Obedience

Revelation 2:12-16
Hebrews 4:12-13
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 
2 Peter 2:1-3
Matthew 24:23-27

Recently, I asked the Lord to make the answer to a difficult decision abundantly clear. Sometimes I wish God would audibly speak His will, or maybe even supernaturally lead me to a Bible page reading, “It is time to stop doing the thing you’re questioning!” But God doesn’t often work that way. 

Usually, He speaks to us through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and His people. I can’t imagine what a gift it would be for early believers to read the words of Jesus (through the apostle John) decades after Jesus’ ascension. Those very words are still incredibly meaningful for us today. 

Jesus introduces Himself in this letter by saying, “Thus says the One who has the sharp, double-edged sword[.]” (Revelation 2:12) This introduction gives weight to everything that follows. 

Revelation 1:16 describes this sword as coming from Jesus’ mouth. Hebrews 4:12 explains, “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword[.]” The double-edged sword represents the power and authority of Jesus’ words, particularly as the Word of God. It symbolizes His ability to judge, discern, and ultimately, to execute judgment with precision and finality. Double-edged means the sword is sharp, penetrating and cutting both ways, exposing truth and condemning falsehood. 

After Jesus introduces Himself, he encourages the church of Pergamum. 

“I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” (Revelation 2:13)

I was born in Las Vegas, aka: Sin City. My mom was born and raised there, as my grandparents married and raised their family in Vegas. We know firsthand the depth of its depravity. During her life, my mom has endured trauma, pain, and loss; she is no stranger to suffering. Yet, like the church in Pergamum, she has remained faithful to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Like Sin City, Pergamum was also steeped in depravity. Besides housing several temples for different idols, Pergamum’s leaders also commanded worship of their emperor. This posed a major problem for Christians. Still, Jesus praised them because, despite their great suffering, the church in Pergamum held fast and continued to worship God alone. Their faithfulness didn’t wane even when Antipas was martyred. 

However, Jesus had stern words for the church in Pergamum as well.

This is where the shofar is blown; a manifestation of God’s voice, a calling of God’s people to gather together and listen. 

“But I have a few things against you. You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. So repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” (Revelation 2:14-16)

Wait, who are Balaam and Balak? We find them in Numbers chapters 22-25 and 31. Balaam was a non-Israelite diviner hired by Balak, a Moabite king, to curse Israel. However, every time Balaam tried to curse Israel, the Lord caused him to bless Israel instead. This, obviously, made Balak pretty mad, but Balaam had a solution. He advised Balak to have Moabite women seduce Israelite men, and turn their hearts from Yahweh. We learn the plan was successful in Numbers 31. 

Despite their faithfulness to God, there were some in Pergamum who were allowing false teaching, thereby creating a stumbling block for other believers. We know from Scripture the Lord is vehemently against false teaching. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22, 2 Peter 2:1-3) We also hear directly from Jesus in Matthew 18:6, rebuking people who cause His children to stumble.

We don’t know much about the Nicolaitans, except that Jesus hated their practices. (His words, not mine!) They were a sect who claimed to follow Jesus Christ but, clearly, did not. 

Jesus blows the Shofar horn against the false teaching happening in this church, warning of the judgement following false teaching. 

“Repent!” Jesus cries! 

This is grave. God was so serious about false teaching in the Old Testament that the prophets who spoke falsely in His name would die. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)

Here comes Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6); He holds life and death in His very hands and from His mouth comes the sharp, two-edged sword! With this sword, He has the ability to cut away both false teachers and their teachings.

Jesus blows the Shofar and calls for repentance. (Revelation 2:16) 

While Jesus was speaking directly to the church in Pergamum, we must listen. If God’s condemnation of false teaching is critical throughout all of Scripture, it is still critical today. Jesus warned us to be on our guard against false teachers (Matthew 24:23-27) and Timothy, an early Church pastor, encouraged believers to handle the word (logos) of truth correctly (2 Timothy 2:15) so we don’t become false teachers ourselves. 

The Shofar serves as a call to spiritual reflection, repentance, and renewal. 

Let us reflect
Have we responded to the initial Shofar call to follow Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh (John 1:1-5) who dwelled among humanity, lived a perfect life, and bore the wrath of God we deserve by suffering and dying on the cross? 

Let us repent
We are sinners in need of a Savior. Upon reflection, if we realize we have not responded to the initial Shofar call to follow Jesus, let us do so now! (If you’d like to talk with someone about this, drop a comment and someone from our team will reach out!)

Let us be renewed
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away and see, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Scripture tells us if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved (Romans 10:9); we will be made new! 

Let’s follow this King Jesus! 

“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
(Revelation 2:17)