12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write : The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this : 13 'I know where you dwell , where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name , and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas , My witness , My faithful one , who was killed among you, where Satan dwells . 14 'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam , who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel , to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality . 15 'So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans . 16 'Therefore repent ; or else I am coming to you quickly , and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth . 17 ' He who has an ear , let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches . To him who overcomes , to him I will give some of the hidden manna , and I will give him a white stone , and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Revelation 2:12-17
Commentary on Revelation 2:12-17
(Read Revelation 2:12-17)
The word of God is a sword, able to slay both sin and sinners. It turns and cuts every way; but the believer need not fear this sword; yet this confidence cannot be supported without steady obedience. As our Lord notices all the advantages and opportunities we have for duty in the places where we dwell, so he notices our temptations and discouragements from the same causes. In a situation of trials, the church of Pergamos had not denied the faith, either by open apostacy, or by giving way so as to avoid the cross. Christ commends their stedfastness, but reproves their sinful failures. A wrong view of gospel doctrine and Christian liberty, was a root of bitterness from which evil practices grew. Repentance is the duty of churches and bodies of men, as well as of particular persons; those who sin together, should repent together. Here is the promise of favour to those that overcome. The influences and comforts of the Spirit of Christ, come down from heaven into the soul, for its support. This is hidden from the rest of the world. The new name is the name of adoption; when the Holy Spirit shows his own work in the believer's soul, this new name and its real import are understood by him.