| THE SPIRIT TO PERGAMUM |
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| 12 “To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: “He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things: |
| Rev 2:12 The One who has the sharp two edge sword – the Spirit of Christ is manifest as the sanctified body of Christ, the Rider on the White Horse, in Rev 19:15, where a “sword” proceeds from His mouth. |
| 13 “I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. |
| Rev 2:13 where Satan’s throne is – it is difficult to know exactly why this was said. Pergamum was a center of idolatry and the place of many idols. Some say Pergamum was symbolic of the harlotrous Rome. Antipas My witness – Antipas means “against the father.” There is a legend that Antipas was burned inside a brass bull. Antipas or Antipappas means “against the Pope,” and may have this symbolic meaning in this City that can symbolize harlotrous Rome. |
| 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. |
| Rev 2:14 You have some who hold the teaching of Balaam – the story of Balaam and King Balak is found in Numbers Chapters 22-25, in Num 25:1, where the Israelites began to have relations with the daughters of Moab. Through this harlotry, the Israelites began to bow down to false gods. The implication is that some had began to marry non-believers (2 Cor 6:16), and through this returned to pagan worship. |
| 15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans in the same way. |
| Rev 2:15 the teaching of the Nicolatians – again, this is the pollution of false gods, and sexual immorality, we discussed at verse 6. The influence of pagan religion, and the comparison to harlotrous Rome, is the theme of the admonition to this Church. |
| 16 Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. |
| Rev 2:16 with the sword of My mouth – the Spirit of Christ, will make war as against Mystery Babylon in Chapter 19, against the nations that have corrupted the gospel through the influence of pagan religion. |
| 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it. |
| Rev 2:17 A white stone and a new name which no one knows but he who receives it – in Rev 2:28, the Spirit of Christ tells the saints He will give them the morning star. The Spirit of Christ is the morning star, and the “stone” having seven eyes, described in Zech 3:9. In Zechariah, we read that there is an “inscription on it,” and this stone “will remove the iniquity of the land in one day.” Through the cross, Christ gave the saints a new name, through the forgiveness of their sin. The white colour symbolises the righteousness of Christ that is received by the saints. |
