The Saviour has a sword!
Our world is covered in war. Violence is the ongoing daily pursuit of millions. The Church is also engaged in a fierce conflict, a spiritual war. The Pergamum saints were fighting a vicious battle on the front lines and were engaging the devil, the flesh, and the world from all angles. At times it seemed that the enemy was too strong and would prevail. The Lord in His infinite wisdom sent a word of encouragement and instruction to the weary soldiers. His message was clear: “I hold the sharp two-edged sword” (Rev. 2:12). At first glance it seems rather simplistic. But as we probe a little deeper, the Spirit reveals that this glimpse of divine authority, might, and justice is exactly what was needed to reach into the hearts, quelling their fears and doubts.
Three vital characteristics marked the situation at Pergamum. All three of these opposing features could be victoriously overcome by fixing their gaze on the One who has the sharp two-edged sword. The first astounding fact of their spiritual battle was their direct stand against the throne of Satan (Rev. 2:13). There is much evidence to believe that during this time Pergamum was the physical location for Satan and his allies. In a very real sense Satan dwelled where these Christians dwelled. The cult of Caesar worship had started in Pergamum and was, at that point in Roman history, the overwhelming religion of the day. This led to one choice for Christians—worship Caesar or Christ.
Satan was at His old scheme again. It wasn’t long before this that an angry mob stood before Pontius Pilate and cried, “Away with Him…we have no king but Caesar” (Jn. 19:15). Satan, attempting to rid the world of the Christ (yet fulfilling the purposes of God), moved the heart of Judas to betray the Son of God and influenced the crowd in Jerusalem to ask for Barabbas instead of their King. The Lord commends the saints for their steadfastness and willingness to defend His Name. Due to this, they had already endured tremendous persecution at the hands of this regime. It would have been virtually impossible for them to publicly speak about the Lord without coming under trials and suffering. One of their own, Antipas, had lost his life for his faith and was given a triumphant commendation by the Lord as “My faithful martyr.”
It was at this moment that the Lord compelled the saints to consider their situation in light of the sharp two-edged sword. The sword speaks of authority and rule. There is no greater opponent to God and His saints than Satan. Yet the Lord reminds the saints that despite the fierceness of the enemy and the suffering which they must endure, there is a Commander and Chief who is stronger and infinitely greater than Satan. It is the Lord of judgment and power who directs and guides their way. The final destruction of all God’s enemies will come from One who’s Name shall be written on His robe and on His thigh, “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Out of His mouth shall proceed that powerful sword and He will strike the nations (Rev 19:15-16). The Pergamum believers could hope and rejoice in the unfailing promise of their victorious Leader that He would be their portion and strength.
Consider the opposition of Satan today. He has free reign in the hearts and lives of the men and women of this world. He purposes to influence perishing souls against our Saviour and move them to choose the false gods of this world. Our Lord Jesus Christ is calling us to stand and defend His Name. To charge against our great rival and cry, “The battle is the Lord’s!” (1 Sam. 17:47); to commit our lives at all cost, even death, in order that His Name be proclaimed throughout the earth. Let us take up His cause, laying down the arsenal of selfishness, strife, complacency, and self-worth. Let us hold fast to the Word of God. He is our Captain and Leader. He must be followed obediently into every battle. Therein lies our victory. Therein lies our hope.
The second instruction to Pergamum was a word of rebuke and correction (Rev. 2:14). The church elders had let certain false teachers slip into their midst. They were teaching false doctrine and leading the Christians astray into false practices. First, the doctrine of Balaam was more destructive to the Christians than the physical persecution of Satan. While many in the church were “hold[ing] fast” to the Name of the Lord, they had also allowed others to “hold” this false teaching. It was their lack of action against this error that the Lord rebuked. Balaam’s teaching was simple—enjoy the pleasures of sin and still maintain a religious attitude. These teachers were encouraging the saints to “broaden” their sphere of social enjoyment while at the same time continuing to worship the Lord and defend His cause. The result was wayward Christians whose love for Christ had all but vanished, who were saturated with the things of this world.
Second, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans had also infiltrated the church and was allowed to go on unjudged (Rev. 2:15). This doctrine was quite different from that of Balaam which encouraged the saints to “use [their] liberty as an opportunity for the flesh” (Gal. 5:13, NKJV). The Nicolaitans were introducing a formal, legislated structure into the church which would restrict their freedom in Christ. This resulted in a hierarchy of authority separating the Christians into spiritual classes of people. Men who wanted position and power within the church twisted Scripture and undermined the priesthood of all believers. Men who considered themselves greater than the masses of Christians began to rule and bring in selfish teachings which stripped away the effectiveness of their testimony. It is interesting to note that in both references to the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2:6, 15), the Lord says He hates their doctrine. God hates false teaching and the division, disobedience, and impurity it brings into His Church.
Against this acceptance of false teaching, the Lord again presents Himself with the two-edged sword, this time speaking not of authority, but of truth. There is only one weapon against false teaching and that is God’s Word. Christ brings to our minds the indisputable fact that His Word must prevail in all matters. The Enemy cannot hope to stand against the proper use of the sword of the Spirit. When being tempted by Satan in the wilderness, our Lord used only the Word of God (Lk. 4) and Satan fled. The Pergamum saints are here instructed to examine the teachings of Scripture and to remove those who would insist on other views. God’s Word is to be the only ruling authority and it must not be kept from His people.
Our assemblies ought to be marked out by a banner of truth stemming from being saturated with God’s Word. How many of us have a good grip on this divine sword? Ignorance of the Scriptures provides the Enemy with countless opportunities to inflict damage on the Church and upon the reputation of her Master.
But ignorance isn’t the only danger. Too often troubles in the church stem, not from a lack of knowledge of the Scriptures, but from those who would use the Bible for fleshly ends: proud men who use the Word of God against other saints to gain control; teachers who, in order to please the masses, compromise undeniable truth and soften the gospel. God’s Word must not only be well-known to each of us, but it must be clearly communicated through the church (“the pillar and ground of the truth”) so that all may enter into the good of it and be protected from the lies and schemes of the Devil. In combating the forces of Satan, we will only be victorious when we go forward with the sword of the Spirit firmly in our grasp.
The final word from the Lord to His precious saints was “repent.” His will was not to execute instant judgment on these wicked teachers, but rather that they would determine to submit to His Word and come in repentance to Him. Repentance is a liberating action which renews the bonds of fellowship and restores the soul’s condition. When we repent, we judge our own hearts in light of His authority and truth, presenting our sin and failure before Him. It is not a ritual but a heartrending decision to lay down our selfish ambitions and lusts, and focus singularly on His glory. Repentance brings forgiveness. God no longer holds the guilt of our sin over our heads but enjoys communion with us again. In spite of the failings of the Pergamum church, the Lord reminded them of greater things—His forgiveness and love. In humility of heart, they needed to submit to the Word, bow before Him, and renew the fellowship He so earnestly longed to enjoy with them.
The battle is clear. The enemy is attacking. The Church has a flawless campaign manual. Her Commander has never lost a fight and is out in front to guide His troops to sure victory. As we picture this scene, how do we view ourselves in the battle? Are we listening for the commands of our Captain? Are we seeking instruction from our guide book? Are we willing to lay all on the line and count the cost as we face the enemy? With a heart of humility and repentance, a commitment to His holy Word, and a dedicated determination to follow His authority, may we seek to bring glory and honor to His precious Name!
Written by Crawford Paul