TEXT: REVELATION 2:12-17
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith , even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
MESSAGE:
Today, we are coming to a special letter the Lord sent to the church in Pergamos. At the end of the letter, He said, He that has ears, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. Look at this way, if the Lord were to send a message from heaven to you, what message will it be? Will it be the one to the church in Ephesus, Smyrna or this one to the church in Pergamos? Will it be the one to the church at Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, or Laodicea? If the Lord were to send a message to you from John the Beloved, how will you receive it? We are looking at the message to the church at Pergamos today.
In vs 13, the Lord said, “I know thy works…” If He were talking to you, He will be saying the same thing because He is omniscient, He knows all things about you, me, and the church.
vs 14. We see that something was wrong about this church and the Lord would like to correct them so that the members can be ready for His coming. If the Lord were to speak to you, would you want Him to be direct, telling you the exact situation? Or will you be offended how the Lord or John said it? John did not say what he wanted, he wrote what the Lord gave him to write.
Some people get offended with their pastors when they preach, but they should know that it is not the pastor, it is the word from the Lord. You do not want your pastor to abandon the word of the spirit from our Saviour and God and tell you things from his own mind or blunt the edge of the sharp sword. God-centered merchandise.
vs 16. The Lord wants everything to be put in order so that all the things that were wrong, that brought controversy to the church, to the pastor and the ministers can be cleared away.
vs 16. “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth”. Loving, merciful, kind and compassionate Christ? When we believe in Him, when we tow the line and obey Him, and we are living by grace and in righteousness, we see His love, compassion and promises being fulfilled. But when we derail, go astray and allow corruption, evil and the works of the flesh to spread, He said He will come and fight us with the sword of His mouth. Gift baskets
Now in vs 17, the Lord is talking to the real Christian, the overcomer, faithful and loyal, He is promising to give him who overcomes the hidden manna, and a white stone with a new name written on it which no man knows except he who received it.
- The Consummate Commander And Conqueror, The Permanent Christ Revelation 2:12
The One writing to us is our Saviour, Sanctifier, the One who was dead and is alive again. He has conquered death, Satan, evil, the world and everything. He is Lord over all.
The churches must have been surprised because Apostle John was on the island of Patmos where he was banished and incarcerated and yet, he knew the condition of all the churches. It was not his knowledge, he was writing the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the church. He wrote exactly what he heard without editing or making them more acceptable. That was the faithfulness of John and what every minister must do. When we receive the word of God, we will not examine and say it is not smooth or acceptable enough, or fear that some people might frown at it.
My brother and sister, as a minister and preacher, study and read the word of God, and make proper application of it. Do not smoothen the rough edges and do not take away the sharp edge of the sword. Give it exactly the way you have received it.
- The Sharp Sword Conquering All Adversaries. Revelation 2:16
When the angel accosted Balaam on his way to meet Balak, he had a sharp sword in his hand. The angel asked him why he hit his ass, and that if not for the ass, he would have killed Balaam with the sword in his hand. The sword is the sword of judgment against the adversary. The angel called Balaam an adversary as also came against him as an adversary. The same thing you will find in the word of God.
