The Double Edged Sword

To the Church in Pergamum

¹² “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. ¹³ I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

¹⁴ Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. ¹⁵ Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. ¹⁶ Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
¹⁷ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
 

In each of these letters it is always significant in the way it begins. It really gives you the key to understanding the letter.

For example to the Ephesians, who are given a corrective appraisal, he is represented as 'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven Gold Lampstands '. He is the one in absolute Authority and he is surveying his churches.

To the church in Smyrna who are being asked to face potential martyrdom, he is represented as 'Him who died and came to life again'.

And so to the church in Pergamum, caught up in immorality and dangerous misleading teaching, leading to idolatry and sexual immorality, he portrays himself thus;
"Him who has the sharp double edged sword "

He gives them grace to repent but threatens, if they do not, he will come and fight them with the sword of his mouth.

Prophecy is always for edification and building up. But sometimes that comes in the form of a challenge or a rebuke.

The most famous verse about the word of God is possibly Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
We are often compelled to the Hebrews verse by the Verses in Fphesians which call the word of God 'the sword of the spirit '.


God's word is prophetic, always. Whether it comes to us from a direct word, delivered through a prophet or whether it comes from reading The Word.

And sometimes we don't want the challenge. The image of Jesus fighting us with the sword of his mouth is, if we really think on it, a terrifying thing. The one who speaks love and acceptance and peace, coming to rebuke us. I shudder.

But the passage in Hebrews, so often lifted from its setting, comes in the context of a rebuke. 

Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. ~ Heb 4:7

I think we often need a rebuke, far more than encouragement. And culturally, we are unlikely to get it. But a righteous and compassionate rebuke, is not something to be feared. One that is heeded leads to life!

And we have a duty to assess ourselves by bringing our lives under the word, understanding by the spirit, and making the changes we need to. to align ourselves with God's ways and Kingship. And we will blessed.

My favourite story of Jesus is from John 8. The woman caught in adultery.

Who is without sin cast the first stone.
Judge not, we think... Lest we be judged.

But once the crowd is gone Jesus turns to her,

Where are they that accuse you?
There are none, my Lord
Then neither do I accuse you.

And in the midst of a pluralist, liberal and hedonistic society.....neither does Jesus accuse us.
Ah, there is grace. Praise God.

But then....there is the need for purity.

Now go, and leave your life of Sin.

Lord Jesus, keep us pure and keep us as yours. Untainted, and holding out the word of life. In this dark universe... Shining like stars.
Amen.