And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,
“These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword.”
Revelation 2:12
This title calls to mind a terrifying vision of Christ that the Apostle John had of the Lord on the Isle of Patmos. Everything seemed on fire; His face and skin shone like the sun, and His feet glowed like molten brass. He had seven stars in His right hand, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword.
I’ve seen a number of paintings trying to depict this scene, and they are all spooky. Some almost have a comic book superhero quality about them. In the end, every human illustration is distracting, because it doesn’t paralyze the viewer in awe and fear.
To me, it doesn’t matter if this description of Christ is literal or figurative. Whatever John saw brought him to his knees in submission, and that was the desired effect. When Christ dictated the letter to the church in Pergamos, He told them it was from He Who Has the Sharp Two-edged Sword. The Lord was trying to invoke the same fear and trembling from a compromising Church. They were sacrificing to idols, committing sexual immorality, and allowing false doctrine in the church. The Lord was not happy.
The next time He Who Has the Sharp Two-edged Sword appears is in Revelation 19 when He is riding on a white horse with the host of heaven behind Him to make war on the Beast and His armies. Again, the sight of Him will bring terror to the hearts of the kings, captains, and mighty men that dare oppose Him.
This battle is in the future, not very long from right now, but the certainty of the outcome has already been written down for all to see. Not to faithfully fulfill this prophesy would make God a liar, and that’s not going to happen.
He who has an ear, let him hear what He Who Has the Sharp Two-edged sword says to the churches, “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth” (Revelation 2:16).
January 12
