REVELATION 2:12-17
about a thousand feet in the midst of the city. Temple after temple had been built upon it. For example, there was a temple to
Asclepius, a serpent-like god of healing. It was famous for its college of medical priests. But the most famous pagan altar
was built to Zeus. It was an overpowering sight, built on a huge ledge that jutted out and towered above the city. It was the
largest, most ornate, and most famous altar in the world. It was forty feet high and ninety feet square. The church knew what
it was to live in a pagan society, as though Satan’s seat itself was there (v.13). They knew what it was to be persecuted
(v.13). But they also knew what it was to place their faith in Him with the two-edged sword (v.12). They knew Him who
could provide the true spiritual manna (v.17) and assure them a new name in the future (v.17).
3. Pergamos was the imperial and administrative center of Asia. As such, it was the first city in Asia to openly support
imperial worship, that is, the worship of the state and its leader. What happened was this: Rome’s conquest of the world had
brought about peace by which food and trade and prosperity could more easily be secured. Life became much easier and
more comfortable for many. As a result, a Roman spirit arose in many quarters. Roman government capitalized on this unify-
ing spirit and began to center it in the Emperor Caesar himself. Gradually the government erected temples, altars, and images
in Caesar’s honor and he became a god. Finally, a law was issued requiring every citizen throughout the empire to go to the
temple once a year and bow and say, “Caesar is Lord.” To prove that a man had performed this loyal act to Rome, a written
certificate was required to be in his possession. The church again knew what Christ meant when He claimed to be the One
with the “two-edged sword” (v.12). They took great confidence in the fact that He knew “where they dwelt” (v.13). They
knew what it was to live where “Satan’s seat is” (v.13), and what it was to suffer martyrdom because they refused to deny
Christ (v.13).


2
(2:12) Jesus Christ—Church: there is the speaker, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. A church that is corrupted by
worldliness is committing a very serious crime against Christ. It is such a critical matter that Christ Himself delivers this
message to the church. And note how Christ describes Himself: He is the One who has the sharp two-edged sword in His
mouth. This means at least two things.
1. The sword of His mouth means His Word, the Word of God. The one thing needed in a worldly church is the Word
of God.
g159 The Word of God is sharp: it will cut through the most worldly and hardened heart. It will convict and
convince the worldly of their sins and cut a sharp gash, separating the sinner from his sin.
g159 The Word of God is a two-edged sword: it proclaims the law of God and the utter necessity of living a
righteous life or else facing judgment and destruction. On the other side it proclaims the love and grace of
God to those who separate from the world and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. As Matthew Henry says:
“There is an edge to make a wound, and an edge to open a festered wound in order to its healing” (Matthew
Henry’s Commentary, Vol.6. Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell, p.1127.)

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God” (Eph.6:17).
“And then shall that Wicked [antichrist] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume
with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming”
(2 Th.2:8).
“For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is
a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb.4:12).
“And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged
sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (Rev.1:16).

2. The sword of His mouth means the power and judgment of His Word. As shall be seen in the next note, the believ-
ers in Pergamos were being persecuted and some were even being martyred for their faith. Some government officials were
misusing the power of the sword or execution. They were slaying innocent people, in particular believers who refused to de-
ny Christ. Jesus Christ is proclaiming that the power of His sword—the power of His Word—is far greater. He holds the
power of life and death over all men. He can speak the Word and snatch the life away from any person. Therefore, all men
must heed this message. Those who do evil are hereby warned.

“Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my
mouth” (Rev.2:16).

Note another point as well: this is a great promise to believers. If the Word of Christ is all powerful, then Christ can look
after and take care of us no matter what confronts us. His power, the sword of His Word, is able to strengthen, deliver, and
save us. And if it is our time to leave this world, His Word is able to transfer us right into God’s presence to live perfected
forever and ever.

“Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet de-
liver us” (2 Cor.1:10).
“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly
kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever” (2 Tim.4:18).
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took
part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the
devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage”
(Heb.2:14-15).
15
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