be surprised if Christ says I never knew you.

15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

The Nicolaitans mentioned here are these people talked about in verse fourteen. Notice that Jesus isn't just telling these Nicolaitans to repent, Jesus is telling the entire church to repent. You may ask why but it should be obvious, this church let the church be corrupted by these people. That's why we should be cautious in the church to keep watch of these wolves in sheep's clothing.