The Letter to the Church at Pergamos: A Description of Christ
"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword." (Revelation 2:12 - New King James Version)
Pergamon was an ancient city on the river Caicus in modern day Turkey. Today it is known by the name Bergama. The river is now called Bakir. This city was important both before and after the Romans ruled it. Under the Romans, it was the capital of a province.
The Church at Pergamon was the third church to which Christ told John to write. I am dividing our study of each of Christ's letters into five parts: a description of Christ, His comments on the church, a promise to overcomers, the prophetic meaning and an application for today. This posting will consider the description of Christ in the letter to the church at Pergamon.
Like all the other letters, this one is addressed to the angel of the church. This refers to the Pastor of the church. He is God's chosen messenger to the local congregation.
Jesus presents Himself as having a two-edged sword. This sword speaks of the judgment of Christ. He is able to punish those who deny the Faith.
The Church at Pergamon was suffering persecution. Some were beginning to compromise. They feared the sword of man. Jesus reminds them that He carries a sword as well. We should not fear man who can only destroy our physical bodies; we should fear God Who has power over body and soul!
Jesus said, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)
Pergamon was an ancient city on the river Caicus in modern day Turkey. Today it is known by the name Bergama. The river is now called Bakir. This city was important both before and after the Romans ruled it. Under the Romans, it was the capital of a province.
The Church at Pergamon was the third church to which Christ told John to write. I am dividing our study of each of Christ's letters into five parts: a description of Christ, His comments on the church, a promise to overcomers, the prophetic meaning and an application for today. This posting will consider the description of Christ in the letter to the church at Pergamon.
Like all the other letters, this one is addressed to the angel of the church. This refers to the Pastor of the church. He is God's chosen messenger to the local congregation.
Jesus presents Himself as having a two-edged sword. This sword speaks of the judgment of Christ. He is able to punish those who deny the Faith.
The Church at Pergamon was suffering persecution. Some were beginning to compromise. They feared the sword of man. Jesus reminds them that He carries a sword as well. We should not fear man who can only destroy our physical bodies; we should fear God Who has power over body and soul!
Jesus said, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)
posted by David Frank Wilson | 6:23 AM
1 Comments:
Thank you for your thoughts on Revelation, and I look forward to following this thread. I hope you will also bring the old testament scriptures into the discussion when they seem to apply to future events as well. Take a look at
http://landofcanaan.info/book.php
and let me know what you think about this approach. Thanks.
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