Raising the Standard of Absolute Truth (Rev. 2:12-17)

We are in great company when we raise the standard of absolute Truth. The Lord Jesus is the One who consistently did it. We learn from Him. In Revelation 2:12-17 He addresses the church of Pergamos and identifies Himself as the One who "hath the sharp sword with two edges." In 1:16 that sword comes out of His mouth. This would be grotesque if taken literally. It is God's symbolic way of describing His holy Word coming out of Christ's mouth with power (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12). God's Word is extremely sharp and, when used defensively, it protects the Christian against Satan and false teachers. But it is used offensively too, cutting down enemies and destroying them and their principles. This application of God's Word was what was needed by the congregation in Pergamos for they were tolerating false teaching. In applying His Word, Christ was raising the standard of absolute Truth (John 17:17). It is what we need to do in our day of religious pluralism.

In Rev. 2:13, then, His Word is encouraging. (1) He knew that they lived in a hostile and difficult place - "even where Satan's seat is." Pergamos was an idolatrous center; and to declare oneself in that place a Christian who worships the one true God and Savior, Jesus Christ, would certainly provoke hostility. (2) Also He commended them for their loyalty to His "name." His name refers to all that He is revealed to be. In this context the name of the martyr Antipas (lit. "against all") is brought up. He is mentioned between the two references to Satan, indicating that his death was instigated by the enmity of pagans in Pergamos. On the one hand Satan persecutes the saints to undermine their loyalty to Christ; but on the other hand, Christ's Word strengthens that loyalty by commending those who are true to Him and by exposing those who are deceitful. God's Word does that. It is meant to encourage us.

In Rev. 2:14-15 His Word is rebuking. Although some in the church had followed Antipas and did not deny Christ's name, others followed a different path. They held to the teaching and practice of the Balaamites and Nicolaitans that Christ hates (2:6). These two doctrinal systems could very well be the same. Their names mean the same. "Balaam" can mean to "conquer the people" (Heb. ba'al'am), which means the same as Nicolaitans. And they are mentioned together in this letter. In fact, the error in the church at Thyatira through the teaching of the woman Jezebel may also be similar to this one. In both letters the compromising practices of fornication and idolatry are named as the deadly effects of the false teaching (Rev. 2:14, 20). Like Israel in the days of Balaam and Jezebel, the church in Pergamos was being deceived; it was an unconscious revolution. Apparently some Christians at Pergamos were still participating in the pagan, holiday festivities and saw no wrong in indulging in the "harmless" beds in the temples and the sexual excitement everyone else was enjoying. Since Satan's chief method is deception , his devices are not known until they are clearly pointed out. The Word of Christ does just that (2 Cor. 4:2-4). He clearly points out their sin; He rebukes them; He exposes sin. When the Word of God is faithfully taught, Christians will be encouraged and sin will be exposed.

In Rev. 2:16 His Word is correcting. The Word of God tells sinners that they must "repent." The saints in Pergamos must repent or the Lord would come in personal judgment. They were to turn about from their evil practices, repudiate their wrong and practice the right. Since those who did not indulge in either religious fornication or idolatry tolerated their practice among them, they, too, along with the guilty, needed to repent. The Lord would "come unto thee quickly." This is not His Second Coming but a personal visitation of judgment on the church. Those who taught and practiced evil would suffer the consequences. Here again the Word of God shall be used, for the Savior said He would "fight against them" with the sword of His mouth. Men may deny absolute Truth today but they must deal with it in the day of accounting (John 12:48).

Finally in Rev. 2:17 His Word is challenging. Using three symbols of "hidden manna," "a white stone," and "a new name," Christ offers Himself to Christians who are tempted to compromise their loyalty to Him in order to gain the favor of the pagan gods. The Bible is filled with promises and invitations to lure Christians from the world to receive Christ as the power needed to overcome.


The Bible Verses for Today: 2 Tim. 3:16-17: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. "



Your Step for Today: Write down any sin that the Lord is now exposing in your life. Name ways that he wants you to correct it.



Prayer for Today: Father, your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Guide me in the ways of holiness that you my be pleased in me.