Revelation 2:12

12 And to the angel of the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} in Pergamos write; These things, saith he, who has the sharp sword with two edges:

Revelation 2:12 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 2:12

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write
Of the city of Pergamos, (See Gill on Revelation 1:11). In it was a church of Christ, but when it begun, and how long it lasted, is not certain. Antipas, who is mentioned, ( Revelation 2:13 ) ; is thought, by some, to have been the pastor of it. Though, according to the Apostolical Constitutions F19, Caius was the first bishop of it; and it appears, that in the "second" century there were several in this place that suffered martyrdom for Christ, as Carpus, Papulus, and a woman whose name was Agathonice F20. Attalus, the martyr, who suffered in the same century, was also a native of this place F21. In the "fifth" century there was a bishop of Pergamos in the council at Ephesus; and in the "sixth" century, there was one in the "fifth" synod at Constantinople; and in the "seventh" century, Theodorus, bishop of the church here, was in the sixth synod held at the same place; and in the "eighth" century one Pastilas was bishop of Pergamos; and in the same age, Basil, bishop of this place, was in the Nicene synod {w}; and the Christian name now is not wholly, though almost extinct; for when our countryman, Dr. Smith F24, was there, there was a little church called St. Theodore's, whither a priest was frequently sent from Smyrna, to perform divine service, there being but a very few Christian families in it. This church represents the church from the time of Constantine, and onward, rising up to, and enjoying great power, riches, and honour Pergamos signifies high and lofty; things that were sublime and lofty, were, by the Greeks, called (ta pergama) , and also all high and lofty towers F25. It was built under a very high and steep mountain, upon the top of which a tower was erected, by the lords of the lesser Asia, which still continues F26. The church it represents had its principal seat at Rome, where Satan dwelt, ( Revelation 2:13 ) ; which signifies exalted likewise; and it introduces the man of sin, antichrist, the popes of Rome, who exalted themselves above all that is called God, princes, kings, and emperors; whom they excommunicated, dethroned, trod upon their necks, kicked off their crowns, and obliged them to hold their stirrups while they mounted their horses, with other haughty action, too many to name.

These things, saith he, which hath the sharp sword with two edges:
of which (See Gill on Revelation 1:16); This title is used partly to show, that the only weapon this church, and the true ministers and members of it had, to defend themselves against the growing corruptions of antichrist, who in this interval rose up by degrees, and was revealed, and came to the height of his power, was the word of God, the Scriptures of truth; and partly to show, that in process of time, though not in this period, the man of sin should be destroyed, with the breath of Christ's mouth, and the brightness of his coming; of which his fighting against the Nicolaitans, with the sword of his mouth, ( Revelation 2:16 ) ; is an emblem.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 L. 7. c. 46.
F20 Euseb. Eccl. Hist. l. 4. c. 15.
F21 Ib. l. 5. c. 1.
F23 Hist. Eccl. Magdeburgh. cent. 5. c. 2. p. 3. cent. 6. c. 2. p. 4. cent. 7. c. 2. p. 3. c. 10. p. 254. cent. 8. c. 2. p. 4.
F24 Notitia, p. 120.
F25 Servius in Virgil. Aeneid. l. 1. p. 403, & l. 2. p. 633. Ed Basil. 1586.
F26 Smith. Notitia, p. 112.

Revelation 2:12 In-Context

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
11 He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the congregations {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}; He that overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.
12 And to the angel of the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} in Pergamos write; These things, saith he, who has the sharp sword with two edges:
13 I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s throne is, and thou holdest fast my name and hast not denied my faith, even in those days in which Antipas was my faithful witness, {or martyr}, who was slain among you, where Satan dwellest.
14 But I have a few things against thee because thou hast there those that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols and to commit fornication.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010