“But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.”
Revelation 2:14-16
The letters in Revelation are direct messages from the Lord Jesus to His church. This one to Pergamum is an explicit and urgent call to repentance. The letter opens with Jesus presented as holding the sharp two edged sword.
“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:11-13
The eyes of Jesus blaze with all-seeing fire. Just before Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man coming on the clouds, the scene opens like this:
“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.”
Daniel 7:9-10
In the new heaven and earth “the river of the water of life” flows from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1). But in this throne room scene, the chariot-throne of God is pouring out streams of fire in preparation for judgment. When Jesus comes back leading the armies of heaven:
“From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.”
Revelation 19:15
Swords. Fire. Books. Winepress.
“For we know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Hebrews 10:30-31
As we prepare to hear this message from the Lord Jesus, let’s pray David’s prayer:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24