Revelation 2: 12-17  This letter is to the church at Pergamum.   Jesus greets this church with this description of Himself.. "The One who has the sharp two-edged sword... "   In John's vision recorded in 1:16,  Jesus has this sword coming out of His mouth.  Scripture tells us that this depicts the Word of God.  Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."  Ephesians 6:17 also tells us that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God.  Isaiah prophesied that the coming Messiah would have this sword...  ".. And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword." (49:2) 

The Word of God - Truth incarnate - speaks to this church about the need to stay faithful to the Truth and not compromise.  But the sword not only reminds us of the truth of God's Word, but of the judgement that will come upon those who turn from it. Ezekiel wrote, "Thus says the Lord, ' Behold I am against you; and I shall draw My sword out of its sheath and cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.'"  The Lord tells Ezekiel to "groan with breaking heart and bitter grief.. "  The judgement of God is coming and it will cause " every heart" to melt.  "All hands will be feeble , every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water." (Ezekiel 21) God's judgement is severe and we must take His warnings seriously.. with groaning and grief.

The problem in Pergamum was that they failed to deal with those who "hold the teaching of Balaam" and to those who held "the teaching of the Nicolaitans".   The city was filled with idolatry. It was the place that had a temple dedicated to the Roman Emperor, Augustus, and it was the place where an immense altar to Zeus dominated the hillside.  The church was commended for holding fast in this place where "Satan's throne is". But, they failed when it came to this false teaching. Both  the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolatians led the believers to gross immorality.  Jesus called them to repent!  

Jesus will fight for Truth.  He will destroy the deceivers.  He will not abide with compromise when it comes to the Word of God. The purity of His Bride is at stake...  The world's standards today threaten to lead the modern  church to compromise.  We see it all the time.. especially in the area of relationships outside of marriage, that is the biblical definition of marriage- between one man and one woman.  The lies are being fed to our children and grandchildren.. at school, online, and unfortunately even in some churches. Jesus calls the Church to be separate from the world's standards which are lies..  

I have a  couple of quotes that I want to share here, but I don't remember the source, forgive me.. .. "But worldliness does not make the gospel look attractive; it makes it look impotent.. "A church that is just like the world has nothing to offer to the world - it's merely one more disposable entertainment.." and "how could they think such worldliness could be offer to God as worship.. " God desires Truth in our churches.. Pergamum allowed heretics and deceivers to remain in the church unaddressed and unabated.  We must stay alert and aware to not allow the same!

Jesus promises that those who "overcome" will be given three things.. " some of the hidden manna.. a white stone.. and a new name.."  There is not a clear meaning given to these three things, but it is believed by scholars to indicate that the overcomers will be accepted by Christ Himself..  a glorious promise for eternity.. His Bride, pure and perfect.. unstained by the compromise of worldliness... partaking of His gifts forever. 

Father in heaven, Your Word is True. We want to keep walking in this Truth without compromise.  Help us to recognize and deal with all deceptions and lies. Bring Your church to repentance and prepare us for the war to come. We know that worldliness and sinfulness is increasing. Strengthen us by Your power to keep standing firm. We ask this in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the One who has the two-edged sword. Amen.