Revelation 2: Letters to the churches in Pergamum and Thyatira

Read Revelation 2:12-29.

1. Revelation 2:12-17 PERGAMUM: Him who has the sharp two-edged sword

Jesus, in his manifestation to John, is described as having a sharp, two-edged sword coming from his mouth, Revelation 1:16. This description depicts Jesus as the righteous judge who would “war against them (unrepentant sinners) with the sword of my mouth” Revelation 2:16. The two-edged sword is certainly for destruction and war. See Isaiah 11:4.

But what comes out from the mouth is literally the Word of God and not a sword. The two-edged sword should then be a symbol for this word of God as we see here: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12,13.

The precious and soothing words of God and Grace that has come to us through the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ can also turn around and judge us, hence it is the two-edged sword. “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” John 12:48. Now is the time of repentance for in the last day, the same word will be ready to show no mercy on evil doers.

• Revelation 2:18-29 THYATIRA: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze

This is God’s way of telling us that His Son is now glorified.

Our Lord Jesus is here described as:

1. Son of God: Amazing, this is the first and only time Jesus is described as the Son of God in the book of Revelation. This is also the only the time the phrase ‘Son of God’ appears in the book. Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God. This glorious title reveals that Jesus must have his beginning from God his Father, he is divine even more so now that he is glorified and no longer have flesh and blood. Although he was made like us humans in every way (Hebrew 2:17; 4:15), his paternal origin is from God. Jesus was the product of the creative word of God which is God Himself!

One must have strong faith in God and in His revealed word before he can accept that Jesus is the Son of God. John wrote: “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” 1John 4:18. The majority of Christians today think that Jesus is coequal and coeternal with God. This position certainly conflicts with the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. It was this conflict that led the Roman Catholic religion to say that Jesus is ‘God the Son’ as well. The title ‘God the Son’ is not found in the Bible and it conflicts with Jesus’ status as the Son of God. It is impossible for the almighty God of the Bible to be a son. It is also blasphemous to think that Mary is the mother of God. That is why Revelation was given to the churches – to reveal the real Jesus Christ to everyone who is willing to accept only what is revealed. Note that it is very necessary that this title come up in one of the 7 revelations of Christ, else, it will not be a complete revelation of who Jesus really is.

• Eyes like a flame of fire: This is a symbol of Christ’s ability to see and search the minds and hearts of everyone and reveal their secrets, Revelation 2:23. Two scriptures come to my mind which can further explain this symbol:

“each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” 1 Corinthians 3:13. “since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8

• Feet like burnished bronze: Looks like burnished or polished bronze but not necessarily that. The appearance of Christ’s feet as this heavy metallic alloy might be a depiction of him ready to trample down his enemies. This kind of feet will be most suitable to crush the serpent’s head and every form of opposition to God’s plan for mankind and the world. Bronze is also said to be a symbol of the flesh. Here, his feet were like burnished bronze, which some commentators think refers to the immortalised nature of Christ.