Revelation 2:12

These things says he who has the sharp two-edged sword. He fittingly prefaces with judicial power, who is to reward the victors and render punishment to those who err.

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,.... Of the city of Pergamos; see Gill on Rev 1:11. In it was a church of Christ, but when it begun, and how long it lasted, is not certain. Antipas, who is mentioned, Rev 2:13; is thought, by some, to have been the pastor of it. Though, according to the Apostolical Constitutions (s), Caius was the first bishop of it; and it appears, that in the "second" century there were several in this place that suffered martyrdom for Christ, as Carpus, Papulus, and a woman whose name was Agathonice (t).

The angel of the Church in Pergamos - See the description of this place, Rev 1:11. Which hath the sharp sword - See on Rev 1:16 (note). The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, cuts every way; it convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment; pierces between the joints and the marrow, divides between the soul and spirit, dissects the whole mind, and exhibits a regular anatomy of the soul. It not only reproves and exposes sin, but it slays the ungodly, pointing out and determining the punishment they shall endure.

It was capital of Attalus the Second's kingdom, which was bequeathed by him to the Romans, 133 B.C. Famous for its library, founded by Eumenes (197-159), and destroyed by Caliph Omar. Parchment, that is, Pergamena charta, was here discovered for book purposes.

YOUR attention will be principally asked to these words—"You hold fast My name and have not denied My faith." Specially note, dear Friends, at the opening of this morning's meditation the character under which the Lord Jesus Christ presents Himself to the Church at Pergamos. "These things says He which has the sharp sword with two edges." Does the Lord Jesus come to His Church in that way? Does He, at the door of the Church, bear a sword? A sword unsheathed? A sharp sword? A sharp sword with two edges? Yes, even to His visible Church this is how our Lord Jesus Christ appears. To His own spiritual and faithful ones He is to each one a husband full of unutterable tenderness and love. But to the visible Church, which at its best estate is never altogether pure, He appears in severer form. To a Church He comes as Captain of the Lord's host and He wields a sharp sword with two edges. It is the parallel of that passage where John the Baptist says of Him—"His fan is in His hand and He will thoroughly purge His floor and He will gather His wheat into His garner. But He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." That winnowing fan is never out of His hand for it is always needed. Even though our Lord is full of Divine Grace, He is also full of Truth. His love to His servants manifests itself in a burning jealousy which will not endure evil. "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver." We think of the coming of our Lord as a joy and a blessing. But, oh, remember that question, "But who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appears?" The Lord bears the sword and He bears it not in vain. Time has not blunted its edge, it is "sharp." And it has two edges, as of old. But what will He do with that sword in reference to a Church? We are not left in any doubt upon that point.

YOUR attention will be principally asked to these words—"You hold fast My name and have not denied My faith." Specially note, dear Friends, at the opening of this morning's meditation the character under which the Lord Jesus Christ presents Himself to the Church at Pergamos. "These things says He which has the sharp sword with two edges." Does the Lord Jesus come to His Church in that way? Does He, at the door of the Church, bear a sword? A sword unsheathed? A sharp sword? A sharp sword with two edges?

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos - See the notes on Rev 1:20. These things saith he which hath the sharp sword, ... - See the notes on Rev 1:16. Compare Heb 4:12; Ecc 12:11; Isa 49:2. Prof. Stuart suggests that when the Saviour, as represented in the vision, “uttered words, as they proceeded from his mouth, the halitus which accompanied them assumed, in the view of John, the form of an igneous two-edged sword.” It is more probable, however, that the words which proceeded from his mouth did not assume anything like a form or substance, but John means to represent them as if they were a sharp sword. His words cut and penetrate deep, and it was easy to picture him as having a sword proceeding from his mouth; that is, his words were as piercing as a sharp sword. As he was about to reprove the church at Pergamos, there was a propriety in referring to this power of the Saviour. Reproof cuts deep; and this is the idea represented here.